Daimonji gozan no okuribi

This is a kind of religious ceremony which light huge bonfire on mountains. “Daimonji gozan no okuribi” is named from religious, historical background.
This is also one of the four biggest events in Kyoto. Fire burn in the dark sky, it is iconic scene of the summer in Kyoto.

“Daimonji” ……means “large” will be lit on “Mt. Daimonji” on 20:00
“Myo/ Ho”……means “wondrous dharma” will be lit on “Mt. Nishi and Mt. Higashi” on 20:10.
“Funagata”……shape of a boat, will be lit on “Mt. Funayama”
“Hidari-Daimonji”……means “large” will be lit on “Mt. Hidari-daimonji”
“Torii”……shape of a shrine gate, will be lit on “Mr. Mandara-san”

Above 5 mountains are burnt, they lead Oshorai-san, our ancestors, go back to the spiritual world without loosing the way. This is solemnity but also very thoughtful ceremony.
Please have a look the fires of people in Kyoto’s thought for ancestors.

祇園祭

Kyoto Gion Matsuri festival 14th July-17th July

“Intangible cultural heritage” approved by UNESCO
“One of the three major festivals”
“One of the three largest summer festivals”
“One of the three largest parade float festivals”
“One of the three largest float festivals”
As the festivals describe above, it has have an ancient and honorable origin and it is considered to be symbolic of Japan.

This is dedicated to god of Gion. It is started 1st of July as kippuiri as opening ceremony. It spans entire of month through climax of yamaboko junko parade

On 16th of July, yoiyama , the eve of yamaboko junko parade, many yama and hoko, floats, are displayed by using full of each street. Chochin, paper lanterns are swinging, accompaniment of festive music, they are just like bringing us to old Kyoto.

On 17th July, yamaboko junko parade, Naginata-boko float is the first and 32 floats are all paraded through the city. tujimawashi which is the move used to manhandle floats through right-angled turns at street corners is most exciting highlight during parade.

Umeda Tanabata
“Umeda Tanabata” which has been receiving popularly from everyone no matter the nationalities will be held at Shin Umeda city from 4th June until 8th August. Various sizes of kusudamas, which are special decoration for Tanabata festival will be arrived from Sendai, they drastically change Shin Umeda city to Tanabata atmosphere. On the basement named Takimi-koji food court, thousands of streamers are displayed and they bring various colors to sepia retro-street. These tanabata displays, especially famous as elaborate paper crafts are Sendai proud. Traditional craft are wonderfully matched with retro streetscape in Kuidaore city, Osaka.

Seeing the mountains beautifully covered trees,it is easy to understand why autumn is considered Japan's most attractive season. The Japanese have long enjoyed a culture of viewing autumn leaves,and the parks and forests here offer an unrivalles variety of tones and colors.Below are number of carefully selected locations known for their beauty of their clored leaves and also for their local sightseeing spots.

	Arashiyama	One of best spot in Kyoto. Especially, Cherry blossom(April) and red maple leaves are stunning tourists. Every second Sunday of November, “Arashiyama Momiji Maturi (Arashiyama Maple leaves festival) is held above Togetsu-kyo bridge, showing a part of dynasty. Middle of November until early December is the best time.
	Kiyomizudera temple	Brilliant red of maple is blended in to landscape with main temple which is national treasure. Especially view of backward is beautiful. From 13th of November until 7th of December are special days to enter at night. Night viewing of illuminated trees is excellent.　 Middle of November until early December is the best time.
	Kodaiji temple	It is built for mourning Hideyoshi Toyotomi who is the most famous warrior in Japanese history by Nene who is his wife. Utilize the view of mountains and trees makes maple leaves more impressive. Illuminated trees are held on 24th October until 7th of December. Late October until early December is the best time.
	Minoh Park	2.7 kilometers of walking pass from Hankyu Minoh station till Minoh waterfall is called “taki michi(waterfall pass)”, whole pass is turned to be red by maple leaves in this season. Combination of stream and red leaves shows us different atmosphere. Minoh waterfall changes scenery season to season and each season is unique. Especially in this season, sound of falling down water echoes in clear sky which is surrounded by burning red maple leaves is stunning us. Middle of November until December is the best time.

Jidai matsuri is one of three biggest and famous festivals in Kyoto.
There is a parade and it is the most fascinating part of this festival which is showing celebrities and events between Heian era and Meiji era.
Ishin-kinno-tairetsu (Sangoku-tai troops from the Tamba area of Kyoto), is the top of the parade, then going back to old era through Oda-joraku-retsu (Oda Nobunaga, Hashiba Hideyoshi; famous warriors) with over 2000people made by 2000 kilometer-long. This is just like seeing historical delicate rolling pictures in your face.