What's up in Kyoto

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What's up in Kyoto

What is happening in Kyoto today? Festivals, dance, music, performance, exhibitions... it's all here!
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There are so many great events in Kyoto only the locals know of (and sometimes not even they) - let’s change that for good! We are a group of English speakers from Kyoto, ready to tear down the Japanese language barrier for you. Traditional ceremonies in the thousands of shrines and temples, interesting exhibitions in the best museums in town, exciting concerts and performances... noh and anime, B

uddhist prayers and butoh, gagaku and J-pop, we know them all! We pick one event/day to post on facebook, and two different events per week are up on twitter. For a real deep-dive into the Kyoto event scene, you should visit the main calendar on our homepage: whatsupinkyoto.com/calendar/

We also have pages about hotels, restaurants, souvenirs, experiences... There’s a lot to do and see in Kyoto - have fun! And for a sneak peek into the next month, sign up for our monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gN9vYj

PS: If you know of a Kyoto event that we missed, you can enter it into the calendar yourself through this page: whatsupinkyoto.com/yourevent/

23/07/2024

It's Gion Matsuri - and super busy day #2!

From 9:30, the ato parade is on: 11 yamaboko floats that have been built the last week are taken round the inner city through Oike - Kawaramachi- Shijo dori. Catch them at the crossings where they'll have to make a 90 degree turn with the help of manpower - and wet bamboo...
Directly afterwards follows the hanagasa parade with 10 colorful flower-decorated umbrellas. It departs from Yasaka shrine at 10:00, goes through Shijo - Teramachi - Oike - Kawaramachi dori and returns to Yasaka shrine at around 11:45. Don't miss the dances that are taking place along the route!

In the evening, from 17:00, the three mikoshi of Yasaka shrine depart the otabisho at Shijo dori to return to Yasaka shrine. This kanko-sai parade ends at around midnight at the shrine, when the gods are transferred to their usual home in complete darkness.

More info and details about the route in our highlight post here: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

22/07/2024

Last day for the yoiyama of the Gion Matsuri Ato parade!

Don't miss the opportunity to visit the yamaboko and get a close-up of their decorations (plus some souvenirs). Also, some local machiya are open as well and show off their treasures.
The Chiso- 千總 - is one of Kyoto's oldest kimono merchants and explains in its gallery different view points on byobu folding screens. This exhibition at least is on until September 29.

21/07/2024

It's yoiyama part II!

The Ato Matsuri parade of Gion Matsuri is on Wednesday, and today and tomorrow, you can visit the floats that will be taking part. This is a smaller, more quiet version of the yoiyama, but the yamaboko are just as beautiful as the first time around!
Enter the large hoko floats or pray to the gods at the smaller yama floats; souvenirs are available at both!

A map to find all the floats is here: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

20/07/2024

Freebie of the Week!
Gion's geiko and maiko play a part every year at the Gion Matsuri - after all, Yasaka Shrine (which was once called Gion-sha) is their "home" shrine and this its major festival.

Enjoy a concert of traditional music performed by local geiko and maiko in the stunning old annex of 京都文化博物館 The Museum of KYOTO.
Start is at 12:00.

Find out more about Yasaka Shrine on our website here: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

19/07/2024

Get ready for part II of Gion Matsuri!

Now is the time when the yamaboko for the later Ato Parade are constructed. Today and tomorrow, there are again trial pullings to see that everything holds up nicely for the parade on July 24. While on the parade only men take the lead(s) - it takes several hours after all - anybody can help with the trial pulling. It is even said to bring luck, so...

For a map of where to find the yamaboko, see our highlight post here:
https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

18/07/2024

Gion Matsuri Part II!

The construction of the yamaboko floats for the second, the ato matsuri parade (July 24) starts today in their respective communities.
Take the time and watch them grow, held together by nothing more than traditional straw ropes.

A map of where to find the floats is here: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

17/07/2024

Need a break from Gion Matsuri?

Head over to 無鄰菴 Murin-an, a lovely old villa with beautiful garden worth a visit in any season - no wonder, it's one of Kyoto's "Places of Scenic Beauty" with its borrowed landscape from the Higashiyama Mountains.

