January Event Highlights
*Time, dates and information of the events are subject to change.

Jan. 2-Feb. 3
New Year's Day in a Machiya at Tondaya
Tondaya used to be a kimono merchant family residence in the Nishijin textile production area. People can experience old Kyoto lifestyles here (11:00-13:00). Machiya visit and lecture: 2,100 yen; 9:00-13:00; Access: Kyoto City Bus #9, get off at Ichijo Modoribashi; Tel: 075-432-6701.


Jan. 2-4
New Year Calligraphy at Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine

The deity of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is Sugawara no Michinaga, an important court officer as well as a gifted poet and calligrapher in the Heian period. From 13:00 on the 3rd, kyogen comic theatre will be performed. People also come here during this period to write the first calligraphy of the year (50 yen/paper; 10:00-16:00); Access: Kyoto City Bus #50, get off at Kitano Tenmangu-mae; Tel: 075-461-0005; http://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/


Jan. 3
Karuta Hajime at Yasaka Shrine

At 13:00, fourteen women dressed in Heian period court costumes play karuta (a traditional Japanese card game that developed from a game introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th century); Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, get off at Gion; Tel: 075-561-6155; http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/yasaka/


Jan. 4
Kemari Hajime at Shimogamo Shrine

Kemari, a kind of football game dating from the Heian era, is played here by men in court costume starting at 13:30; Access: Kyoto City Bus #205, get off at Shimogamo-jinja-mae; Tel: 075-781-0010; http://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/


Jan. 5-8
Gafu Bonsai Exhibition at the Miyako Messe
Over 1,200 bonsai dwarf trees will be exhibited. These trees have been carefully cultivated by famous bonsai specialists; 9:30-16:30; 800 yen; Access: Kyoto City Bus #5, get off at Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae; All Japan Bonsai Association: Tel: 075-754-0481.


Jan. 7
Nanakusa Ritual at Gokonomiya Shrine
On this day, from 9:00, people come to the shrine to offer seven kinds of edible grasses (nanakusa) to the deity. After the ritual, rice porridge made with the seven grasses will be offered to visitors. Nanakusa-gayu rice porridge: 300 yen; Access: Kintetsu Momoyama Goryo-mae Stn.; Tel: 075-611-0559.


Jan. 15-31
Azuki-gayu Festival at Torin-in Temple in Myoshin-ji Temple

Kyoto people believe that eating red bean rice porridge (azuki-gayu) at the beginning of the year will prevent illness. Azuki-gayu is one of the vegetarian dishes regularly eaten in Zen temples; 11:00-15:00; 3,700 yen (plum tea, azuki-gayu, shojin vegetarian cuisine; reservations not required); Access: JR Hanazono Stn.; Tel: 075-463-1334.






Temple & Shrine Flea Markets


Jan. 22, Sun.
Kyoto City Hall: A huge public flea market; 10:00-17:00.

Jan. 1, Sun.
To-ji Temple: This market is focused on antiques of all kinds; Usually not too crowded and great value all around; 7:00-16:00.

Jan. 8, Sun.
Toyokuni Shrine: A very small market of local products; 10:00-15:00.

Jan. 8, Sun.
Bishamon-do in Kennin-ji Temple: Known as Tora-ichi, this market specializes in handicrafts & arts; 10:00-16:00.

Jan. 15, Sun.
Chion-ji Temple: Kyoto's biggest handicraft market; an absolutely amazing range of handmade things and incredible prices too!; 8:00-16:006.

Jan. 21, Sun.
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.

Jan. 25, Wed.
Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine: Also known as Tenjin-san, this super shrine market sprawls in and around this major shrine complex; 7:00-16:30.

Jan. 22, Sun.
Kamigamo Shrine: Handicrafts, arts, food, and more; 9:00-16:00.


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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