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Discover Latest #Kyoto News, Articles and Videos with Contenting
- ABC News Find the latest Kyoto news from WIRED. See related science and technology articles, photos, slideshows and videos. Kyoto is a city located in Japan, and is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage. The city is home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples in the world. It is also home to some of the most beautiful gardens and shrines, making it a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Kyoto is also known for its traditional cuisine, with a variety of flavors from all over Japan. Visitors can enjoy the city's many festivals, including the famous Gion Festival and the Aoi Matsuri. Kyoto is also a great place to experience traditional Japanese art and culture, with a variety of museums and galleries located throughout the city.
7 recommended spots to see autumn leaves in Kyoto - Japan Travel Guide MATCHA
We will introduce you to some autumn foliage spots that are easily accessible from Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi and where you can fully enjoy the autumn atmosphere. We will also introduce a carefully selected list of recommended spots where autumn leaves will be lit up to brighten up Kyoto at night.
What Are Japan’s Famous Yokai? | Arigato Travel
Most often associated with Japanese monsters, Yokai is a broad term that encapsulates any and all supernatural phenomena. Although the term Yokai may sound unfamiliar, you have likely encountered Yokai already in some way, especially if you are a fan of Japanese pop culture. Many of the unique monsters and characters from Nintendo franchises, such as Mario and Pokémon, are inspired by Yokai. The iconic “No-Face” from the Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away is also inspired by a Yokai called Nopperabo. These supernatural entities have even made their way to Hollywood; the Yokai Te-no-Me makes an appearance as a frightening demon with eyes in its palms in Guillermo del Toro’s film Pan’s Labyrinth. In Japan, some of the most popular and enduring Yokai include kitsune, kappa, bake-danuki, and tsuchinoko. So, let's have a closer look at these incredible mythical creatures and what makes them so special to Japanese culture! Kitsune Arguably the most iconic Yokai, the kitsune is a shapeshifting fox spirit known for its clever mind and deceptive tricks that range from harmless mischief to pure villainy. Kitsune are incredibly popular among Japanese people and tourists alike, and for some, they are almost symbolic of Japan. They have appeared in popular anime such as Naruto and can be found decorating souvenirs in stores throughout Japan. Many associate kitsune with the ‘nine-tailed fox spirit,’ and although kitsune can have up to nine tails, not all of them do. It is believed that the more tails it has, the more powerful the kitsune becomes. The most powerful kitsune of them all is the legendary – and villainous – Tamamo-no-Mae. According to legend, she was originally born in China and spent hundreds of years wreaking havoc among the wealthy and powerful there as well as in India. She eventually found her way to Japan and into the Emperor’s court as a courtesan. Shortly after, the Emperor mysteriously fell ill. Desperate to save his life, the court magician, Abe no Yasunari, divined that the beautiful courtesan Tamamo-no-Mae was actually an evil kitsune in disguise! True identity revealed, Tamamo-no-Mae suddenly vanished from the palace before she could be captured. The Emperor sent his best warriors, Kazusa-no-suke and Miura-no-suke, to hunt her down. They chased her across the country, eventually killing her. As she died, Tamamo-no-Mae’s body transformed into a stone, and purportedly, anyone who touches the stone will die. It may surprise you, but the Killing Stone (Sessho-seki), as it came to be known, is very real. Located just north of Tokyo in Nikko National Park, the legendary stone sits innocuously at the foot of the active volcano Mount Chausu. Every year, on the last Sunday in May, a mysterious nighttime ritual is conducted, in which fox-masked participants beat taiko drums around a bonfire in an attempt to appease the kitsune’s dark spirit. However, in 2022, the Killing Stone suddenly split