Kyoto Cultural Events in December and January

Kyoto Hanatouro at Arashiyama 11 - 20 Dec 2015

A special night-time light-up event to showcase the beauty of the area and it’s nature. Be guided all the way through the famous bamboo forest by handmade lanterns.
Date: 11 -20 Dec 2015
Illumination hours: 5:00pm - 8:30pm
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The 110th Kyoto Cuisine Exhibition 13 & 14 Dec 2015

Kyoto’s famous ryotei (traditional Japanese cuisine restaurants) will display their beautiful dishes. Tea ceremony and meals can be arranged at each venue (Fees applies).
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Pumpkin Ceremony at Fushigi Fudo-in Temple

The pumpkin ceremony is held on the day of winter solstice which is believed to ward off paralysis and dementia. Date 22 Dec 15 from 10:00am Fushigi Fudo-in Temple
Access : Kyoto City Bus #205 “Waratenjin-mae” and change to M1 “Kinugasa Himurocho”

Pumpkin Ceremony at Yata Temple

Many pumpkins are placed in the main hall for praying for yearly health. Cooked pumpkin will be served to the first 1,000 visitors free of charge. Access : Subway Tozai Line “Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae”

Kiribi Festival at Hinomiko Shrine in Kitano Tenmangu, 31 Dec 15

Hinomiko Shrine enshrines the deity of fire. Visitors receive a fire from the shrine and bring it back home.
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Jyoya no Kane (Bells on New Year's Eve) in Chioin Temple, 31 Dec 15

“Jyoya no kane” takes place at the year-end and New Year holidays in Japan. Each temple has a bell they strike 108 times ending one year and beginning a new one. Chionin temple has one of the 3 biggest bells in Japan.
Date 31 Dec 15 – 1 Jan 16

New Year “Hatsumode” Shrine Visits 1-3 Jan 2015

New Year (“oshōgatsu”) is a very special time in Japan for celebrating the fresh start of a new year. “Hatsumōde”, put simply, refers to visiting a shrine and praying to the gods, expressing one’s gratitude for the previous year and one’s hopes for a peaceful new year. Shrines hold colourful festivals and many stalls open up around them to sell to shrine-goers. Some of the most famous places to welcome in the New Year in Kyoto are:

Fushimi-Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari

The most visited “hatsumōde” spot in Kyoto, visited by almost 3 million people in the first 3 days of the New Year. The myriad orange torii gates are very famous, however, one shouldn’t expect to be able to see and photograph them clearly due to the crowds during “hatsumode”Address: 68 Fukakusa, Yabunouchi-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City
Entry fee: Free
Hours: Visitors are free to walk around the shrine at other hours, but the gift shop area is open from 7:00am until 6:00pm.

Heian Shrine

Heian Shrine

The generous open grounds around Heian Shrine make for the perfect place to watch people and take photos of the beautifully dressed women and children, with the distinctive orange facade of the shrine in the background.

Address: Nishi Ten-o-cho, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8341
Entry Fee: There is a fee to visit the Gardens of Heian Shrine 600 Yen for Adults and 300 for Children
Hours: 6:00am to 5:00pm (Note the gardens open at 8:30am to 4:30pm)
Access


Other famous places to do “Hatsumode”- More Information

For further information check our events calendar: Events Calendar

Visit the “Seven Lucky Gods” in Kyoto, 1- 31 Jan 16

The tradition of worshiping the “Seven Lucky Gods” is said to have started in Kyoto in the 15th Century AD. Each of the Gods have their own blessings for example “Ebisu” is for business success and traffic safety.
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How to get lucky in Fushimi, 1 – 15 Jan 16

isiting five temples and shrines in the town is believed to bring good luck in the New Year. The town of Fushimi prospered in the late 16th century under the city construction by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a powerful samurai lord. The town is also famous for sake production. Temple stamp: 300 yen is required at each place.
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Ohitaki Ritual Fire Ceremony 8 Nov 2015

More than 100,000 special wooden amulets gathered from all around Japan will be burnt together after a ceremony. This is one of the largest scale fire rituals of this kind in Japan.
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Hakuba Soran Ritual, 7 Jan 16

There is a saying that if you dream about a white horse on new year’s day, you will be able to rid yourself of a bad luck for the coming year. On this day, Nanakusa-gayu (rice porridge with the seven spring herbs) will be offered to the deity and soybean to the sacred horse. Rice porridge will be served free of charge to the first 400 visitors.
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Other temples serving rice porridge on this date

Cultural Programmes by Heihachi Tea House Inn

Established in the 16th century AD the Heihachi Tea House Inn offers visitors a special traditional cultural experience for 2 to 50 people with Kyoto cuisine in its historical architecture and expansive Japanese garden. All visitors now can enjoy their special “Kyo-ryori” courses with cultural programmes. Programmes include:

• Noh Performance
• Flower Arrangement
• Shakuhachi Flute
• Maiko/Geiko performance
• Sword Dance by Samurai Kembu
• Calligraphy 
• Koto

Language support available at additional charge: More Information

Itinerary planning and other information: 

We are happy to assist in planning your itinerary in Kyoto, please contact our Sydney office on 02 8206 9312 or email alison@tourismgarden.com.au

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For more detailed information about getting around in Kyoto on foot, by bicycle, bus train or taxi please contact us.

Meetings and Incentives

Have you considered planning an incentive trip in the cultural heart of Japan?

Kyoto offers endless opportunities to gain meaningful hands-on experience of rich Kyoto culture through Tea Ceremony, sake brewing, kimono wearing, swordsmanship, and more. With unique and traditional function venues and superb accommodation options Kyoto is an ideal choice for a high end incentive trip.

Japan is renowned for its safety and the compactness of Kyoto makes for wonderful strolling during free time. From the moment your guests arrive they will be treated to the famous omotenashi (hospitality) and refined service of Kyoto.

The Kyoto Convention Bureau is here to help. Please contact our local office or visit our website. Go to website

Kyoto, once again proudly voted Top City Overall in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2015 readers’ survey.

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