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September in Kyoto
Karasu Sumo Wrestling and Choyo Ceremony
at Kamigamo Shrine
Sept. 9
From 10:00, people offer chrysanthemum flowers at the main hall and pray. After the prayer ritual, Karasu sumo wrestling, performed by local children, will be held. A free cup of chrysanthemum sake will be offered afterwards; Access: Kyoto City Bus #4, 46, get off at Kamigamo-jinja-mae; Tel: 075-781-0011.
Other Highlights
Until Sept. 15
Ukai Cormorant Fishing in Arashiyama
Ukai is a traditional fishing method in which cormorants are used to catch river fish. Carried out on the Oi River, this event is one of the most popular summer tourist attractions in Arashiyama. Boat ride: 18:30-20:30 (boat departs at 18:30 & 19:30). Fee: adults: 1,700 yen, children (4-12 years old): 850 yen; Access: Kyoto City Bus #28, get off at Arashiyama Koen; Arashiyama Tsusen: Tel: 075-861-0302.
Sept. 17-Nov. 30
Flower Ceiling Special Opening at Hiraoka Hachiman-gu Shrine
Exquisite paintings of 44 flowers painted on the ceiling of the main shrine building are open to public viewing. Green tea will be served. Open: 10:00-16:00, entry: 600 yen; Access: JR Bus, get off at Hiraoka Hachimangu-mae; Tel: 075-871-2084.
Sept. 14
Manto Festival at Hirano Shrine
From 18:00, about 800 lanterns will be lit and a wide range of traditional entertainment (noh, poetry reading, dance, etc.) will be performed; Access: Kyoto City Bus #50, get off at Kinugasako-mae; Tel: 075-461-4450.
Sept. 15
Yoshitsune Festival at Kurama Temple
From 11:00, a memorial ceremony will be held to commemorate the spirit of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, the legendary samurai of the late Heian period who is said to have received his training on Mount Kurama. After the ceremony, Japanese martial arts will be performed in front of the main hall; Access: Kyoto City Bus #4 get off at Demachiyanagi-eki-mae and take Eizan Railway to Kurama Stn.; Tel: 075-741-2003.
Sept. 15-17
Seiryu-e Festival at Kiyomizu Temple
From 14:00, a large blue dragon will snake its way around the temple precinct; Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, get off at Kiyomizu-michi; 300 yen; Tel: 075-551-1234.
Sept. 18-20
Hagi Festival at Nashinoki Shrine
During this event people write poems on pieces of paper and then tie them to the branches of hagi bush clover in the precinct. In the shrine hall, kyogen comic theatre, and traditional dance with koto harp will be performed; 800 yen or 1,500 yen (with ceramic plate); Access: Kyoto City Bus #4, 17, 205, get off at Furitsu Idai Byoin-mae; Tel: 075-211-0885.
Sept. 19
Garden Special Opening at Hiean Shrine
The shrine's large scale garden will be open free of charge on this day (normally 600 yen). Open: 8:30-16:30; Tel: 075-761-0221; Access: Kyoto City Bus #5, 100, get off at Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae; http://www.heianjingu.or.jp/
Sept. 21
Kamigyo Takigi Noh Performance at Shiramine Shrine
From 16:00, a number of traditional entertainment forms (dance, noh, koto harp, etc.) will be performed. The event will be held at Kongo Noh Theatre in case of rain. 2,000 yen; Access: Kyoto City Bus #9, get off at Horikawa Imadegawa; Tel: 075-441-3810.
Sept. 22-23
Seimei Festival at Seimei Shrine
On the 22nd, people make a procession holding lanterns to welcome the spirit of Abe no Seimei and Kagura dance and music performance will be held. On the 23rd, about 500 people march around the shrine playing music; Access: Kyoto City Bus #9, get off at Ichijo Modoribashi; Tel: 075-441-6460.
Sept. 23
Takase-gawa Boat Festival
A ceremony will be held at the start point of the Takase-gawa canal (on the west side of Kiyamachi, north of Oike). Maiko from Ponto-cho will serve green tea. 10:30-16:00, ticket: 500 yen; Access: Kyoto City Bus #205, get off at Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae; Tel: 075-231-3722 (Kinsaryo).
Noh Performance at Gokonomiya Shrine
Between 17:00-20:00, noh, dance and kyogen will be performed on an open-air stage; 3,000 yen; Access: Kintetsu Kyoto Line, Momoyama Goryomae Stn.; Tel: 075-611-0559.
Sept. 26
Sencha and Kencha Festival at Heian Shrine
From 9:00, the Iemoto masters of the 6 schools of sencha ceremony will perform their tea ceremony for the deities of the shrine (the public can not enter the ceremony area). After the ceremony, green tea will be served to the public. Tickets: 2,000 yen (2 bowls of green tea); Access: Kyoto City Bus #5, 100, get off at Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae; Tel: 075-761-0221; http://www.heianjingu.or.jp/
Sept. 27
Comb Festival at Yasui Konpira-gu Shrine
This is a festival to give thanks to women's combs and hair ornaments. From 12:30, a ceremony is held and after that, a beautiful procession of women wearing various traditional hair styles will go around the area; Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, get off at Higashiyama Yasui; Tel: 075-561-5127.
Temple & Shrine Flea Markets
Sept. 5, Sun.
To-ji Temple:this market is focused on antiques of all kinds; usually not too crowded; great value all around; 7:00-16:00
Sept. 8, Wed.
Toyokuni Shrine:a very small market of local products; 10:00-15:00
Sept. 12, Sun.
Bishamon-do in Kennin-ji Temple: known as Tora-ichi, this market is focused on handicrafts & arts; 10:00-16:00
Myoren-ji Temple: a lovely relaxing setting for inexpensive kimono and all kinds of antiques, local produce, etc.; 9:00-17:00
Sept. 15, Wed.
Chion-ji Temple: Kyoto's biggest handicraft market; an absolutely amazing range of handmade things; incredible prices too! ; 8:00-16:00
Sept. 15, Wed.
Chion-ji Temple: Kyoto's biggest handicraft market; an absolutely amazing range of handmade things; incredible prices too! ; 8:00-16:00
Sept. 19, Sun.
Kyoto City Hall:a huge public flea market; 10:00-17:00
Sept. 21, Tues.
To-ji Temple: also known as Kobo-san, this mega temple market offers everything and is extremely popular; go early, especially if on a weekend or a national holiday; 7:00-17:00
Sept. 25, Sat.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: also known as Tenjin-san, this super shrine market sprawls in and around this major shrine complex; go early; 7:00-16:30
NOTE: markets shut down much earlier in autumn and winter; when the days get longer and warmer sellers tend to stay a little longer.
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2010 September
Published on the 1st
of every month.
The 246th issue, since 1987.