June 1 & 2
Takigi Noh Night-time Performance at Heian Shrine

Kyoto's Takigi Noh theatre performances are one of the city's most popular events; On both days, three major Noh schools (Kanze, Kongo, Okura) will perform these slow-moving, mysterious plays on a special fire-lit, outdoor stage set up in Heian Shrine; Tickets: 4,000 yen; From 17:30 (the doors open from 16:30); The event will be postponed in the case of rain; Access: Kyoto City Bus #5, get off at Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae; Tel: 075-771-6114 (Kyoto Noh Office).


June 7
Free Public Opening of the Shin-en Garden at Heian Shrine

The large Japanese stroll garden that surrounds the north side of the precinct of Heian Shrine is divided into four parts; The irises in the west and central parts are very beautiful and bloom in June; Entry to the garden is free on this day (usually 600 yen); Open: 8:30-16:30; Access: Kyoto City Bus #5, get off at Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae; Tel: 075-761-0221; www.heianjingu.or.jp/


June 10
Taue Rice Planting Festival at Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine

This ritual is held to ensure a good rice harvest; Women dressed in traditional Heian period costumes perform an elegant dance from 13:00; From 14:00, about 30 women dressed in traditional farm worker clothing plant rice seedlings in the shrine's sacred rice field; Access: JR Nara line, Inari Stn. or Keihan Fushimi Inari Stn.; Tel: 075-641-7331; inari.jp/


June 13
Arashiyama Waka-ayu Festival
On this day ayu sweet fish are released in the Hozu River; 11:30-13:00; Access: Kyoto City Bus #28, get off at Arashiyama Koen or Hankyu Arashiyama Stn.; Arashiyama Hoshokai: Tel: 075-861-0012.


June 15
Yasaka Shrine Reisai Festival
This annual ceremony and dance performance, based on a dance style that was developed by the Heian imperial court, is highly recommended; From 10:00, a poetry reading contest will also be organized in the main hall (from 15:00); Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, get off at Gion; Tel: 075-561-6155; web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/yasaka/


June 15
Aoba Festival at Chishaku-in Temple

This memorial ceremony is dedicated to the Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi and features sutra chanting (from 10:00); On this day, the garden, designed in the Momoyama period (17th century), and the temple wall paintings will be open to the public (admission free; 9:00-16:00); Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, get off at Higashiyama Shichijo; Tel: 075-541-5361; www.chisan.or.jp/sohonzan/


June 15-June 30
Sal Tree Viewing Party at Torin-in Temple in Myoshin-ji Temple
Torin-in Temple, one of the sub-temples in the Myoshin-ji Temple complex, has many sal trees in its front garden; It is said that Buddha was born beneath a sal tree; June 15 (from 9:30): Sal flower ceremony and Japanese incense experience: 1,580 yen (with matcha green tea); Access: JR Sagano line, Hanazono Stn.; Tel: 075-463-1334; www.myoshinji.or.jp/


June 16-July 15
Hydrangea Festival at Sanzen-in Temple
This hydrangea festival is held in celebration of the 3,000 hydrangea bushes that bloom in this temple's famous garden in June and July; 700 yen; 8:30-17:00; Access: Kyoto Bus #17, 18, get off at Ohara; Tel: 075-744-2531; www.sanzenin.or.jp/


June 20
Takekiri-e Bamboo Cutting Ritual at Kurama Temple

From 14:00, two 2-monk teams compete in the ceremonial ritual of cutting a long piece of bamboo (4 m long and 10 cm thick); The ritual is based on an ancient legend in which a monk of the temple got rid of a giant snake; 200 yen; Access: Kyoto City Bus #4, get off at Demachiyanagi-eki-mae, and take Eizan train to Kurama Stn.; Tel: 075-741-2003.


June 21-23
Kyoto Antique Fair
About 350 antique dealers, including many foreign dealers, will participate in this exciting event, which is the largest antique market in western Japan; More than 1.5 million items will be on offer; 10:00-17:00; Access: Take Kyoto City Bus Minami #1, 2, 3 from Takeda subway station, get off at Pulse Plaza-mae; Tel: 075-522-2307 (Gomokudo).


June 22-July 15
Bellflower Viewing Party at Tentoku-in Temple in Tofuku-ji Temple
Tentoku-in Temple is famous for its exquisite bellflower; The contrast between the purple and white bellflower and the temple's simple dry landscape garden creates a beautiful scene; Special Zen lunch (reservations required: 11:00-14:00; 3,000 yen); The temple will also be open at night until 20:30; 800 yen (with matcha green tea & sweet); Access: Kyoto City Bus #208, get off at Tofukuji; Tel: 075-561-5239; www.tentokuin.jp


June 22 & 23
Kyoto Five Kagai Joint Performance at Kyoto Shijo Minamiza
Kyoto's five Kagai (maiko and geiko districts) are: Gion Kobu, Miyagawacho, Gion Higashi, Kamishichiken and Pontocho; This is an only chance to see all the maiko and geiko from all five Kagai perform together; Special seats: 13,000 yen, First seats: 10,000 yen, Second seats: 8,000 yen, Third seats: 6,000 yen; From 11:00 and 14:30; Access: Keihan Gion Shijo Stn.; Tel: 075-561-3901.


June 25- 30
Machiya Visit at Tondaya
Tondaya is an exquisite cultural facility where people can learn about and enjoy Kyoto's traditional lifestyle forms; 11:00-13:00; 8,400 yen (lecture and machiya visit + special meal + tea ceremony), 3,150 yen (lecture and machiya visit + tea ceremony) and other plans are available; Access: Kyoto City Bus #9, get off at Ichijo Modoribashi; Tel: 075-432-6701; www.tondaya.co.jp/






Temple & Shrine Flea Markets


June 2, 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.


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


June 12, Wed.
Bishamon-do in Kennin-ji Temple: Known as Tora-ichi, this market specializes in handicrafts & arts; 10:00-16:00.


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


June 16, Sun.
Kyoto City Hall: A big public flea market; 10:00-17:00.


June 21, Fri.
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.


June 25, Tues.
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.

June 23, 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.