Uploaded February 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
A temple with an interesting history that can be traced back to a single hermitage founded by a Chinese monk in 770, Kurama-dera in northern Kyoto is nestled in the ancient forests and set partway up Mount Kurama. Formally a Tendai sect Buddhist temple, they formed their own school, Kurama-kōkyō, in 1947 in order to return to their roots. The object of worship at Kurama-dera is the trinity Sonten composed of Bishamonten, the Thousand-armed Kannon, and Gohōmaōson, who are said to be a power of decending from outside our world. The mountain is also said to be the home of the legendary tengu, spirits of the mountain depicted as fierce guardians of the natural world. Because of its location this temple has a deep and abiding relationship with nature, and many of its rituals throughout the year reflect this.
We were fortunate enough to be able to go to Kurama-dera on June 20th for their annual bamboo cutting ritual, the Takekiri-eshiki (or Takekiri-e). Held as a homage to a legend about a monk of the temple and his battle with serpents as well as a form of divination regarding the crop futures in surrounding areas, the Takekiri-e is a fast-paced and exciting ritual to behold. After a memorial service held inside that expresses gratitude for nature, grains, and water the teams of local men dressed as warrior monks compete to see which can cut the thick bamboo poles in to six pieces the fastest, utilizing great strength and skill with their blades. Quite action-paced, the Takekiri-e stands out from other more sedate rituals and offers various sights for visitors to take in. Those who have a mind for nature and this sort of culture would benefit from a trip to Kurama-dera.
For details and more on this event, check out our website:
discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/june/takekiri-eshiki-kurama-temple
A temple with an interesting history that can be traced back to a single hermitage founded by a Chinese monk in 770, Kurama-dera in northern Kyoto is nestled in the ancient forests and set partway up Mount Kurama. Formally a Tendai sect Buddhist temple, they formed their own school, Kurama-kōkyō, in 1947 in order to return to their roots. The object of worship at Kurama-dera is the trinity Sonten composed of Bishamonten, the Thousand-armed Kannon, and Gohōmaōson, who are said to be a power of decending from outside our world. The mountain is also said to be the home of the legendary tengu, spirits of the mountain depicted as fierce guardians of the natural world. Because of its location this temple has a deep and abiding relationship with nature, and many of its rituals throughout the year reflect this.
We were fortunate enough to be able to go to Kurama-dera on June 20th for their annual bamboo cutting ritual, the Takekiri-eshiki (or Takekiri-e). Held as a homage to a legend about a monk of the temple and his battle with serpents as well as a form of divination regarding the crop futures in surrounding areas, the Takekiri-e is a fast-paced and exciting ritual to behold. After a memorial service held inside that expresses gratitude for nature, grains, and water the teams of local men dressed as warrior monks compete to see which can cut the thick bamboo poles in to six pieces the fastest, utilizing great strength and skill with their blades. Quite action-paced, the Takekiri-e stands out from other more sedate rituals and offers various sights for visitors to take in. Those who have a mind for nature and this sort of culture would benefit from a trip to Kurama-dera.
For details and more on this event, check out our website:
discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/june/takekiri-eshiki-kurama-temple
![Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms at Heian Shrine [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bv_YYMQOsko/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms at Heian Shrine [4K]
Numerous shrines and temples around Kyoto are famous for sakura viewing in spring, and one of those shrines is Heian Jingū. The shrines Shinen Garden is full of the beautiful weeping variety of cherry trees, whose pink blossoms spill down over bamboo supports and form curtains of flowers. Designed by the famous Ogawa Jihei (Ueji), the garden features a charming mix of Eastern and Western styles, with a beautiful pond and bridge. With gorgeous sakura blooming in spring, you wont want to miss the Heian Shrine!
To see more of Heian Shrine and how to get there, check out our page:
https://www.discoverkyoto.com/places-go/heian-jingu")
![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/")