in two, an occurrence that many can’t help but fear is a bad omen for things to come. Sesshoseki/the Killing Stone Address: 182 Yumoto, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi 325-0301, Japan Open Hours: 24/7 Phone Number: +81287726918 Website: https://www.town.nasu.lg.jp/0224/info-0000000398-1.html Kappa Another of Japan’s most beloved Yokai is the kappa. Easily recognizable, kappa are depicted as green humanoids with webbed feet and turtle shells. Like kitsune, they love mischief, but unlike kitsune, they usually aren’t malevolent (although they have been known to drown a person or two). These river-dwelling imps are famous for their love of two things: cucumbers and sumo-wrestling. Although the kappa might not be as well-known outside of Japan as the kitsune, Nintendo fans might recognize the inspiration behind the Koopa in the Mario franchise, as well as the sea-shanty-slinging Kapp’n from Animal Crossing. If you would like to go kappa-spotting, there’s no need to get wet; head to Kappabashi Kitchen Street. Just a short distance from the popular sightseeing spot Sensoji, Kappabashi (lit. Kappa Bridge) is a long shopping street whose shops specialize in kitchenware. It’s an excellent place to pick up anything from handmade cooking knives to industrial kitchen appliances, and many visitors flock to Kappabashi just to buy shokuhin sampuru as souvenirs. But what does that have to do with Kappa? In the 1800s, this whole area was prone to disastrous flooding from the nearby Sumida River during storms. Local umbrella and raincoat merchant Kihachi set out to fix the problem by building a drainage canal. According to legend, the Sumida River Kappa aided in the construction, and anyone who saw them was blessed with good fortune in business. Kihachi was nicknamed Kappa Kawataro, and a golden statue of him stands along Kappabashi Street in memory. Just like Hidden Mickeys at Disney World, there are little Kappa statues and imagery all over Kappabashi Street for eagle-eyed tourists. For those who are really interested in Kappa, head north from Kappabashi to Sogenji Temple. After his death, Kappa Kawataro was laid to rest at Sogenji, and the Temple was henceforth known as Kappa-dera. Here, offerings of cucumbers and sake are placed in front of kappa statues, and – most remarkably – enshrined behind glass is what the temple claims to be the mummified hand of a real Kappa! Kappabashi Kitchen Street Address: 3 Chome-18-2 Matsugaya, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0036, Japan Open Hours: 9 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday. Closed Saturdays and Sundays. Phone Number: +81338441225 Website: http://www.kappabashi.or.jp/ Sogenji Temple Address: 3 Chome-7-2 Matsugaya, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0036, Japan Phone Number: +81338412035 Website: http://www.sogenji.jp/ Bake-Danuki Another Yokai inspired by a real-life creature is the bake-danuki. The bake-danuki takes after the tanuki, an animal native to Japan that is something of a cross between a raccoon and a dog. Similar to the kitsune and kappa, bake-danuki love using shapeshifting to get up to mischief. Bake-danuki mischief is usually harmless fun. They often appear in children’s stories as troublemakers who learn important morals. For those familiar with the legendary Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli, you may recognize bake-danuki from their 1994 film Pom Poko, in which a group of bake-danuki use their shape-shifting skills to save their home from deforestation. The Japanese folktale Bunbuku’s Teakettle is a classic example of bake-danuki hijinks. In many versions of this story, a bake-danuki shape shifts into a teakettle and hides in a temple. When the temple priests went to make tea and placed the kettle over the fire, the teakettle shouted “hot!” and promptly turned back into bake-danuki form. The priests chased the creature all around the temple until it shifted back into a kettle. Eager to be rid of the troublesome thing, they sold the kettle to a passing rag-peddler. The peddler was shocked to discover that his newest purchase was, in fact, a shapeshifting raccoon dog. Instead of beating or chasing him, the peddler made a deal with the bake-danuki. In exchange for food and a place to stay, the bake-danuki