What else is there besides the Gion Festival? The 3 must-see summer night festivals in Kyoto

Reported by You T&R / Comprehensive coverage

As summer arrives, a series of important festivals in Kyoto also begin. In addition to the key “Gion Festival,” there are 3 major summer-only festivals that visitors to Kyoto should not miss: Tanabata (the Star Festival), Gozan no Okuribi (the Five Mountain Fires), and the Fushimi Inari Taisha “Honmiya Festival.” These events all take on a different hue at night, adding vibrancy and romance to the otherwise sweltering city.

%tech> Kyoto’s Tanabata, a romantic night scene. (Photo / Kyoto Tanabata Executive Committee, Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau, J&T CONTENTS Inc.)


1. Kyoto Tanabata
Kyoto’s Tanabata combines traditional elements of the festival with modern technology to stage various celebratory events throughout the city. To reflect upon the deeper meaning behind the ancient tradition of making sincere wishes once a year, a modern version of the festival unique to Kyoto is held at two locations: the Horikawa venue and the Kamo River venue. Highlights include an “avenue of light” created with LED lights forming a “galaxy of light,” illuminated visual displays, and lanterns floating along the Kamo River.

Event dates: August 1–10, 2015
Lighting time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Venue: Horikawa venue – Imadegawa Street to Mibu Street / Kamo River venue – Mibudori Bridge to Shijo Bridge

A variety of events are also held during the festival. (Photo / Kyoto Tanabata Executive Committee, Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau, J&T CONTENTS Inc.)


2. Gozan no Okuribi
Gozan no Okuribi is one of Kyoto’s four major traditional events and, together with the Gion Festival, is considered one of the quintessential sights of Kyoto’s summer. The most famous fire is the “Daimonji” (great character) on Mount Daimonji in Higashiyama, which has become synonymous with the event. Other notable fires include the “Hidari Daimonji” (left Daimonji) on Mount Daimonji in Kitayama, near Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion); the “Myoho” (wonderful dharma) combining the characters for “Myo” on Mount Myoho in Matsugasaki (Mount Daikokuten) and “Ho” on Mount Hokuzan (Mount Mandoro, also known as the Ten Thousand Lantern Mountain); the “Funagata” (boat shape) on Mount Funagata in Saga; and the “Toriigata” (torii gate shape) on Mount Sanko in Saga, near Manjo Temple. On the evenings of August 16, these fires create a spectacular sight known as Kyoto’s “mountain fireworks.”
Daimonji: Higashiyama (Mount Daimonji)
Myoho: Myo – Mount Myoho in Matsugasaki (Mount Daikokuten), Ho – Mount Hokuzan in Matsugasaki (Mount Mandoro)
Funagata: Mount Funagata in Saga
Hidari Daimonji: Mount Daimonji near Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Toriigata: Mount Sanko in Saga (Mount Mandoro)
A spectacular sight. (Photo / Kyoto Tanabata Executive Committee, Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau, J&T CONTENTS Inc.)


3. Fushimi Inari Taisha “Honmiya Festival”
Ranked No. 1 on TripAdvisor’s “2014 Travelers’ Choice Top Japan Attractions for Foreign Tourists,” Fushimi Inari Taisha hosts an annual festival called the “Honmiya Festival,” where thousands of lanterns are lit. Already immensely popular both in Japan and abroad, the shrine takes on an even more mystical atmosphere during this time.

Event dates: July 19–20, 2015
Event times: Yoiyama Festival (eve): July 19, 6:00 PM – / Honmiya Festival: July 20, 9:00 AM –
Venue: Fushimi Inari Taisha