Tsukimi (月見) or Otsukimi (お月見), literally meaning, “moon-viewing”, also known as Jugoya (十五夜), are Japanese festivals honoring the autumn moon, a variant of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The weather forecast said it is clear night on September 13th, the date of the full moon viewing.
So you can enjoy viewing on the traditional day in Kyoto.
Since ancient times, Japanese people have described the moon over the clouds as the non moon (無月), and the moon on the rainy day as the rainy moon (雨月).
It means people enjoy any situation as it is even if it seems a bad condition.
Tsukimi traditions include displaying decorations made from Japanese pampas grass (susuki) and eating rice dumplings called Tsukimi dango in order to celebrate the beauty of the moon.
Seasonal produce are also displayed as offerings to the moon.
Many temples and shrines in Kyoto hold the full moon viewing on September 13th.
This time, we share some with you.
West side of Kyoto City
Daikakuji Temple; Kangetsu no Yube
It is said Emperor Saga who imported the style of full moon viewing festival from China the first time.
People have enjoyed full moon viewing from boats on Osawa Pond.
Tea ceremony is held on the boats and participants can enjoy an elegant evening in a spectacular setting.
A koto harp concert will also performed twice a day.
Date:
September 13th to 15th
Time:
17:00~20:30
Admission fee:
500 yen per an adult, 300 yen per a child
Charged 1,200 yen for boat ride and tea ceremony
Access:
・1-minute walk from “Daikakuji” bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus #28,91 at Kyoto Station
・15-minute walk from “Saga Arashiyama” St. on JR Sagano line
・20-minute walk from “Randen Saga” St. on Keifuku line
Matsuno’o Shrine; Kanzetsusa
Matsuno’o Shrine enshrines the god of Japanese rice wine.
It offers moon viewing sake bun and moon viewing sake.
Date:
September 13th
Time:
17:00~20:30
Admission fee:
1,000 yen
Access:
・3-minute walk from “Matsuno’o Taisha mae (松尾大社前)” bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus #28 at Kyoto Station
・JR Kyoto Station →Shijo St. on Karasuma Subway line →Katsura St. on Hankyu line→3-minute walk from Matsuno’o St. on Hankyu Arashiyama line
North Side of Kyoto City
Kamigamo Shrine; Kamo Kangetsusai
After a special dance performance, special sweet dumplings and sake will be offered to the first 300 people from 17:30.
Date:
September 13th
Time:
Event 16:30~
Rituals and Dance 17:00~20:00
Admission fee:
Free
Access:
・15-minute walk from “Kitayama” St. in Karasuma Subway line
・In front of “Kamigamo Jinja mae” bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus #4 at Kyoto Station
Kyoto Botanical Park; Meigetsu Kansho no Yube
It’s kind of hidden viewing spot in Kyoto, and it opens at the night of full moon viewing.
Astronomical observation is taken place, so if you want to enjoy with your family or aboyd crows, it is a great place for it.
Date:
September 13th
Time:
18：00～20：30(Reopen at 18:00)
Admission fee:
Free
Access:
・1-minute walk from “Kitayama” St. in Karasuma Subway line
・10-minute walk from “Kitaōji” St. in Karasuma Subway line
・5-minute walk from “Shokubutsuen mae” bus stop on Kyoto Bus at Kyoto Station
Center Part of Kyoto City
Shimogamo Shrine; Meigetsu Kangensai
During this moon viewing music festival, traditional dance and music, and a koto harp music will be performed from 17:30; The performers and players wear gorgeous Heian period costumes. On the way to the festival, there are some vendors set up lots of food, drinks, and souvenirs.
Date:
September 13th
Time:
17:30~21:00
Admission fee:
Free
Access:
・In front of “Shimogamo-jinja mae” bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus #4, 205 at Kyoto Station
・12-minute walk from “Demachiyanagi” St. on Keihan line
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine; Meigetsusai(Imomeigetsu)
The alternate name of the celebration, Imomeigetsu (literally “potato harvest moon”) is derived from the offerings because the potatoes are at the season in September in the lunar calendar.
Date:
September 13th
Time:
16:00~
Admission fee:
Free
Access:
・In front of “Kitano Tenmangu Shrine” bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus #50,101 at Kyoto Station
・5-minute walk from “Hakubai cho” St. on Keifuku line
East Side of Kyoto City
Yasaka Shrine; Gion-sha Kangestusai
Yasaka Shrine is located the most convenient place in Kyoto sightseeing.The atmosphere is much beautiful and fantastic at night. Why don’t you step by there before/after dinner.
Date:
September 13th
Time:
19:00~
Admission fee:
Free
Access:
・5-minute walk from “Gion Shijo” St. on the Keihan line
・8-minute walk from “Kawaramachi” St. on the Hankyu line.
・In front of “Gion” bus stop on the Kyoto Bus #206 at Kyoto Station
Chishakuin Temple; Kangetsukai
Kyoto’s Chishakuin Temple is best known for its panel paintings and its garden.
It offers Zen meditation workshop and concert with priests.
Date:
September 13th
Time:
Open 17：00
Start 18：00
Admission fee:
4,200 yen for a ticket (included bentō and tea)
Access:
・3-minute walk from “Higashiyama Shichijo” bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus
・10-minute walk from “Shichijo” St. on the Keihan line
Outside of Kyoto City
Manpukuji Temple; Tsukimi Green Tea Ceremony
Founded by zen master Yin-yuan, known in Japanese as Ingen Ryuki (1592-1673), Mampukuji is located south of Kyoto in Uji.
Manpukuji Temple is famed for its pine trees and architecture. The Japan Sencha Tea Ceremony has its headquarters at Manpukuji and organizes a gathering on October 12th.
Date:
October 12th
Time:
16:00~20:30
Admission fee:
3,500 yen
Access:
・5-minute walk from “Obaku” St. on the Keihan Uji line
・5-minute walk from “Obaku” St. on the JR Nara line
Do you need more information?
You should receive such local information of Kyoto by an application “KoI APP”.
With this application, even if you don’t have Wi-Fi, you can find nearby stores and so on.
You can install the application from the following URL.
