![Kyoto Festival: Hiwatari Matsuri at Tanukidanisan Fudō-in [4K] @discoverkyoto](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ET4kVb8rgxo/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded September 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
For more information, visit our website:
discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/july/fire-walking-tanukidanisan-fudoin-temple
Tanukidanisan Fudō-in is a temple that eschews the more traditional Buddhist sect system in favor of the ascetic nature worship of Shugendō. A practice that combines various Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist beliefs, Shungendō can be translated as "the way to spiritual power through discipline".
One of the rituals associated both with Shungendō and Fudō Myō'ō worship is the Hiwatari Matsuri, or Fire Walking Festival. In this ceremony, goma (wooden prayer sticks) are assembled into a pyre to be ritualistically burned and the still flaming ashes and remnants raked flat.
Shungenja (Shugendō followers) lead the way by walking barefoot across the hot ground before helping the public do the same. This fascinating ritual is not only interesting for its religious components but also for anyone who would like to participate themselves. Can you handle the heat?
For more information, visit our website:
discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/july/fire-walking-tanukidanisan-fudoin-temple
Tanukidanisan Fudō-in is a temple that eschews the more traditional Buddhist sect system in favor of the ascetic nature worship of Shugendō. A practice that combines various Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist beliefs, Shungendō can be translated as "the way to spiritual power through discipline".
One of the rituals associated both with Shungendō and Fudō Myō'ō worship is the Hiwatari Matsuri, or Fire Walking Festival. In this ceremony, goma (wooden prayer sticks) are assembled into a pyre to be ritualistically burned and the still flaming ashes and remnants raked flat.
Shungenja (Shugendō followers) lead the way by walking barefoot across the hot ground before helping the public do the same. This fascinating ritual is not only interesting for its religious components but also for anyone who would like to participate themselves. Can you handle the heat?
![Kyoto Festival: Hiwatari Matsuri at Tanukidanisan Fudō-in [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ET4kVb8rgxo/mqdefault.jpg "Kyoto Festival: Hiwatari Matsuri at Tanukidanisan Fudō-in [4K]
For more information, visit our website:
https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/july/fire-walking-tanukidanisan-fudoin-temple
Tanukidanisan Fudō-in is a temple that eschews the more traditional Buddhist sect system in favor of the ascetic nature worship of Shugendō. A practice that combines various Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist beliefs, Shungendō can be translated as the way to spiritual power through discipline.
One of the rituals associated both with Shungendō and Fudō Myōō worship is the Hiwatari Matsuri, or Fire Walking Festival. In this ceremony, goma (wooden prayer sticks) are assembled into a pyre to be ritualistically burned and the still flaming ashes and remnants raked flat.
Shungenja (Shugendō followers) lead the way by walking barefoot across the hot ground before helping the public do the same. This fascinating ritual is not only interesting for its religious components but also for anyone who would like to participate themselves. Can you handle the heat?")
![Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms by the Kamogawa River [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EbgFHMR5p9E/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms by the Kamogawa River [4K]
The cherry blossom season truly delivered this year! Except for a couple of rainy days, sunshine illuminated the beautiful trees in full bloom and there were many happy cherry blossom admirers in Kyoto.
Temples and shrines are popular and beautiful places to view the pink spring beauties, but the Kamogawa river in Kyoto City is also a great place. Not only is it very accessible, but it’s also the perfect place to have a picnic underneath the trees.
Our team took a camera out to the river this cherry blossom season so we could share this Kamogawa sakura magic with you all!
To see more of what Kyoto has to offer, check out our website:
https://www.discoverkyoto.com
Music: Warm Evening by FredIMusicProduction")
![Things to Do: Maiko Theater [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FAYhoRnbdF4/mqdefault.jpg "Things to Do: Maiko Theater [4K]
For reservations at the Maiko Theater for your trip to Kyoto, see here:
http://maikotheater-rs.resv.jp/reserve/calendar.php?x=1493012476&pc=1
When visitors come to Kyoto, one thing is almost always on their bucket list: to see a beautiful geiko or maiko up close and personal. But outside of the annual dance season, hoping to see one on the street, or reserving a seat on the specific day a restaurant calls an entertainer… how do you meet one without breaking the bank or knowing the right people?
That is where the Maiko Theater comes in! At the Maiko Theater guests can choose between four different dining courses according to their budget/desired reservation time. During the course guests are treated not only to a delicious catered meal, but to explanations from staff in English or Japanese, an intimate hosted tea ceremony with sweets, and of course, a traditional dance performed by the maiko host(s). Like at expensive zashiki banquet parties, you can also try your hand at chatting with the young ladies, and a commemorative group photo will make sure you don’t forget meeting one of Kyoto’s beloved maiko!")
![Kyoto Event: Takigi Noh at Heian Shrine 2019 (Day Two) [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FclgA6h4xZU/mqdefault.jpg "Kyoto Event: Takigi Noh at Heian Shrine 2019 (Day Two) [4K]
On June 1st and 2nd, 2019, the 70th Annual Takigi Noh performance took place at Heian Shrine in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. Honoring the abdication of Emperor Akihito and the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, the theme for this year’s Takigi Noh was “Celebrating a New Era”. Noh is the oldest style of Japanese theater still practiced today, which makes it quite a fitting form to celebrate such a momentous occasion. Selected scenes from the plays “Heian”, “Sōshiarai Komachi”, “Shakkyō”, “Hagoromo”, and “Ema”, performed by the Kanze and Kongō schools of noh, as well as the more comedic kyōgen via “Fukube no Shin Tsutomeiri” and “Niō” performed by the Ōkura school, were performed to mark the occasion, mixing classic performance staples with rarely performed ceremonial pieces.
Takigi Noh is an event not to be missed if you find yourself in Kyoto in June, so make sure to check before you come or book your tickets in advance!
For more information and photos:
https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/june/takigi-noh-heian-shrine/
and
http://www.kyoto-nohgaku.or.jp/kyoto-takiginoh-en/")
![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")
