Uploaded May 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Yutate Shinji, or "Boiling Water Rituals", are a common occurrence at Shinto shrines in the winter time, and Jōnangū shrine in southern Kyoto holds their Yutate Kagura ritual on Jan. 20th each year. A ritual for good health and prevention of illness, the Yutate Kagura begins with prayers at the main sanctuary and a blessing for the onlookers. Jōnangū is known for the skill of its shrine priestesses (miko), and four of these young women perform a series of sacred kagura dances. The most dynamic part of the ritual comes with a senior priestess stirs sake, rice and salt into the pot as offerings before taking hold of sprigs of bamboo and dipping them into the pot, using them to scatter steam and boiling water around the area. Being hit by this water is even said to bring good health in the new year, and the bamboo is used afterwords as a charm for the home.
For details and more on this event, check out our website:
discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/january/yudate-shinji-jonangu
Yutate Shinji, or "Boiling Water Rituals", are a common occurrence at Shinto shrines in the winter time, and Jōnangū shrine in southern Kyoto holds their Yutate Kagura ritual on Jan. 20th each year. A ritual for good health and prevention of illness, the Yutate Kagura begins with prayers at the main sanctuary and a blessing for the onlookers. Jōnangū is known for the skill of its shrine priestesses (miko), and four of these young women perform a series of sacred kagura dances. The most dynamic part of the ritual comes with a senior priestess stirs sake, rice and salt into the pot as offerings before taking hold of sprigs of bamboo and dipping them into the pot, using them to scatter steam and boiling water around the area. Being hit by this water is even said to bring good health in the new year, and the bamboo is used afterwords as a charm for the home.
For details and more on this event, check out our website:
discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/january/yudate-shinji-jonangu
![Things to Do: Kyoto Aquarium [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/I_DqspUUGDw/mqdefault.jpg "Things to Do: Kyoto Aquarium [4K]
Kyoto is a paradise for those looking to take in the old capital’s traditional shrines and temples, but as a decently sized modern city in its own right, Kyoto is also home to a bevy of parks, museums, and more. Especially popular with families is Kyoto Aquarium, an aquarium in Umekoji Park that is home to twelve different themed areas exhibiting a variety of aquatic creatures that includes river-living Japanese giant salamanders, fish from the seas of Kyoto, playful seals, popular tropical fish, and spellbinding jellyfish. The Kyoto Aquarium is a staple with locals that makes for a fun afternoon for families, couples, or tourists looking for something to do indoors on a rainy day.")
![Beautiful Kyoto: Autumn at Kitano Tenmangū [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J6RAkVvRt0M/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Autumn at Kitano Tenmangū [4K]
To see more of Kitano Tenmangū and how to get there, check out our page: https://www.discoverkyoto.com/places-go/kitano-tenmangu
Kyotos autumn leaves (kōyō) are some of the most famous in the country, and one of the most popular places to view the changing colors is at Kitano Tenmangū. Located in northwestern Kyoto, Kitano Tenmangū is known as the shrine of Tenjin, the god of scholarship many students pray to for success in examinations. This shrine is also home to a sprawling maple garden called the Momiji-en that is opened for special viewings in the spring and fall, and both seasons offer breathtaking views in emerald green and falls warm palette. Cross the famous arched bridge and explore along leaf-strewn paths that once served as earthen fortifications around the ancient capital.")
![Kyoto Event: Kitano Odori Dance Performance [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/K4Dcy69QFwk/mqdefault.jpg "Kyoto Event: Kitano Odori Dance Performance [4K]
The geiko and maiko of Kyoto, keepers of time honored traditional dance and music, are concentrated in five kagai (geisha districts), across the city. Each of the districts performs a large-scale dance for the public once a year, and Kamishichikens districts Kitano Odori runs from March 25th to April 7th to usher in the spring. Two performances are held each day, at 1:30pm and 4:00pm. and tickets cost 4,300 yen. For an additional 500 yen guests can enjoy a cup of green tea and a sweet before the play, which also comes with a commemorative plate. Tickets can be purchased online for those with Japanese credit cards, procured through travel agents, or reserved with assistance at the Tourist Information Center in Kyoto Station.
