Ukai Cormorant Fishing in Arashiyama
Until Aug. 31



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; 19:00-21:00; Boat ride: 19:00 & 20:00; Fee: 1,700 yen; Tel: 075-861-0302; Access: Kyoto City Bus #28, get off at Arashiyama Koen.





Other Highlights


Aug. 1-18
Special Night-time Opening of Kodai-ji Temple
Kodai-ji Temple was founded by Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (one of Japan's greatest samurai warlords), to commemorate his spirit. Every summer, the temple holds a special night-time opening; Open: sunset-21:30; 600 yen (including entry to the Sho Museum); Tel: 075-561-9966; Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, Higashiyama Yasui.


Aug. 6
Nagoshi no Shinji Ritual at Shimogamo Shrine

From 18:30, local men compete to get a sacred arrow in the Mitarashi Pond. It is said that the arrow can ward off evil; Tel: 075-781-0010; Access: Kyoto City Bus #205, Shimogamo-jinja-mae.


Aug. 7-10
Gojo-zaka Pottery Festival

This pottery festival was started in the early Taisho period (1912-1926). It is one of the biggest pottery festivals in Japan. About 500 stalls selling pottery line both sides of Gojo Street between Higashioji and Kawabata. About 500,000 people come every year; 9:00-23:00; Gojo Street between Higashioji and Gojo Bridge; Tel: 075-541-1192; Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, Gojo-zaka or Keihan Kiyomizu Gojo Stn.


Aug. 7-15 & 16
Welcoming and Sending off the Spirits at Senbon Enma-do Temple
People welcome the spirits of deceased family members between the 7th and the 15th and send them back to the Buddhist pure land again on the 16th. From 19:00 on 15th, the Senbon Rokusai Nenbutsu performance will be held; Tel: 075-462-3332; Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, Kanryuko-mae.


Aug. 8-10 & 16
Manto Lantern Ceremony in Rokuhara Mitsu-ji Temple
From 20:00 (from 18:00 on the 16th), a number of lanterns are lit in shape the kanji character meaning 'big' to welcome the spirits of deceased family members. A special spirit sendoff ceremony is held on 16th; Tel: 075-561-6980; Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, get off at Kiyomizu-michi.


Aug. 11-15
Mount Hiei Light-up

During this special period countless lanterns will be lit up in the precinct of Enryaku-ji Temple. In the Konpon Chudo Main Hall, a special night-time ceremony will be held; Sunset-20:30; 550 yen (from 17:30), Goma amulet: 300 yen; Tel: 077-578-0001; Access: Keihan Sanjo Stn.; *a special shuttle bus will be available during the event period, departing from this station.


Aug. 11-16
Arashiyama Lantern Ceremony
A number of book dealers from Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Okayama will be offering over 800,000 books (rare, old, foreign) to the public; 10:00-18:00 (until 16:00 on the last day); Tel: 075-351-9663 (Sanmitsu-do); Access: Kyoto City Bus #205, get off at Shimogamo-jinja-mae.


Aug. 16
Antique Book Fair at Shimogamo Shrine
From sunset to 21:00, many colored paper lanterns will be released from the Togetsu-kyo Bridge on the Oi River after a ceremony at Nakanoshima Park; the Toriigata Okuri-bi fire (see below) is nearby in the background; 1,000 yen for a lantern; Tel: 080-5307-1060 (Saga Buddhist Association); Access: Kyoto City Bus #28, Arashiyama Koen.


Aug. 16
Daimonji Gozan Okuri-bi Send Off Fires

Daimonji Gozan Okuri-bi is one of Kyoto's four major traditional seasonal events. Obon is the period in the mid August when Japanese people hold an ancient rite to honor the souls of their ancestors. It has long been an important public summer rite to pray for ancestral spirits and peace. Five special symbols are lit in succession (east to west) to guide the ancestral spirits back to the Buddhist Pure Land. The fires last for about 30 min.: Daimonji (20:00), Myo and Ho (20:10), Funagata (20:15), Hidari Daimonji (20:15), Toriigata (20:20).






Temple & Shrine Flea Markets


Aug. 1, 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


Aug. 12, Thurs.
Myoren-ji Temple: a lovely relaxing setting for inexpensive kimono and all kinds of antiques, local produce, etc.; 9:00-17:00


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


Aug. 21, Sat.
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


Aug. 25, Wed.
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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