Known affectionately as "Kitano Tenmangu Shrine" or "Tenjin-san," various Tanabata rituals are held at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine from early August, including special nighttime viewing and the Mitarashi River Adding Light Ceremony. The main shrine building, a national treasure, and other shrine pavilions are beautifully illuminated. Let's purify your mind by the pure Mitarashi River and be healed by the gentle lights.

Date/Time: Mitarashi Festival August 7 (Wed.) 10:00
Kitano Manto Kai, Tanabata Festival Light-up August 2 (Fri.) - August 18 (Sun.) Sunset - 20:00 (closing time)
Mitarashi River Ashizuke Tomei Jinji August 2 (Fri.) - August 18 (Sun.) 9:00 - 20:00 (last admission 19:40)
Ishi-no-Ma (stone room) passage through the shrine, exhibition of sacred treasures and costumes August 9 (Fri.) - August 12 (Mon., holiday) 9:00 - 20:00 (last entry 19:40) *Please note that the entry hours may change according to the ceremony.
Kitano Summer Festival (Ume-en Naiju-hama Light-up) August 9 (Fri.) - August 12 (Mon., holiday) 16:00 - 20:00 (closing gate)

One of the largest Tanabata Sky Lantern Festivals in Japan is held to enjoy the summer night sky with light. The spectacle of thousands of lanterns floating in the sky above, turning the summer night sky orange, is breathtaking. There are also many food stalls and Tanabata-related events to enjoy in your spare time.

Dates / July 12 (Friday) to 16 (Tuesday), 2024

The "Hiwatari Festival" is held to pray for safety in the home and good health. About 20 Yamabushi (mountain priests) walk barefoot across a fire made by collapsing a burning gomadan (fire altar). General visitors are also welcome to follow the Yamabushi. Visitors can witness the mysterious sight of flames soaring up and illuminating the main hall.

Date / Sunday, July 28, 2024
Time／19:00~

The festival is held to express gratitude to the deity of Shingu Shrine, a regent shrine that enshrines the deity of the Chinese zodiac for the year 2024, and to pray for a safe journey through the extreme heat of the summer. Feel the blessings of the water and be healed by the murmuring of the stream.

Date / Sunday, July 28, 2024
Hours/9:30-16:30

The "Daigoji Manto-e" is an event to offer offer offerings to ancestors and spirits, and to pray for thanksgiving for life. At sunset, lanterns and lantern baskets along the approach to the temple are lit, and Buddhist services and memorial services are held. The Kondo Hall and the five-story pagoda, both national treasures, are illuminated by the lights, creating a fantastic atmosphere in the temple grounds.

Date / Monday, August 5, 2024
Time/18:00 - 20:30