On Saturday, September 26, 2026, a moon-viewing event titled “Moon Viewing Festival—Composing Poems About the Moon, Admiring the Moon”—will be held at the World Heritage Site [Ninna-ji Temple] (Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture).
A variety of events are planned, including a tour of [Hitōtei]—an Important Cultural Property that is normally closed to the public and said to be the tea room beloved by the Emperor—as well as a tanka recital concert in the National Treasure [Kondo], a tanka-composing workshop, matcha and Japanese sweets, and a nighttime illumination display. Even those with no prior experience in tanka or knowledge of its etiquette can easily participate, as special instructors will guide them through the process.
Wait for the moon, gaze at it, and compose a poem inspired by it—why not spend this special day, which comes only once a year, at [Ninna-ji]?

"A Seat Waiting for the Moon"
Program: Special viewing of the National Treasure [Kondō] (Main Hall), poetry recitation inside the [Hitō-tei] pavilion, matcha and Japanese sweets, and free viewing of the Imperial Villa Gardens
Time: 1st Seating 12:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m. (2nd Seating is sold out)
Price: 77,000 yen
Capacity: 8 people

"Nighttime Viewing of the Sea of Clouds and the Full Moon"　
Content: Illumination, Special Exhibits
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Last admission: 8:30 p.m.)
Price: 5,000 yen; 4,200 yen with advance reservation

"Special Seating for a Night of Moon Gazing"
Program: Goka Concert, tour of the exterior of [Hito-to-tei], poetry recitation at the Moon-Viewing Platform, matcha and Japanese sweets, nighttime illumination, special exhibition
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Price: 28,000 yen; 24,800 yen with advance reservation
Capacity: 20 people per section