Green tour Kyoto | travel information in JAPAN » May 2012
This month's events
The temples and shrines in Kyoto have been keeping their rituals and events from the olden days.
They are traditional, sacred and a pleasant experience. We'd like to introduce them every month.
They are worth to visit during your stay.
May 2012 Highlight events in Kyoto
Column
Aoi Matsuri
It is May in Kyoto and the cherry blossoms of April have scattered, making way for fresh green leaves to blanket the surrounding mountains and hills. The lush greenery throughout the city provides a fitting backdrop for Matsuri, or Hollyhock festival, which takes place this month. Aoi is Japanese for Hollyhock, and the dark green [...]
May 3rd
Yabusame-shinji Ritual
Movie: This is a powerful ceremony to purify the route of the Aoi Matsuri procession. A man in traditional costume shoots an arrow while riding on horseback.
May 4th
Saio-dai Misogi Ritual
Saio was a selected woman who served god in ancient times. This ritual is held to purify her role on the stream of Kamigamo Shrine.
May 5th
Kurabe-uma-shinji Ritual
Two men in traditional costumes riding on horse back compete for the fastest time at the ground of the temple.
May 12th
Mikage Matsuri Ritual
An elegant Japanse dance and music are performed in the Tadasu-no-mori forest in front of the gate of Shimogamo Shrine to welcome gods from the foot of Mt. Hiei.
May 1st ~ 4th
Shinsenen Kyogen
This is a unique kind of kyogen, which performers wear masks and perform a kind of mime while chanting. It will be performed in repertory from 30 numbers. 13:30-18:00 on May 1st, 2nd. 13:30-18:00 & 19:00-21:30 on May 3rd, 4th.
May 6th
Kurama Full moon Festival
On the night of the May full moon, the festival called “Uesaku-sai” is held to pray for the happiness of human beings.
May 20th
Mifune Festival
People in Imperial costumes on boats play court music, read Japanese poetry, and more at Kurumazaki-jinjya Shrine. The procession starts at the shrine towards the Oi-river, and then embarks on boats, and shows the Imperial amusement of the olden days. This festival originally for the Emperor dates back over 1000 years. Festival at the shrine [...]
- Every 1st Sunday
- To-ji Temple
- 7:00-16:00
- Antique market.
- Every 2nd Saturday
- Toyokuni Shrine
- 10:00-15:00
- Small antique market.
- Every 2nd Sunday
- Bishamon-do in Kennin-ji Temple
- 10:00-16:00
- Known as Tora-ichi, artistic handicrafts & arts.
- Every 4th Sunday
- Kamigamo Shrine
- Handicraft market in peaceful and quiet grounds of the shrine.
- Every 15th
- Chion-ji Temple
- 8:00-16:00
- Kyoto's biggest monthly market of handmade goods and crafts.
- Every 21st
- To-ji Temple
- 7:00-16:30
- Known as Kobo-san, Kyoto's largest market for all kinds of antiques, tools and so on.
- Every 25th
- Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
- 7:00-16:30
- Known as Tenjin-san, a popular flea market at one of Kyoto's major shrines. Antiques, food, tools and so on.
