Ultimate Guide to Summer Festivals in Kansai: A Must-Have for Your Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe Trip
Last updated 2026-09-24 — The Gion Festival, Tenjin Festival, and Mimikko Festival... Japan’s summer festivals kick off one after another starting in July. Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, one of the city’s three great festivals, is also one of Japan’s most iconic celebrations, lasting a full month. Alongside the Gion Festival, which is...
By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, compiled and reported by Ren Xiang
The Gion Festival, Tenjin Festival, and Mimikko Festival... Japan’s summer festivals begin appearing one after another from July. Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, one of the city’s three great festivals, is also one of Japan’s most representative celebrations, spanning an entire month. Alongside the Gion Festival, Osaka’s Tenjin Festival—also counted among Japan’s top three festivals—attracts over a million visitors each year. Join the “Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Osaka & Kobe” app on a journey through Kansai to experience the beauty of festival culture.
The “Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Osaka & Kobe” not only provides detailed introductions to attractions by area but also offers in-depth coverage of Kansai through vertical themes such as festivals, trains, and ancient cities (Image credit: Ink Publishing Editorial Department)
● Gion Festival
This year’s Gion Festival kicks off on July 1 around Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine and Kawaramachi-Sanjo Street, running for a full month. The “Yoiyama” preliminary festivities take place from July 14–16, while the grand “Yamaboko Junko” parade is on July 17. Visitors can take the Hankyu Railway to Kawaramachi Station.
This year’s Gion Festival runs for a month starting July 1 around Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine and Kawaramachi-Sanjo Street (Image credit: Ink Publishing Editorial Department)
● Tenjin Festival
The Tenjin Festival takes place on July 24 and 25 at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine. Visitors can take the JR Osaka Higashi-Namba Station via the Osaka Metro Chuo Line to Temmangu or the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line to Kitahama Station.
The Tenjin Festival attracts over a million visitors annually and is counted among Japan’s three great festivals, alongside the Kyoto Gion Festival and Tokyo’s Kanda Festival. With a history of over a thousand years, the festival centers on the “Land Procession” and “Boat Procession” on July 25. The “Land Procession” is a street parade, while the “Boat Procession” features ceremonial boats sailing along the water. This tradition originated during the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi when Osaka Castle was being constructed. Many of Osaka’s business organizations, major stores, and merchant associations organize their own decorative boats to join the water parade. Not only do they compete in boat size and ornamentation, but participants also beat drums, cheer, sing, and dance, turning the river into a full-blown carnival. When fireworks light up the sky, spectators along the riverbanks and bridges, as well as those on the boats, are all swept up in the excitement.
The Tenjin Festival takes place on July 24 and 25 at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine (Image credit: Ink Publishing Editorial Department)
MOOK’s self-guided travel app, the “Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Osaka & Kobe,” not only provides detailed introductions to attractions by area but also delves into Kansai’s unique features such as festivals, trains, and ancient cities for a comprehensive guide to the region. From July 8 to July 14, purchasing the “Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Osaka & Kobe” app comes with triple bonuses—
Bonus 1: Enjoy a 50% discount when purchasing during the campaign period.
Bonus 2: Show your app purchase ID at the designated link to buy the physical book “Kyoto, Osaka & Kobe Complete Guide 2013–2014” at a special price of 295 JPY (original price 399 JPY).
Bonus 3: Readers who purchase the “Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Osaka & Kobe” app will also be entered into a draw to win “Japan Railway Travel.”
MOOK’s self-guided travel app, the “Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Osaka & Kobe,” offers triple bonuses from July 8 to July 14 (Image credit: Ink Publishing Editorial Department)
The “Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Osaka & Kobe” app and the physical book “Kyoto, Osaka & Kobe Complete Guide 2013–2014” together elevate your travel experience to the next level. Before your trip or while staying at your hotel, you can take your time reading the book to plan your itinerary. On the go, simply use your phone to easily access information, eliminating the hassle of carrying bulky guidebooks. This new experience allows travelers to explore the city’s distinctive attractions with ease and immerse themselves in the diverse charm of foreign cultures.
MOOK Self-Guided Travel App—Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Osaka & Kobe:
https://itunes.apple.com/tw/app/id495070783
● Extended Reading: Experience American Culture with the “Complete USA West Self-Guided Travel” App
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