Today, there's one more reason to go: The Yes,... Noh! performance where short excerpts of Noh plays are staged in the garden. Start is at 9:00.

16/07/2024

It's Gion Matsuri - and super busy day #1!

From 9:00, the saki parade is on: 23 yamaboko floats that have been built the last week are taken round the inner city through Shijo - Kawaramachi - Oike dori. Catch them at the crossings where they'll have to make a 90 degree turn. Did I mention they have no steering wheels?

In the evening, from 18:00, the three mikoshi of Yasaka shrine depart with the gods on board. They are taken on three different routes to the otabisho on Shijo/Teramachi, where the gods will reside among their worshippers for the next week. Do drop by and say hello! ;-)

More info and details about the route in our highlight post here: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

15/07/2024

Last day, sorry: night, of yoiyama!

Celebrate Gion Matsuri with food and drinks and visit the yamaboko as they get ready for the first parade tomorrow. This particular one on Shijo dori is the Naginata Hoko. It will lead the saki parade tomorrow with the chigo sacred boy on board.

More info: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

14/07/2024

It's yoiyama!

On the second day of the biggest party in Japan, drop by at the byobu matsuri. During this time, Kyoto's wealthy kimono merchants show their treasures - like byobu folding screens - and you have the unique opportunity to explore the beautiful machiya town houses they built.

Today and tomorrow; byobu matsuri is on during the day as well.

For more things to do during Gion Matsuri's yoiyama, see our highlight here:
https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

13/07/2024

It's Gion Matsuri!
And tonight starts the yoiyama party: on the three nights before the first parade, the inner city of Kyoto turns into a pedestrian party zone. Visit all the yamaboko floats, try out the food stalls and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere!

Special tip for tonight: The short performances of traditional dances and music at the Iwatoyama float in honor of the gods.
Start is at 17:00 and 18:00, respectively.

Tomorrow from 17:00, children from the neighbourhood perform traditional summer dances.

12/07/2024

BATI-HOLIC, Japan's one and only taiko drum rock band, celebrate their 20th anniversary! Come for an energizing evening with unique rock music created with traditional Japanese instruments.

At the TakuTaku, start is at 18:00.

Find out more about the TakuTaku, one of the top music venues in Japan:
https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

11/07/2024

Muscle up for Gion Matsuri and help with the trial pulling of the great yamaboko for the first parade next week. Everybody can participate, it's even said to be lucky...

Today and tomorrow at the respective communities. Most yamaboko for the first parade are being constructed northwest of the Shijo-Karasuma crossing.

More info and a list of other events: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

10/07/2024

It's Gion Matsuri - and the preparations for the first parade are in full swing! Until July 14, the yamaboko floats that take part in the Saki Matsuri Parade on the 17th are constructed. Watch the large Hoko floats grow in their respective communities - up to 12 tons of wood and tapestries, and not a single nail!

Most yamaboko for the Saki Matsuri are built to the northwest of the Shijo-Karasuma crossing.

Find out more: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

09/07/2024

Gion Matsuri starts for real today!

Kyoto's Gion Matsuri that lasts throughout July is one of the three great festivals of Japan. Today, there are the first big events:
- Omukae Chochin Welcoming Lanterns (from 16:30 at Yasaka Shrine)
A long parade of children dressed in traditional clothing accompanied by adults in summer kimono departs from Yasaka Shrine and walks along Shijo dori and Kawaramachi dori.

- Mikoshi Arai Purification (from 19:00 at Yasaka Shrine)
Mikoshi are portable shrines, where the deities of Yasaka Shrine reside during the main part of Gion Matsuri. The three mikoshi of Yasaka shrine are carried to Shijo Bridge where they will be purified with water from the river. Just before the mikoshi, men with heavy torches, several meters long, will pass through the street to purify it.

For more info about the many events of Gion Matsuri, see our highlight here:
https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

08/07/2024

Every year, Senbon Shakado Temple holds a Pottery Memorial Ceremony where people offer thanks for the pottery items they are using daily.
During this festival, there is also a pottery market, where you can buy everything ceramic related: tea and sake bowls, plates, vases, or just cute little pieces for friends and family.

ceremony: July 10 from 14:00,
market: from July 9 - 12, 10:00 - 20:00

07/07/2024

Ramp up your energy before Gion Matsuri starts at the 京都growly
Tonight, the Forever Miles stop over on their Japan tour; they are supported by the local Atomic stooges, DISTRESS, and Jose.