The Kitano Odori usually consists of three sections: a multi-scene story play, a collection of themed dances, and the ever popular Kamishichiken Serenade finale piece. With the exception of the finale, the other performances change each year. Recent story plays have included Enishi no Miya, a romance about two lovers trying to prove they are meant to be together, Naniwa Utazaimon, a comic adaptation of a classic love suicide tragedy, and Shijō Kabuki, a dramatic story about the woman who invented kabuki theater.
Celebrating its 65th year in 2017, the Kitano Odori was officially begun in 1952 to commemorate the 1,050th anniversary of the founding of Kitano Tenmangū, the shrine located next to the Kamishichiken geisha district. Kamishichikens elegant geiko, charming maiko apprentices, and skilled musicians come together on this scale only once a year to put on the Kitano Odori, so dont miss out during your spring trip to Kyoto!
Kitano Odori Ticket (Performance Only): 4,300 yen
Kitano Odori Ticket (Includes Tea Ceremony): 4,800 yen
Kitano Odori Program: 600 yen
For more information, check out Kamishichikens official page:
http://www.maiko3.com/event/ev-4.html")
![Kyoto Festival: Jidai Matsuri [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MI1jNveFN-w/mqdefault.jpg "Kyoto Festival: Jidai Matsuri [4K]
For more information, check out the Jidai Matsuri page on our website:
https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/october/jidai-matsuri
Considered to be one of the top three festivals in all of Kyoto despite its status as a relatively new tradition, Heian Shrines Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) is held on October 22nd from noon each year.
The festival is primarily composed of a two kilometer, five hour long procession of countless volunteers dressed in historical garb representing Japanese cultural history from the Meiji era all the way back to the Enryaku era in the 780’s. Painstakingly recreated and researched, going so far as to even make and dye the fabric using the same techniques as they used a thousand years ago, the procession is akin to watching a living history museum march by. Not only do famous historical figures and princesses make appearance, but warriors, priests, politicians, merchants, and commoners are all represented. With that many characters, the Jidai Matsuri gives a very comprehensive look in to the clothing and appearance of Japanese past.
00:18 - Meiji Imperial Army Drum & Fife Corps
00:52 - Patriots of the Meiji Restoration
02:33 - Edo Period Procession of Shogunal Deputies
03:25 - Women of the Edo Period
04:38 - Toyotomi Hideyoris Procession
05:15 - Oda Nobubagas Entry into Kyoto
06:40 - Muromachi Shogunate Procession
07:07 - Muromachi Customs & Daily Life
07:35 - Kusunoki Masashiges Entrance into Kyoto
08:12 - Ladies from the Middle Ages
09:05 - Yabusame Archers from the Kamakura Period
09:35 - Fujiwara Courtiers Procession to Court
10:04 - Ladies from the Heian Period
11:31 - Sakanoue Tamuramoros Victorious Return
11:59 - Procession of 8th Century Court Nobles
12:13 - Offerings to the Deities
12:30 - Portable Shrine Procession
13:40 - Shirakawa-me & a Company of Archers")
![Beautiful Kyoto: Snow Day in Mt. Takao [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NUrhMyYAMsU/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Snow Day in Mt. Takao [4K]
Though you have surely seen breathtaking photos of snow-covered Kyoto, a decent snowfall that sticks around is sadly quite rare here in the ancient capital. So when the Discover Kyoto team woke to snow this January, we packed our bags and headed out bright and early to nearby Mt. Takao. Home to three historical temples and overflowing with natural beauty, Mt. Takao is famous for its fall colors… but don’t count this mountain out just because it’s winter! Whether it’s the gorgeous view of icy branches from Kōzan-ji’s hall, the striking scarlet of Saimyō’s bridge, or the snow-covered roofs of Jingo-ji, Mt. Takao is the perfect place to escape the crowds in the city center to enjoy the snow in quiet contemplation as if you were a monk of old.")
