Kyoto: Events & Festivals in August 2024
If you are interested in Summer in Kyoto, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Summer in Kyoto as much as possible.
Takashi Nakadomari
Event Information for August
Gozan Okuribi
source：Official website
Kyoto Gozan Okuribi is a traditional event held annually on August 16th. To send off the spirits of ancestors welcomed during Obon, giant fire characters are lit on five mountains in Kyoto city.
The first lighting occurs around 8 PM, with the character "Dai" (大) appearing on Higashiyama near Ginkakuji. Among the five mountains, this "Dai" character is the most famous, and Kyoto Gozan Okuribi is also known as "Daimonji-yaki". Each mountain is lit at 5-minute intervals, lasting about 30 minutes. The red flames burning in the dark sky create a poetic atmosphere, making it a quintessential Kyoto event.
While the best viewing points differ for each bonfire, you can see all of them from Kyoto Tower or the upper floors of some hotels. On the night of the event, the area is filled with food stalls and people walking in yukata, creating a lively atmosphere.
Kitano Tanabata Festival
source：Kyo-No-Tanabata
The Kitano Tanabata Festival, held in early August at Kitano Tenmangu, is an important traditional ritual. The shrine grounds are decorated with bamboo branches hanging colorful paper strips, creating a festive atmosphere. It's especially magical at night when illuminated, so I always choose to visit during the lighting hours.
From August 2nd to 18th, the "Mitarai-gawa Ashitsuke Tomyou Shinji" ritual for warding off evil is held from 9 AM to 8 PM, with a participation fee of 500 yen. Tourists can participate, so please give it a try.
From August 9th to 12th, the inner sanctum of the national treasure main hall is open to the public, with an admission fee of 1,000 yen.
During the event period, a Japanese sweets tea house opens, and in the evening, you can enjoy traditional Japanese music performances such as taiko drums and Shinobue flutes. The Kitano Tanabata Festival is a valuable opportunity to experience Japanese culture, not just as a tourist attraction.
Nagoshi Shinji
Nagoshi Shinji is a traditional ritual held at Shimogamo Jinja Shrine in northern Kyoto city. It takes place on the eve of the beginning of autumn each year, aiming to ward off misfortune and pray for health. It's also known as "Yatori Shinji".
The main event involves men in their unlucky years competing for arrows. At the signal of scattering paper cutouts called "Hitogata" for warding off evil, naked men jump into a pond and compete for 50 arrows erected in the center. The sight of numerous Hitogata fluttering is like a flurry of flower petals, creating a moment of both power and beauty.
These arrows are believed to bring good fortune and can be purchased by tourists. The 2024 Nagoshi Shinji is scheduled for August 6th, with the ritual starting around 6:30 PM and the arrow-grabbing taking place around 7 PM. This event is free to watch, but the arrow-grabbing event is over in an instant, so don't miss it!
Hanase no Matsuage
Hanase no Matsuage is a traditional event passed down in mountain villages to pray for protection from fire and good harvests. It's held at Atago Shrine, which enshrines the god of fire prevention.
The event begins with the simultaneous lighting of about a thousand torches in a large square. Then, torches are thrown one after another towards a canopy attached to the top of a tall tree about 20 meters high. The sight of the red arcs of fire drawn in the night sky is captivating. The vigorous shouts of the men competing to light the fire and the sound of drums further enliven the atmosphere. Finally, the event climaxes as the burning tall tree is felled.
In 2024, it's scheduled to be held around 9 PM on August 15th. Viewing is free, but as the venue is a bit far from central Kyoto, it's difficult to return to the city center by public transportation after the event. I recommend using a taxi or rental car when visiting.
Kiyomizudera Sennichi Mairi & Yoi Mairi
source：Official website
Kiyomizudera Sennichi Mairi & Yoi Mairi is a special pilgrimage day held at the famous tourist spot, Kiyomizudera Temple. It's said that visiting during this period brings the same benefits as visiting for a thousand days.
The Sennichi Mairi is from August 9th to 16th, 9 AM to 5 PM, with an admission fee of 300 yen. During this period, you can also visit the inner sanctum of the main hall, which is usually off-limits.
I recommend the period from August 14th to 16th when you can visit until 9 PM. Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, leading from Gion to Kiyomizudera, are illuminated, creating a quintessential Kyoto atmosphere. As you approach Kiyomizudera, the Niōmon gate and three-story pagoda appear, burning red in the night sky, overwhelming you with their majestic appearance and dignity.
Finally, enjoy a moment of elegance viewing the night scenery of the ancient capital from Kiyomizudera's stage. Kiyomizudera's Sennichi Mairi is truly an unmissable event that can be enjoyed multiple times in one visit.
If you are interested in Kiyomizu Dera Temple, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
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Arashiyama Tōrō Nagashi
Arashiyama Tōrō Nagashi is a traditional event held on the night of August 16th, the same day as Gozan Okuribi, near Togetsukyō Bridge in Arashiyama. To commemorate the spirits of the deceased, lanterns with their names written on them are floated down the river. Watching the lanterns gently flickering with soft light as they flow down the darkened river brings a sense of peace. The sight of the lanterns slowly descending the river looks like boats heading to heaven.
