• Setsubun-sai

  The day before RisshunKitano Tenmangu Shrine

  Setsubun is the day before the first day of spring (the last day of the old year), and with it, the setsubun festival is held at Kitano Tenmangu shrine. From the afternoon of that day, a dance is offered by Kamishichiken's geishas and maikos, and then mamemaki (scattering of beans to drive out evil spirits) occurs.

• Setsubun-sai

  3 FebruarySenbon Shakado

  Firstly, men chant working songs (craftsman preservation society dedication) at the main building. Then, in front if the Okame statue the Okame buddhist service is carried out. When that is finished, a buddhist service of prayers to ward of evil is done. After that, Shigeyama Sengoro will offer a rite for driving away demons, and lastly, everyone present does mamemaki for good luck.

• Baika-sai (Plum Blossom Festival)

  25 FebruaryKitano Tenmangu Shrine

  A festival is held for the anniversary of the death of the enshrined Sugawara no Michizane at Kitano Tenmangu shrine, who died on the 25th February in 903. As the children of Michizane,all of Kamihichiken's geisha and maiko, inside Kitano Tenmangi shrine, covered in the smell of plum blossoms, receive everyone visiting the shrine with an open-air tea ceremony.

• Kitano-odori

  25 March-7 AprilKamishichiken Kaburenjo theater

  25 March-7 April Kamishichiken Kaburenjo theater (the song and dance practice rooms) "Kitano odori" gave support to the Kitano Tenmangu shrine 1050years daimando festival in 1952, and achieved the long-awaited first performance. Since then, it has been bought up and loved by the local region, and continued to be the thing that conveys the feeling of Kyoto spring. For the finale "Kamishichiken's night song" has come to be standard, and the geisha with black hemmed dress and color, and maiko, with their various refreshing outfits, perform together.

• Ouka-sai

  10 AprilHirano Shrine

  Emporer Kazan made an imperial visit to Hirano shrine in 985, and prayed for imperial prosperity. In the morning, at the main shrine, after the cherry blossom festival, we visit the tomb of emporer Kazan. In the afternoon, starting with the imperial carriage Tenpyo women textile workers and armored knight on horseback participate in the procession.Within the grounds, cherry blossoms, particularly at night (lit up at night), are good to see.

• Beer garden

  1 July - 5 SeptemberKamishichiken Kaburenjo theater

  Held In Kamishichiken Kaburen-jo from the 1st of July to the 5th September. Geisha and miko wearing yukata are serving every day.

• Houtou-sai

  14 SeptemberHirano Shrine

  Hirano shrine was transfered from Nara to Kyoto in 794. The Hoto festival is the official festival for the anniversary of the enshrinement on this day. On the day, around 800 lanterns are lit within the grounds, and the shjnto rituals for the "Hoto festival" is held in the main shrine from 6pm continuing with offerings of recitation poems, dance and music, folk songs, and japanese dance at the front shrine. On the day, Hiyashi-ame is also given to pilgrims.

• Kotobukikai

  Beginning of OctoberKamishichiken Kaburenjo theater

  This is a dance event held for 5 days at the start of October every year. Different from spring's "Kitano odori", with Kotobuki-kai, classic literature centered on dance, it's proceedings are different.

• Kencha-kai(Tea ceremony)

  1 DecemberKitano Tenmangu Shrine

  Kencha-kai come from the Kitano oosanoyu held by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in October 1587. On the 26th of November, after offering the tea to the gods at the festival for the offering of a tea urn, the tea ceremony seat is provided at the Keidai and Kamihichiken.

• Daikon-daki

  7-8 DecemberSenbon Shakado

  Daihōon-ji's(Senbon shakado) daikon daki service is held as an anniversary to the day tha Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. It is now something that remind us of December in Kyoto. Since olden days, it is said that if one eats daikon they avoid paralysis, but in recent years, many people visit the shrine to pray for sound health.

※ The dates of festivals and events might change depending on the year