8-12 January Ebisu Shrine, A festival dedicated to Ebisu, the God of business and prosperity. Mochi is distributed to participants and onlookers can watch kagura and bugaku dancing. 14 January Hadaka Odori Two groups of bare-chested men push each other amid cries of “chorai, chorai” (Buddha have mercy on me) to pray for prosperity and good harvests. Second Monday in January Toshi-ya This festival coincides with Coming of Age Day. Over 1,000 archers in traditional costume line up to shoot arrows at a target 120m away along the length of the 11 February Agon Shu Hoshi Festival (Fire Rites Festival) Yamashina, This festival involves the lighting of two massive bonfires and millions or prayer sticks. There is also a procession of the relics thought to belong to the historic Buddha. 25 February Baikasai Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, A tea party held among the blossoming plum trees. 3 March Hina (Doll) Festival The Doll Festival has its roots in an ancient Chinese purification ceremony whereby evil was transferred to doll “surrogates”, which were then thrown into a river. 3 March Hina (Doll) Festival Participants wear models of doll’s traditional clothing 3 March Hina (Doll) Festival Dolls are floated along the river that runs through the shrine to pray for children’s good health 1-30 April Miyako Odori Kobu Kaburenjo Theatre, This festival offers a rare chance to see geisha perform traditional dances and music. Tickets must be purchased in advance. 11 April Yasurai Festival This festival dates back to a ninth century plague. Approximately thirty people dress in traditional costume and carry a decorated canopy with four “demons”. When the procession stops, observers rush under the canopy to protect themselves from ill-health. 25 April Shinkosai Matsuo Taisha Shrine, This festival dates back over one thousand years and is dedicated to the god of sake-brewing. There is a procession whereby participants hold masks of the god on long sticks. 15 May Aoi Festival Kamigamo Shrine, The Aoi Festival is a solemn and formal parade that dates back over 1,000 years and involves approximately 500 people wearing Heian Period (794-1192) clothing. An ox-drawn cart travels from the 3rd Sunday in May Mifune Boat Festival Arashiyama Kyoto Thirty boats travel upstream on the Oi River carrying people wearing traditional dress of the Heian Period (794-1192). The first three boats carry people performing noh dramas, gagaku musicians and shrine maidens. Groups of poets wearing ancient ceremonial robes compose and recite verses of haiku (17 syllables). 1-2 June Takigi Noh Performance Heian Shrine, Torches illuminate the stage for performances of noh until around 15 June Aoba Festival Chisaku-in, This festival celebrates the birth of Kobo Daishi (774-835), who founded the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. During this festival, priests and mountain ascetics wear traditional clothing for a series of purification rituals and a fire ceremony. 20 June Takeiri Eshiki Festival Kuramadera, A bamboo-cutting festival involving two teams of monks that race to cut four bamboo poles into three pieces. The bamboo poles represent evil serpents. Gion Festival 17 July Yasaka Shrine, 7-10 August Touki Festival Gojo District, This is 16 August Toro Nagashi Festival This festival features over 10,000 paper lanterns that are floated across the bay with a spectacular fireworks display. 16 August Daimonji Bonfire Mt Nyoigadake, This festival features a spectacular bonfire that is lit near the summit of Mt Nyoigadake. The bonfire is shaped like the Chinese character for large, with other, smaller bonfires of Chinese characters being lit on nearby mountains. 16 August Mando Nagashi Festival This festival features the floating of festival lanterns across the bay with 23-24 August Sento Kuyo This festival is a memorial service for the graves of people who have no surviving family members. Candles and lanterns are lit for each of the temple’s 8,000 graves. Only 2,000 people are admitted each day and reservations are required. 5 September Hassaku-sai Matsuo-Taisha Shrine, This festival features rituals, sumo wrestling and Buddhist dance to ask the gods for good weather, healthy harvests and home safety. 9 September Karasu-zumo Kamigamo Shrine, Shinto priests perform rituals of hopping from side to side and cawing like crows. Following this, local boys have sumo wrestling competitions 22 October Jidai Festival Heian Jingu Shrine, This festival features a parade of over 1,700 participants that represent significant figures from Japanese history. The parade lasts five hours and is one of the most spectacular parades of Mid November Momiji Festival Arashiyama, Five Heian Period (794-1192) style decorated boats filled with people in period dress sail across the water in this aquatic parade. The parade is accompanied by traditional music, noh recitations and dance. 15 November Shichi-Go-San Festival Nationwide Children age three, five and seven years are dressed in kimono and taken to shrines to pray for their future health and good fortune. 14 December 47 Ronin Festival This festival commemorates the 47 Ronin with people wearing traditional costume walking from 21 December Shimai Kobo This is the final market of the year that honors Kobo Daishi, with over 1,600 stalls selling local food and antiques. 25 December Shimai Tenjin Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, |
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