Uploaded December 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Funaoka Taisai is the annual festival for Kenkun Shrine where famous warlord Oda Nobunaga is enshrined.
Accompanied by ancient court music, the priests present offerings of food and drink before the altar.
As everyone shows their respect, the head priest reads aloud prayers in the inner shrine.
Part of the play Atsumori, said to be a favorite of Nobunaga, was performed as a ritual offering by the Kongo school of noh.
A bugaku (traditional court dance) called Konju was then performed.
Honored guests took turns presenting sacred tamagushi before the shrine.
To conclude the ritual, falconers of the Suwa style demonstrated hawking techniques, a sport once enjoyed by Nobunaga.
For details and more on this event, check out our website:
discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/october/funaoka-taisai-kenkun-shrine
Funaoka Taisai is the annual festival for Kenkun Shrine where famous warlord Oda Nobunaga is enshrined.
Accompanied by ancient court music, the priests present offerings of food and drink before the altar.
As everyone shows their respect, the head priest reads aloud prayers in the inner shrine.
Part of the play Atsumori, said to be a favorite of Nobunaga, was performed as a ritual offering by the Kongo school of noh.
A bugaku (traditional court dance) called Konju was then performed.
Honored guests took turns presenting sacred tamagushi before the shrine.
To conclude the ritual, falconers of the Suwa style demonstrated hawking techniques, a sport once enjoyed by Nobunaga.
For details and more on this event, check out our website:
discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/october/funaoka-taisai-kenkun-shrine
![Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms at Ninna-ji Temple [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oO7SqyKi7CE/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms at Ninna-ji Temple [4K]
When it comes to sakura season in Kyoto, you have a lot of options when it comes to the type of flowers youd like to see. Weeping cherry trees, double-flowered cherry trees, mountain cherry trees... and Omuro cherry trees! This particular type of sakura is shorter than others, features white blossoms, and blooms later than most other types. Ninna-ji temple in northwestern Kyoto is famous for their grove of Omuro Sakura, and the sight of the temples pagoda over a sea of flowers is iconic. Dont miss Ninna-jis cherry blossoms in late April!
To see more of Ninna-ji Temple and how to get there, check out our page:
https://www.discoverkyoto.com/places-go/ninna-ji")
![Beautiful Kyoto: Autumn 2016 Tōfuku-ji [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pMFqMyTvPWE/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Autumn 2016 Tōfuku-ji [4K]
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 Tōfuku-ji temple. One of the citys Five Great Zen Temples, Tōfuku-ji was founded in 1236 and is home to a famous series of gardens and one of the oldest Sanmon Gates in Japan. When it comes to seasonal delights, however, go to Tōfuku-ji for their gorgeous mini-valley filled with maple trees. The Tsūten-kyō Bridge crosses over this rich sea of colors, allowing visitors to feel as if they are floating on a sea of red autumn leaves.
To see more of Tōfuku-ji and how to get there, check out our page: https://www.discoverkyoto.com/places-go/tofuku-ji/
Music: Autumn Piano by SuricateBand")
![Beautiful Kyoto: Plum Blossom Viewing Spots (Kitano Tenmangū, Jōnangū & Zuishin-in) [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pXa0g1zRX98/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Plum Blossom Viewing Spots (Kitano Tenmangū, Jōnangū & Zuishin-in) [4K]
See more beautiful plum blossoms at our website:
https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/march/plum-blossoms/
Though Japan may be famous for its cherry blossoms, those knowledgeable about their greenery are aware that there are actually many more flowering trees and plants that are popular for seasonal viewing nationwide.
The precursor to the blooming of sakura, ume (plum trees) were introduced from China hundreds of years ago and come in shades from pure white to dark pink. Plums are a popular food in Japanese cuisine, and you will find them in many forms from your tea to pickles in the center of your rice balls. In addition, plum trees were thought to ward off danger, and it was once common to plant them in the northeast corner of gardens, that direction being considered most susceptible to misfortune.
Plum blossoms may be difficult to distinguish from cherry and peach to the untrained eye, and similar to those other flowering trees they have a somewhat short lifespan. Still, plum trees bloom slightly longer and are usually visible from the colder month of February down through March. Events such as plum viewings and tea ceremonies are also held around this time. If you’re in Kyoto during this season, be sure to keep your eye out for these cheerful flowers blooming despite the chill in the air.")