The event is held from 7 PM to 9 PM and is free to watch. Lanterns can be purchased for 1,200 yen each, so feel free to float your own lantern if you're interested.
Please note that lanterns may not be floated in case of inclement weather. From Nakanoshima Park, where reception is held, you can also view "Torii-gata", one of the Gozan Okuribi fires lit around 8:20 PM. Please enjoy these two atmospheric summer scenes of Kyoto together.
If you are interested in Arashiyama, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Arashiyama as much as possible.
Takashi Nakadomari
NAKED Summer Festival 2024 World Heritage Site Nijo Castle / Nijo Castle
source：KYOTO SANGYO UNIVERSITY
NAKED Summer Festival 2024 World Heritage Site Nijo Castle is a summer festival utilizing digital art, set in Nijo Castle at night. The castle is adorned with elaborate illuminations, featuring dynamic projection mapping shows and digital stalls with various tricks that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. This year, a new dance stage has been added, promising even more excitement!
Ticket prices vary depending on age and purchase timing. Adult same-day tickets are 1,800 yen on weekdays and 2,200 yen on weekends. Don't miss the authentic ninja show set in Nijo Castle. Eat, play, and dance at Nijo Castle and fully enjoy the Japanese summer.
This is the summer event I'm looking forward to the most this year, and I'm already excited!
If you are interested in Nijo Castle, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
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Saga Tennōsai
Saga Tennōsai is an event held at Umenomiya Taisha, a shrine known for granting wishes for conception and safe childbirth. It's held on the last Sunday of August every year, with 2024's event scheduled for August 25th. This event is to reminisce and show respect to Emperor Saga (who contributed to the cultural development of Kyoto) enshrined in this shrine.
The festival features a children's sumo event starting at 9:30 AM, in honor of Emperor Saga's fondness for sumo. Later, there are percussion and brass band performances around 4 PM, followed by a traditional performance called "Rokusai Nembutsu" from around 9 PM, and finally concluding with bon dancing.
The Rokusai Nembutsu, in particular, is impressively powerful despite being free to watch. Many food stalls are set up near the venue, creating a casual and friendly atmosphere. Why not casually enjoy traditional Japanese performing arts in a festive mood?
Shimogamo Nōryō Kofuku Matsuri / Shimogamo Shrine - Tadasu-no-Mori (Kyoto)
source：Official website
Shimogamo Nōryō Kofuku Matsuri is an event held in Tadasu-no-Mori on the grounds of Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto. Twenty-seven secondhand bookstores from within and outside the prefecture set up shop, displaying about 800,000 used books of various genres, including paperbacks, magazines, academic books, picture books, antique books, movie pamphlets, and posters. For a book lover like me, it's a dream event, and time flies by as I search for hidden gems.
Tadasu-no-Mori, the venue, is as large as three Tokyo Domes, allowing for the luxurious experience of reading newly purchased books in the midst of nature.
This year's event is held from August 11th to 16th, from 10 AM to 6 PM, with free admission. You might stumble upon an unexpected fateful book if you drop by casually between sightseeing.
Gojo Wakamiya Toki Matsuri
source：Souda Kyoto、Ikou
Gojo, known for its thriving pottery industry since ancient times and as the birthplace of Kiyomizu-yaki, a Kyoto craft. The Gojo Wakamiya Toki Matsuri is a historical festival that began around 1920 in this area. About 70 shops are set up on the sidewalk from Yamato-oji to Higashi-oji on Gojo Street, and pottery is also planned to be sold in the precincts of Wakamiya Hachimangu and neighboring shops. After a long suspension due to the coronavirus, this year marks the long-awaited revival of street shops.
Kiyomizu-yaki, one of Kyoto's traditional crafts, as well as unique works by individual artists and pottery from various regions will be gathered. It's also pleasing that both daily use items and artistic pottery can be purchased at prices lower than market value.
The pottery festival is held from August 7th to 10th, open all day from 10 AM to 10 PM. It's a recommended event not only for pottery enthusiasts but also for those who want to experience Japanese culture and traditions.
Points to Note for Correctly Enjoying Kyoto's Culture and Events
While Kyoto fascinates tourists from around the world, its popularity has also led to numerous tourism-related issues. Each country has different cultures, customs, and manners. What's considered correct behavior in your own country might be a breach of manners in another, so be cautious.
For example, disposing of used toilet paper in a trash can or walking spread out across the street are taboo in Japan.
Especially in Kyoto, where there are many sacred festivals and events, it's even more important to be mindful of manners. When visiting shrines and temples or participating in traditional events, don't forget to be considerate of other participants and residents.
If you are interested in Temples and Shrines, check the article below! I summarized Temples and Shrines I recommend and how I felt each Temples and Shrines.
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