Uploaded February 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
On April 3rd, a grand sumo tournament took place in Kyoto. Kyoto has been waiting for six years for this exciting event to come to their city. Typically, sumo tournaments are held in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. This rare event attracted a lot of excited people who made sure they didn't miss a beat.
The day started with bouts between the trainee Rikishis (the correct term for sumo wrestlers). In the afternoon, there were bouts between the professional wrestlers.
Seeing these larger than life Rikishi (correct term for sumo wrestlers) in the flesh was amazing. People lined up to take photos with the Rikishi, they were like celebrities. According to the National Japanese Sumo Association, The first sumo matches were a form of ritual dedicated to the gods with prayers of for a bountiful harvest.
As you can see from the footage, the day was action packed and filled with excitement. We felt very lucky to be able to see this event in Kyoto, we hope you enjoy the video.
To see more of what Kyoto has to offer, check out the event calendar on our website:
discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar
Music: 'Adrift' by Reaktor Productions
On April 3rd, a grand sumo tournament took place in Kyoto. Kyoto has been waiting for six years for this exciting event to come to their city. Typically, sumo tournaments are held in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. This rare event attracted a lot of excited people who made sure they didn't miss a beat.
The day started with bouts between the trainee Rikishis (the correct term for sumo wrestlers). In the afternoon, there were bouts between the professional wrestlers.
Seeing these larger than life Rikishi (correct term for sumo wrestlers) in the flesh was amazing. People lined up to take photos with the Rikishi, they were like celebrities. According to the National Japanese Sumo Association, The first sumo matches were a form of ritual dedicated to the gods with prayers of for a bountiful harvest.
As you can see from the footage, the day was action packed and filled with excitement. We felt very lucky to be able to see this event in Kyoto, we hope you enjoy the video.
To see more of what Kyoto has to offer, check out the event calendar on our website:
discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar
Music: 'Adrift' by Reaktor Productions
![Beautiful Kyoto: Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cl2reoZNI4g/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) [4K]
For more information on boat launch times, which change depending on the season and day, check the Hozugawa Kudari’s official English website here:
https://www.hozugawakudari.jp/en
A trip to Kyoto wouldn’t be complete without exploring the city’s gorgeous natural scenery, and one of the best ways to do this is to take a short train trip to the neighboring city of Kameoka and board the Hozugawa Kudari boat ride! This popular river route has a rich history dating back more than 400 years and offers visitors a chance to enjoy a leisurely and entertaining boat ride through one of Kyoto’s most beautiful areas.
Taking approximately two hours to travel 16 kilometers down the Hozugawa river between Kameoka and the well-known sightseeing area Arashiyama, the Hozugawa Kudari boat ride costs 4,100 yen for adults and 2,700 yen for children aged 4-12. Though most of the river provides a smooth, calming journey, there are a few rapids that supply some additional excitement along the way, and depending on the season you can enjoy cherry blossoms, vivid greenery, fall colors, and even snow! With the trip narrated by jaunty boatmen ready to point out local ravine wildlife, historical spots, comically shaped rocks, good photograph spots, and the finer points of boat steerage, you’ll be in good hands until you reach land once more.")
![Kyoto Event: Takigi Noh at Heian Shrine 2018 [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dgHkrtWP994/mqdefault.jpg "Kyoto Event: Takigi Noh at Heian Shrine 2018 [4K]
For more information and photographs: https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/june/takigi-noh-heian-shrine/
AND
http://www.kyoto-nohgaku.or.jp/kyoto-takiginoh-en/
On June 1st and 2nd, 2018, the 69th Annual Takigi Noh performance took place at Heian Shrine in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. Tragic Hero: The Life of Minamoto no Yoshitsune was the theme of this years performance, and with this dramatic topic the audience was shown scenes from the legendary warriors childhood in Kyoto through his campaign in the Genpei War and his unfortunate end by betrayal. With this story-like theme, the 2018 Takigi Noh was particularly easy to follow and enjoy, even for a complete beginner! Get a taste of noh, the oldest style of Japanese theater still practiced today, through selected scenes from the plays Hashi Benkai, Eboshi Ori, Funa Benkei, Kurama Tengu, Giō, and Shōzon performed by the Kanze and Kongo schools of noh, with assistance from actors from the more comedic Ogura school of kyogen.
Takigi Noh is an event not to be missed if you find yourself in Kyoto in June, so make sure to check Discover Kyoto and book your tickets in advance!")
![Kyoto Festival: 47 Rōnin March (Gishi Matsuri) [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/epoNCStvO9Q/mqdefault.jpg "Kyoto Festival: 47 Rōnin March (Gishi Matsuri) [4K]
Bishamon-dō temple in the Yamashina ward of Kyoto is host of the Gishi Matsuri, a festival connected to the famous tale of the 47 Rōnin. Held on December 14th, the day the warriors set out from Kyoto towards Edo to take revenge for their lord’s disgrace and death, the Gishi Matsuri recreates history with a procession that sets out from Bishamon-dō and marches about Yamashina, making stops along the way to perform music and recreations of the dramatic events, as well as offer prayers at historic sites such as Iwaya-ji temple and Ōishi Shrine, where the leader of the 47 Rōnin is enshrined. To learn more about this event, check out Discover Kyoto: https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/december/gishi-matsuri-yamashina-bishamondo/")
![Kyoto Event: Light Festival at Shimogamo Shrine (Tadasu no Mori) [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fKClm4eyjqg/mqdefault.jpg "Kyoto Event: Light Festival at Shimogamo Shrine (Tadasu no Mori) [4K]
Many people look forward to light-ups held at Kyotos gorgeous shrines and temples that allow visitors to visit after dark, but recently Shimogamo Shrine blew the rest away as the host of an incredibly anticipated art installation! Held from August 17th - 31st, 2016, Light Festival in Tadasu no Mori at the World Heritage of Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto was created by the illustrious teamLab, who are known for their interactive and immersive art projects using digital technology. Made up of two parts, the Restonating Forest in the Tadasu no Mori outside the shrine buildings (free) and the Resonating Spheres just within the Rōmon Gate (500 yen), this light festival was a big hit with Kyoto locals and tourists both. Soft lights and sound illuminated the path between the torii and the shrines iconic two-storied gate, and passing through showed visitors a whole new world populated with glowing spheres that reacted to the music and the touch of a hand. Resonating spheres floated just above head-height all about the shrines courtyard and hovered in two of the open-wallwed halls, bathing visitors in the mystic glow designed to bring them awareness of other living creatures with which they share their space. If we are lucky, teamLab will bring another of their gorgeous art installations to Kyoto again soon!")
![Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms at the Okazaki Biwako Canal [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fLZ9_Z1iKN0/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms at the Okazaki Biwako Canal [4K]
During Kyotos famous sakura season the Okazaki area around the famous Heian Shrine bursts into bloom. Of particular interest to visitors is the Biwako Canal that forms a sort of moat around the area, bringing water in to Kyoto from neighboring Shigas Lake Biwa. This canal is lined with cherry blossoms and features a charming vermilion bridge near the shrines large torii gate, making for a lovely photo op. This area is also lit up at night to allow visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms even longer, and for those interested in getting a different view there are even jikkokubune (traditional boats) that offer a 25 minute long scenic ride along the canal both day and night. Take a boat ride and enjoy the waters of Okazakis canal combined with the spring charm of Kyotos cherry blossoms.
For more details, schedules, reservations, and prices for the jikkokubune boat rides, check the official website here in English: http://kyoto-tabi.or.jp/events/jkkfn/_en/")
