Think Kyoto is all about cherry blossoms and spring crowds? Think again! September is one of the best-kept secrets for visiting this ancient capital. As Autumn starts to show its head, the intense summer heat starts to fade, the humidity drops, and a cool, gentle breeze takes over. But the real magic? September is absolutely packed with incredible events that you just won’t see any other time of year! We’re talking about everything from traditional festivals with ancient rituals and glowing lanterns to modern-day Japanese culture, manga, and anime. So, grab your calendar, put on your comfiest walking shoes, and let’s dive into today’s blog. Trust me, this is a month you won’t want to miss!
A mouthwatering Japanese Black Wagyu beef menu – Photo Credit: Orange Terrace
Orange Terrace Summer Wagyu Fair
Would you like to try the tasty, tender, and famous Japanese Wagyu? Orange Terrace Kyoto is hosting a special Summer Wagyu Fair featuring high-quality Japanese Black Wagyu beef. The menu includes a Wagyu sirloin steak (150g for ¥4,400 or 250g for ¥6,600), red wine-braised Wagyu beef (100g for ¥1,980 or 200g for ¥3,300), a juicy 100% Wagyu thick burger (200g for ¥2,750), and a rich Wagyu Bolognese pasta (¥2,750). For just an extra ¥1,100, you can add 90 minutes of free-flow red and white wine to make it a perfect wine-pairing dinner. With both indoor and terrace seating available, this is a super convenient and delicious option for travelers staying near or passing through Kyoto Station.
Date: July 15th – September 30th
Time: 5:30 pm – 10 pm (Last Order 9:30 pm)
Admission: ¥1,980 – ¥6,600
Address: Hotel Elcient Kyoto, 13 Higashikujo Higashisannocho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8004
Website: https://orangeterrace-kyoto.com/en/news/fpu4lbx6w/
Sumo wrestler holding an adorable baby – Photo Credit: wakasa15thfd
Hassaku Festival
Want to squeeze one last drop of summer fun out of your Kyoto trip? Then, you must attend the Hassaku Festival. It’s known as the very last summer festival in Kyoto, so it’s your final chance to enjoy that lively atmosphere before autumn truly sets in. The two-day Hassaku Festival is packed full with so many unique things to see and do. The celebration starts on Saturday with a lively Bon Odori (traditional summer dance) hosted by the shrine’s youth group, where you can even join in and dance with the locals. On Sunday, the main event, you can witness the sacred “Rokusai Nenbutsu Odori”, a historic Buddhist dance performed at the shrine since the Heian period (794 to 1185). Then, head to the shrine’s south side to watch the thrilling “Hassaku Sumo”, a serious tournament that has been held here for over 800 years since the Kamakura period (1185 to 1333) and even serves as a qualifier for the National Sports Festival. One of the most heartwarming moments is the “Baby Sumo Ring Ceremony”, where parents bring their cute and adorable newborns into the ring to pray for their healthy growth. As night falls, the entire shrine grounds and pathways are beautifully illuminated by hundreds of lanterns, creating a magical, glowing atmosphere that makes this the perfect final summer festival.
Date: September 5th – 6th
Time: From 5:30 pm (5th). From 8:30 am (6th)
Admission: Free
Address: 〒616-0024 Kyoto, Nishikyo Ward, Arashiyama Miyamachi, 3
Website: https://www.matsunoo.or.jp/event/event10/
Boys wrestling at Kamigamo Shrine – Photo Credit: Kyoto University Press
Choyo Ritual and Karazusumo Wrestling
Kamigamo Shrine holds one of Kyoto’s strangest and most exciting festivals, mixing old traditions with fun competitions. It starts at 10 am with the Choyo Ritual (Chrysanthemum Ritual). A group of priests opens the main building’s doors to give gifts and yellow chrysanthemum flowers to the shrine’s god. These flowers represent a long life and are said to provide safety from harm. Next comes the Crow-Mimicking Ritual. Two men dressed in white with black shiny hats hop nine times like crows toward the holy sand piles. This honors the old story that the shrine’s divine grandfather turned into a three-legged crow to lead Japan’s first emperor. After that, the Karasuzumo Wrestling begins. Boys from nearby neighborhoods are split into two teams and fight in sumo matches one-on-one. They do this as a gift to the god, while a special priestess watches from a hall. To end the day, everyone who can drink is welcome to try the ceremonial chrysanthemum sake. Shrine workers pour it into small clay cups using golden spoons. People believe this drink brings a long life and good luck.
