Tanabata in Japan is also held on July 7th of the new calendar and August of the lunar calendar.
In addition to the standard July event, Tanabata events are sometimes held later in the month of August.
In recent years, the light-up events,which is called “Kyo no Tanabata”, in the Horikawa and Kamogawa areas have been held
The Milky Way that appears in the story of Tanabata looks like a dragon flying in the sky.
Dragons are said to bring rain and water sources, so Kifune Shrine, which is dedicated to the god of water, is said to have a deep connection with Tanabata.
Kifune Shrine
Kifune Shrine, located at the northernmost tip of Kyoto City, is the main shrine of 2,000 water gods nationwide.
Not only the god of water but also the god of marriage is enshrined here, so many visitors visit throughout the year.
As a special summer event, the Tanabata light-up event is held from July to mid-August every year.
The strips of paper on which worshipers wrote their wishes and the swaying green bamboo are illuminated by gentle light.
The sight is very beautiful.
Kifune Shrine at night is so cool that you forget the heat of the day, and the sounds of the nearby Kifune River and the sound of bamboo leaves and strips of paper swaying in the wind provide a special sense of relaxation to visitors.
Each strip of paper costs 100 yen, and wishes are written not only in Japanese but also in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, and Korean.
A water festival is held on July 7th every year, and the precincts are crowded with events such as the tea ceremony.
Be sure to experience the wonderful Tanabata festival at Kifune Shrine this summer in Kyoto.
When going out, please check the latest information on the website etc. before going out.
Information of Kifune Shrine
Location: 180 Kurama Kifunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City
Business hours: May 1st – November 30th 6:00 – 20:00, December 1st to April 30th 6:00-18:00 (*Closed at 20:00 on the first three days of the New Year)
Access: 30 minutes walk from “Kibuneguchi” station, 6 minutes walk from Kyoto Bus “Kibune” bus stop
TEL: 075-741-2016
HP: http://kifunejinja.jp
◆The Tanabata light-up event
Date: July 1st (Monday) – August 15th (Thursday), 2024
Time: From sunset to around 20:00
◆Kibune Water Festival (Tanabata ritual)
Event date: Sunday, July 7, 2024
Time: 10:00~