Start is at 19:00.
The Growly has been rocking Kyoto's music scene for 12 years now, find out more in our highlight post here: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

06/07/2024

It's the tanabata festival, the one night when the (literally) star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi are allowed to meet!

Celebrate the love festival (and look for a partner yourself if you're so inclined) at shrines and temples in Kyoto, for example:
- Kifune Shrine (ceremony from 13:00)
- Shiramine Shrine (ceremony from 13:30)
- Kodai-ji temple (from 17:00 with a lightup)
- Matsunoo Shrine (lightup from 18:30)

In case you miss it today, Kifune Shrine celebrates Tanabata with a lightup until August 15.

05/07/2024

The Sochiro-no-kai brings young players of noh and kyogen to the stage at the Kyoto Kanze Noh Theater - 京都観世会館（能楽堂）.
In their 10th performance, you are treated to the plays Shunsei Tadanori and Mochizuki, among shorter excerpts and a kyogen.

Today from 14:00.

04/07/2024

The Ikedaya incident and the Kinmont incident were two of the most violent fights that happened in the center of Kyoto just before the Meiji Restoration. Both of them involved the Shinsengumi, famous police forces of Kyoto on the side of the Shogunate.

The Ryozen Museum of History presents historic materials about the Shinsengumi and the turmoil in Kyoto in their summer exhibition until September 8.

03/07/2024

Do you know the term "Chanbara"? These are sword fighting / samurai films, a subgenre of Japanese jidaigeki period dramas.

Denjiro Okochi, Chiezo Kataoka, Kanjuro Arashi, Tsumasaburo Bando, Kazuo Hasegawa, and Utaemon Ichikawa, were considered the six greatest stars of period dramas in their younger days. 京都文化博物館 The Museum of KYOTO celebrates their legacy with 18 films - all of them chanbara, of course - throughout July.

02/07/2024

Tanukidanisan Fudoin Temple is located high up in the Higashiyama mountains in the eastern part of Kyoto. On top of many stone steps lies a small and secluded temple with a unique atmosphere.
Today is the sacred fire service, where prayer sticks with people's wishes are ritually burned before the statue of Fudō Myō’ō. You can take part in this service starting from 11:00.

For more info about this temple and its connection to Miyamoto Musashi, see our highlight post here: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

01/07/2024

Tentoku-in, founded in the 14th century, is a Zen temple and part of Tofukuji in the south-east of Kyoto. The main feature of this temple is the large karesansui Zen-garden which was created all the way back in the 16th century.
It's also known as the bellflower temple for its purple and white bellflowers which are in bloom right now!

Take advantage of the special summer admission to Tentoku-in - until July 17!

30/06/2024

Happy July - Happy Gion Matsuri Month!

July in Kyoto equals Gion Matsuri. What more is there to say? Well, quite a lot, actually, with plenty of other summery events in town.

- Let's get it out of the way: Gion Matsuri's two big parades are on July 17 and 24. Many smaller events and religious ceremonies are leading up to these, a rough overview is here: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

- Right in between sit two "Candlelight Concerts" at the Kanze Noh Theater. One features movie soundtracks for the whole family, the other is all about classical music. (July 21)

- Birds are singing at the Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts and Culture - literally! Their summer exhibition on bird paintings features QR codes with birdsong, and real hawks make a special live appearance later in the month. (exhibition from July 13, hawking day July 28)

- It may get noisy at the Museum of Kyoto too - with their exhibition on Giant Robots. Explore the Core of Japanese Mecha Anime that started all the way back in the 1960s. (from July 6)

- Significantly more quiet are the evenings at the Mitsui Shimogamo Villa. Explore the beautiful old house and its gardens in their summer lightup in the weekends (3./4. weekend in July)

- To relax after a day (or month) full of Gion Matsuri-related events, take a break at Kamishichiken. The geiko and maiko there are opening their beer garden again - and you may meet them in person for a little chat and drink. (Until September 5)

For more events in July that get you excited or let you take a break, see our main event calendar: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/calendar/
And don't forget to subscribe to our monthly newsletter for a sneak peek into August: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/newsletter/

29/06/2024

Blink and you miss it - the first six months of 2024 are already over!
For a fresh start, take part in the nagoshi no harae, an ancient purification ritual that's performed at shrines all over Kyoto. The main feature is walking through a large chinowa wreath in a prescribed pattern (essentially an "8"), but there are additional ceremonies for extra cleansing as well.