would perform his shapeshifting tricks for an audience. As a result, the peddler became a wealthy man, eventually donating some of that wealth to the temple he originally bought the teakettle from. Like Tamamo-no-mae’s Killing Stone, the temple in Bunbuku’s Teakettle is a real place. Located in Gunma Prefecture, Morinji Temple is easy to spot by its dozens of tanuki statues leading up to the main temple building. Along the way, there are a number of plaques that also tell the story of Bunbuku’s Teakettle for visitors who may be unfamiliar with the tale. You don’t need to travel to Gunma to spot a bake-danuki, however. You can find them almost anywhere. Bake-danuki are associated with luck and good fortune (as evidenced by the folktale) in Japan, so many Japanese restaurants and stores have bake-danuki statues outside their doors to welcome visitors. Morinji Temple Address: 1570 Horikucho, Tatebayashi, Gunma 374-0033, Japan Phone Number: +81276721514 Website: https://morinji.com/ Tsuchinoko Although not quite as well-known as kitsune, kappa, or bake-danuki, tsuchinoko are beloved by many in Japan. Tsuchinoko means “hammer child,” a name which is in reference to the creature’s peculiar shape. Tsuchinoko are short, fat snakes shaped like the head of a hammer. Despite their shape, Tsuchinoko are known to be very agile and get around by rolling everywhere. Like many Yokai, tsuchinoko are supposedly big fans of sake. For fans of Pokémon, you might recognize tsuchinoko as the inspiration behind Dunsparce, whose Japanese name, Nokocchi, is an anagram of Tsuchinoko. Tsuchinoko are not associated with specific fairytales or myths like many Yokai; instead, they are viewed most like a cryptid. Something akin to a Japanese Bigfoot, many would swear that tsuchinoko are real, and some even claim to have seen one. Tsuchinoko sightings became a hot topic in the 70s, with people all over Japan going on tsuchinoko hunts, photographs of what were claimed to be tsuchinoko surfaced, and even TV specials on the creature became common. If you would like to find a tsuchinoko yourself, you’re in luck. For the past three decades, the village of Higashi-Shirakawa in Gifu Prefecture has been hosting an annual Tsuchinoko Festival, where hundreds of participants from all over Japan descend on the village in search of the legendary chubby reptile. If the love of the game isn’t enough of a draw for you, the village is enticing participants with a reward of over one million yen for whoever is the first to find and capture a genuine tsuchinoko! Higashi-Shirakawa Address: Kamo District, Gifu Mizuki Shigeru Road If you are interested in spotting even more Yokai, take a trip to the town of Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture. Sakaiminato is the hometown of manga artist and Yokai expert Mizuki Shigeru. Mizuki is credited with reviving public interest in Yokai through his popular manga GeGeGe Kitaro, which focuses on Yokai and the supernatural. To pay homage to their hometown hero, Sakaiminato has an entire street dedicated to Mizuki and his creations, fittingly called Mizuki Shigeru Road. The street is lined with over 100 bronze statues of Mizuki’s Yokai characters. Along the way, stop at the Yokai Shrine, where you can get a unique Yokai-themed lucky charm. There are also plenty of fun souvenirs and treats to try at the shop GeGeGe no Yokai Rakuen. At the end of the road lies a museum dedicated to the artist, where fans can see original works and displays of Yokai. Don’t forget to check out the street at night, when the length of the street is illuminated with shadowy, spooky Yokai lights. Mizuki Shigeru Road Address: Taishomachi, Sakaiminato, Tottori 684-0004, Japan Open Hours: 24/7 Phone Number: +81859470121 Website: http://mizuki.sakaiminato.net/road/ Yokai Shrine Address: 62-1 Taishomachi, Sakaiminato, Tottori 684-0004, Japan Open Hours: 24/7 Phone Number: +81859470520 Website: http://yo-kai.net/ Mizuki Shigeru Museum Address: 5 Honmachi, Sakaiminato, Tottori 684-0025, Japan Open Hours: 9:30 am - 5 pm, 7 days a week Phone Number: +81859422171 Website: http://mizuki.sakaiminato.net/ Night Parade of 100 Demons If seeing a Yokai in our world isn’t enough for you, how about entering theirs? This autumn, Yokai from across the nation will gather to haunt the city