Date: September 9th
Time: From 10 am
Admission: Free
Address: 339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8047
Website: https://www.kamigamojinja.jp/en/rituals/karasuzumo-wrestling-and-choyo-ritual/
Cosplayers posing for a photo – Photo Credit: Cosmeet
Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair
If you’re an anime lover, then you absolutely can’t miss the Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair (KYOMAF), the biggest pop culture party in Kansai! This two-day event is spread across two main venues, each with different hours. The main action is at Miyako Messe and ROHM Theatre Kyoto, which are open from 9 am to 5 pm. Make sure you get there at least 30 minutes before closing, because that’s when they stop letting people in! But the fun doesn’t stop there; the Kyoto International Manga Museum joins in as a second venue, staying open later from 10 am to 7 pm on both days (again, last entry is 30 minutes before close). This is your chance to dive into the world of your favorite characters, discover new series, and celebrate all things manga and anime right in the heart of Kyoto!
Date: September 19th – 20th
Time: 9 am – 5 pm (Main Venues). 10 am – 7 pm (International Manga Museum)
Admission: ¥1,800 – ¥3,200 *Purchase here
Address: 9-1 Okazaki Seishojicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8343 (Miyako Messe)
13 Okazaki Saishojicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8342, Japan (ROHM Theatre)
452 Kinbukicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-0846, Japan (Kyoto International Manga Museum)
Website: https://kyomaf.kyoto/en/
Golden mikoshi at Seimei Shrine – Photo Credit: Oh! Matsuri
Seimei Festival
This is Seimei Shrine’s biggest event of the year, celebrating the legendary Heian-era master of divination and spells, Abe no Seimei. The festival lasts two days. On the 22nd, the evening kicks off at 7 pm with a charming lantern procession of about 100 local children, followed by a mesmerizing “Yutate Kagura” ritual where shrine maidens purify the crowd with sacred hot water for good health. The main event is on the 23rd, at 10 am; a formal ritual takes place with offerings of tea and flowers. Then, at 1 pm, the spectacular “Shinkosai” (Divine Procession) begins. A parade of about 500 people, led by a drum and fife corps, carries three majestic portable shrines (mikoshi) through the streets of the Nishijin district. The procession is a stunning sight, with beautifully dressed children, shrine maidens, and flower-decorated floats. The mikoshi return to the shrine at about 6 pm, ending this magical two-day celebration.
Date: September 22nd – 23rd
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Admission: Free
Address: 806 Seimeicho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8222
Website: https://www.seimeijinja.jp/event/
Shinto priests performing the autumn equinox ceremony – Photo Credit: Yasaka Jinja
Autumn Equinox Festival
Yasaka Shrine holds the “Autumnal Equinox Festival” along with a remote worship ceremony for the Imperial Ancestors Festival. This day features a formal ritual at the main hall, where priests offer prayers for the season. Following that, a separate ceremony is held to honor the spirits of the imperial family from past generations. Also on this day, the shrine conducts the “Ancestral Spirits Shrine Autumn Festival”, a more intimate event where family members of the deceased gather at the small shrine within the grounds to pay their respects to their loved ones. These ceremonies offer a calm, reflective way to mark the changing of the seasons.
Date: September 23rd
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Admission: Free
Address: 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073
Website: https://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/event/#%E5%85%AB%E5%B9%A1%E7%A4%BE%E7%A5%AD
Shinto priests performing the Moon Viewing Ceremony under lanterns – Photo Credit: Yasaka Jinja
Moon Viewing Festival
One of the most charming events of the month is the “Moon-Viewing Festival”, held on the night of the harvest moon. This event is free and open to everyone, with no tickets or reservations needed. It takes place at the shrine’s outdoor dance stage, where visitors can casually gather to admire the beauty of the full autumn moon in a peaceful, traditional setting. There are no loud parades or crowds, just a quiet, atmospheric evening under the bright moon. It’s the perfect chance to slow down, enjoy a cool September night, and experience a classic Japanese autumn tradition right in the heart of Kyoto.
Date: September 25th
Time: 7 pm
Admission: Free
Address: 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073
Website: https://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/event/#%E5%85%AB%E5%B9%A1%E7%A4%BE%E7%A5%AD
And there you have it: Kyoto in September is an absolute dream! The weather is perfect for exploring, the crowds are a bit thinner, and the city puts on a show that’s both deeply traditional and wonderfully modern. Kyoto in autumn is special, and September is your golden ticket to see it all. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning and get ready to make some incredible memories. See you in the ancient capital!
Featured Photo Credit: Omatsuri Japan