Check out our calendar for when those ceremonies take place: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/calendar/
and read all about the nagoshi no harae in our highlight here: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/highlight/archives/

28/06/2024

The Kyoto 5 Kagai Joint Performance was held for the first time in 1994 in honor of the 1200th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto. And it's still celebrated each year!

Geiko and maiko from all 5 hanamachi districts - Gion Kobu, Miyagawa-cho, Ponto-cho, Kamishichiken, Gion Higashi can be seen performing together in early summer. More than 70 performers will come on stage!

Today and tomorrow at the Minami-za Kabuki theater starting at 11:00 and 14:30.

Our monthly newsletter is coming out tomorrow, so you have one more day to sign up for a sneak peek into Kyoto's July events: http://eepurl.com/gN9vYj

27/06/2024

This is the perfect weekend for shopaholics!
Careful not to run out of money at these markets:

- 89th Kyoto Antique Fair at Pulse Plaza (28 -30)
- Old Book Fair at Museum of Kyoto (28 - 30)
- Free Flea Art Market at Museum of Kyoto (until June 7)
- 1000 Market at Kiyomizudera (28)
- Local Market at Toyokuni Shrine (28)
- Park Marche at Umekoji Park (30)

26/06/2024

Painter Kagaku Murakami is known as the "Practitioner of strokes" for his unique usage of lines. Kaoru Yamaguchi is called the "artist with a poet's soul" for his richly poetic nature. Kitaoji Rosanjin has created individualistic works in almost all fields of arts and craft, including pottery, calligraphy, painting and seal-engraving.

These three artists are the pillars of the Kahitsukan collection, and their works are exhibited at the museum right now - until July 28.

Find more exhibitions featuring famous Japanese artists in our main event calendar: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/calendar/

25/06/2024

The Zen teachings of Bodhidharma, the patriarch of Zen Buddhism, have been passed down from Zen masters to disciples until this day. As a symbol of passing on the teachings, a master’s portrait and robes were given to disciples.

This portrait was called “chinso” and was not only proof of passing on the teachings, but also displayed at the master’s memorial services.

The current exhibition at Shokokuji's Jotenkaku Museum includes many chinso portraits of monks who trained at this temple and its branches. Many are shown to the public for the first time.

Until July 21.
For more exhibitions of interesting Japanese art, see our main event calendar at https://whatsupinkyoto.com/calendar/

24/06/2024

Happy Birthday, God of Scholarship!

Sugawara-no-Michizane, was born in 845 and became (after causing some disasters after his death) enshrined at Kitano Tenmangu - 北野天満宮 - as Tenjin, the God of Scholarship. Today is the Gotanshin-sai ceremony at the shrine that celebrates his birthday.

At the same time, Tenjin-san, the monthly fleamarket at the shrine is taking place. Shop for all things Japanese - summer is coming, so look out for those yukata summer kimono!

For more ceremonies - and markets - see our main event calendar: https://whatsupinkyoto.com/calendar/

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Kyoto - exciting city - great events!

Traditional ceremonies in the thousands of shrines and temples, interesting exhibitions in the best museums in town, exciting concerts and performances... noh and anime, Buddhist prayers and butoh, gagaku and J-pop, we know them all!

We pick one event/day to post on facebook, and two different events per week are up on twitter. For a real deep-dive into the Kyoto event scene, you should visit the main calendar on our homepage: whatsupinkyoto.com/calendar/

We also have pages about hotels, restaurants, souvenirs, experiences... There’s a lot to do and see in Kyoto - have fun! And for a sneak peek into the next month, sign up for our monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gN9vYj