of Kyoto in a ghastly Night Parade of 100 Demons. Put on your spookiest costume and join the procession during 2025’s Mysterious Yokai Festival. A relatively new festival, held for the first time in 2024, the Mysterious Yokai Festival is a two-month-long event held at Kyoto Studio Park. Featuring activities for all ages, including a flea market focused on Yokai artists from around the country. This year’s event will take place from September 13th to November 30th. Event Website: https://www.toei-eigamura.com/yokai/ Toei Kyoto Studio Park Address: 10 Uzumasa Higashihachiokacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8586, Japan Open Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday. 9 am - 9 pm, Saturday - Sunday Phone Number: +81758647716 Website: https://www.toei-eigamura.com/ The Enduring Appeal of Yokai The most important thing to know about Yokai is that, like all folklore and myth, they represent the people who made them. Their enduring appeal lies in the appeal of Japan as a nation. Japan is small, but its people are as diverse and colorful as the Yokai they have created. The vast plethora of Yokai acts almost as a history book or encyclopedia, giving us deeper insight into Japanese society and its history. So, next time you visit this amazing country, don't hesitate to dive into its incredible culture and history. And when you're done, why don't you tell us which one is your favourite Yokai! Featured Photo Credit: SHI_T.H Looking to create your own cultural adventure but not sure where to start? Our team of travel experts is more than ready to craft you a perfect itinerary for your next vacation!
14 Best Things To Do And See in Osaka
With Osaka having excellent air connections to Australia, we chose Osaka over Tokyo as our first destination to explore in Japan. Osaka is close to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe, on Honshu island, giving you plenty to do on an Osaka-based vacation. Here are our recommendations for the best things to see and do in Osaka.
Japan Autumn Leaves 2025: Save the Best Viewing Dates! | Arigato Travel
Autumn is just around the corner, and that means it's time once again to get ready for nature’s beautiful change to welcome in the new season. And this is something especially true in Japan! Although not as well known worldwide, the change of the Autumn leaves is just as important a time in Japanese culture as the Sakura Season. Every year, people around the country gather not only to admire the beautiful and colorful changes but also to welcome in the new season as we begin to head into the final months of the year. Peak Viewing Dates Overview Much like preparing for hanami, one must consider the time and location when viewing autumn foliage. After all, not every area experiences the same weather, and this can certainly affect when and how the trees change their colors. This year, Sapporo will be the first to see the trees take on their fall appearance, predicted to begin on November 7th. From here, you can follow the foliage down the countryside, with one of the latest peak viewing dates expected to take place in Fukuoka on the 9th of December. Autumn Foliage in the Three Major Cities Tokyo Of course, the most popular spots to enjoy the Fall Foliage are always the major cities, and it’s not hard to see why. Tokyo’s modern cityscape transforms with the red, orange, and yellow leaves, creating a magical atmosphere that perfectly combines the new world with Japan’s longstanding culture. It really is one of the best times to explore the capital, and this year, you can expect peak time to arrive on the 30th of November. Kyoto Kyoto in Autumn, on the other hand, with its historical and traditional atmosphere, transforms the city into a picturesque atmosphere that is bound to transport you back to a bygone era. And we’re not kidding when we say it’s going to be gorgeous, every photo you take wandering the city streets is sure to be immediately Insta-worthy! This year, the peak viewing date is expected to occur on December 12th. Osaka Finally, let’s move on to the last of the three major cities, Osaka. Also known as Japan’s Kitchen, Osaka is the place to be for delicious culinary delights, and Autumn is certainly no different. With the streets and sightseeing spots transforming under the