A Must-Visit for Couples: The “Kyoto Tanabata Festival” – Introducing New Venues!

Japan hosts a variety of festivals every year, and among the most famous, the Kyoto Tanabata Festival is definitely on the list. During this romantic festival of Tanabata, legend has it that if you write your wishes on small strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches as decoration,then make a wish to the stars, your wish will come true.

This year, the Kyoto Tanabata Festival will be held from8 May6 Dayto12 Day,,in addition tothe traditionalHorikawa and Kamo River venues,visitors can also explorenew spots such asKitano Kamigamo River, Nijo Castle, Umekoji, Okazaki,and the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Gardenvenues,experiencinga dreamy world created by bambooandlight,andallowingvisitors to immerse themselves in the unique Tanabata atmosphere of Kyoto.The Nijo Castle venue is opening for the first time.visitors experienced Kyoto’s unique Tanabata (Star Festival) atmosphere.guests get to experience Kyoto’s unique Tanabata atmosphere.

Nijo Castle venue opens to the public for the first time

Among them, Nijo Castle, one of Kyoto’s most culturally significant surviving historical gardens, will open to the public for the first time this year, allowing visitors to admire its serene, shadowy garden bathed in a play of light and shadow.

Dates: August 3 (Wednesday) – August 15 (Monday)
Lighting hours: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM (latest entry at 9:00 PM)
Location: World Heritage Site Nijo Castle (former detached palace) ※Admission fee required

Kitano Kamigamo-gawa Venue Ritual Ceremony Makes Its Debut

In addition, the ritual ceremony at the main shrine of the Kitano Kamigamo-gawa venue will also be unveiled to the public for the first time, featuring an exhibition of traditional Japanese formal attire.

Dates: August 12 – August 14
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Price: 1,000 yen per incense offering

When it comes to the venues of the Kyoto Tanabata Festival, the Kamo River and Horikawa River venues are two classics that simply can’t be missed. This year, the Kamo River venue will feature wind chime lanterns and a theme of bamboo and light, while the Horikawa venue will display traditional Tanabata bamboo decorations along both sides of the river, adorned with “wishes” written by local children.The paper slips are equally charming.

Image source: Kyo no Tanabata Planning Committee