red, yellow, and orange leaves, there is no better time to sit back and enjoy some beautiful food whilst appreciating the beauty of nature. Osaka’s peak foliage date this year is expected to be on December 4th. Our Top Viewing Spots Suruga and Shizuoka As you may know, we love to get off the beaten track, which is why one of our top spots for Autumn Foliage viewing has to be Suruga and Shizuoka Prefecture! After all, what makes for a better photo opportunity than framing the majestic Mt. Fuji with the gorgeous autumn colors of the surrounding trees? Combine this with how many incredible Japanese experiences you can find in Suruga, and it’s honestly the perfect place to grab all of your autumn adventures in Japan! Located around the Mt. Fuji area, the peak viewing dates for Shizuoka are said to take place around December 6th. If you’re hoping to visit Suruga in Autumn, make sure you keep an eye out to see if there are more exact dates released! And if you’d like some help planning your Suruga in Fall, our Tailored Travel team is more than happy to help you out, working closely with our amazing friends and partners, Visit Suruga, to craft you an incredible itinerary and trip you’ll never forget! Nagoya Nagoya is another spot very close to our hearts, and autumn time is certainly no exception. Known for its large number of temples that transform under the red, orange, and yellow foliage, transporting you to a bygone era of tradition and culture. Just like Kyoto, Autumn in Nagoya perfectly encapsulates just how important this season is to Japan. The best part? The crowds found in the bigger cities are practically non-existent, allowing you to explore at your own pace and escape the pressures of everyday life. And to make things even easier, our friends at Nagoya is not boring have an incredible private tour taking you through some of the best spots to view the Fall Foliage. This year, the peak viewing dates are expected to start around December 3rd. Some Other Amazing Spots to See the Foliage Fukushima Probably one of the more underrated areas, Fukushima City is filled to the brim with incredible nature spots, untouched by man, and gorgeous temples. Under the Autumn foliage, all of these amazing aspects come alive with a beauty you simply cannot experience anywhere else, making it perfect for history and nature lovers alike. Fukushima’s peak viewing dates typically fall on the 24th of November, so it’s important to keep an eye out during this period to catch the best times! Hiroshima The City of Peace is always a memorable city to visit, any time of the year. But when the trees change their colors, the whole atmosphere changes into something truly magical. Whether you're reflecting in Peace Memorial Park, spectating the floating torii from the famous Itsukushima Shrine, or simply exploring the city to find all of its hidden gems, you are sure to find autumn beauty no matter where you go. This year, the peak viewing dates for Hiroshima are expected to occur on November 28th. Nara Known for its high population of friendly deer and its gorgeous nature park, Nara is already a must-visit for any Japan trip. During the autumn months, the already beautiful city transforms into a serene landscape like nothing you’ve ever seen or felt before! It’s the perfect spot to take time, sit back, and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, underneath amazing colors. This year, the peak viewing time period for the autumn leaves is expected to take place starting from November 26th. Well, that’s it for this year! Of course, one important thing to remember is that nature is unpredictable, and right now, it is still early days. So remember to double-check the specific dates for any location you want to visit before you go. The Japan Weather Association is always a good bet for events like this, so make sure to keep an eye out! Autumn in Japan is a magical time of year, and this is made all the more true thanks to the gorgeous fall foliage that transforms the entire country. We can’t wait to take it all in, and we hope to see you there! Featured Photo Credit: anek.soowannaphoom Ready for more ways to experience the magic this Fall? Check out our list of recommended Autumn Tours to find the perfect seasonal tour packed with memories that will last a lifetime.
Brewing Perfection: Kikkoman’s Craft Soy Sauce | Arigato Travel
Take a look inside your cupboard. Chances are, you'll find a bottle of a dark, salty, and savory sauce from this famous, long-standing Japanese company, a perfect complement to rice and countless other dishes. Since the Edo period, Kikkoman has been refining its skills in producing some of Japan's finest soy sauce, now found in households around the world. Receiving the 2024 OMOTENASHI SELECTION Grand Gold Award for their luxuriously produced Goyougura series soy sauce, Kikkoman has perfected its craft through around 300 years of brewing and sourcing only the finest quality ingredients. Join us in this exclusive interview with one of the world’s most famous Japanese food companies. Could you please introduce yourself and the company? In June 2022, we opened “Kikkoman Honten” and primarily sell products focused on ingredients and manufacturing methods through e-commerce and mail order. While our main business involves soy sauce, soup bases, and processed soy sauce products, “Kikkoman Honten” operates as a model to deliver products directly to customers. Given Kikkoman's nearly 300-year history, how does that legacy influence your current operations? While Kikkoman soy sauce is now used in over 100 countries worldwide, in Japan — its birthplace — we embody the spirit of “learning from the past to understand the present.” We preserve the best of tradition while evolving our approach to soy sauce, conveying its enduring value. What is the origin story of Kikkoman’s Goyougura series soy sauce? Kikkoman was granted the status of Imperial Household supplier (currently the Imperial Household Agency) in 1908. In 1939, the Imperial Household Soy Sauce Brewery (commonly known as Goyougura) was constructed. Later, due to deterioration, it was relocated to the side of the Noda Factory during renovation work. However, the original wooden fermentation vats, roof trusses, roof tiles, stonewalls, and gate were reused, recreating the structure close to its original form. Here at Goyougura, we continue to brew soy sauce for the Imperial Household Agency using traditional methods, just as we have for generations. What would you say sets the Goyougura series apart from Kikkoman’s standard soy sauces, both in process and flavor? The soy sauce crafted at Goyougura was born under the spirit of “crafting the finest soy sauce using the best ingredients.” Only domestic soybeans, wheat, and salt are used. Because the ingredients directly determine the final quality of the soy sauce, we evaluate numerous production areas and varieties, selecting only the raw materials best suited for soy sauce production. Even in the ingredient processing stage, we steam the soybeans until they are soft enough to eat as is, meticulously and carefully drawing out the ingredients' umami while brewing the soy sauce. Using carefully selected domestic soybeans and wheat, we brew it richly to slowly draw out its umami and sweetness. And we still use the traditional method of aging it in cedar barrels. “Kikkoman Honten Goyougura” is characterized by its robust aroma and firm saltiness (enmi), making it a soy sauce that pairs well with bold ingredients like tuna and red meat. On the other hand, “Kikkoman Honten Goyougura Nama” features the gentle aroma of raw soy sauce, the freshness of freshly pressed soy sauce, and a deep umami that further enhances the flavor of the ingredients. Soy sauce is a global pantry staple; what do you hope international customers understand or appreciate about your more premium offerings? The “Kikkoman Honten Goyougura Series” is fermented and aged through the gentle seasonal temperature changes of four distinct seasons, making it the ideal method for soy sauce brewing. This traditional method, combined with our refusal to standardize the final product (a common practice in soy sauce production to adjust variations in ingredients or fermentation), means we deliver the sauce exactly as it naturally finishes. Minor variations are part of its character. Enjoying each unique encounter is part of the charm of this product. Do you personally have a favorite way to enjoy Goyougura soy sauce in a dish? Kikkoman Honten Goyougura: Tuna sashimi (red meat), beef steak (with soy sauce and wasabi). Kikkoman Honten Goyokura Nama: As a sukiyaki broth base, salmon and yellowtail sashimi. Goyougura received the 2024 OMOTENASHI SELECTION Grand Gold Award. What does that recognition mean to you and your team? We are honored that our efforts to preserve tradition while innovating new expressions have been recognized. This external endorsement also makes it easier to recommend to our customers. Before we conclude, do you have any final thoughts you'd like to share with the readers of Arigato Travel? We look forward to the day you use our soy sauces at your table for special occasions. Please also consider it for seasonal gifts or as a thoughtful souvenir; it truly means a lot to us. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story and the remarkable craftsmanship behind Kikkoman’s Goyougura soy sauce. Your dedication to tradition, quality, and hospitality truly shines through each bottle. We hope more people around the world will come to appreciate not only the deep, layered flavors but also the centuries of culture and care that go into every drop. Learn more about Kikkoman on: Website: https://www.kikkoman.co.jp/honten/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kikkoman_honten/ OMOTENASHI SELECTION: https://omotenashinippon.jp/selection/en/prize/2400-01-002/ Featured Photo Credit: Kikkoman Looking to try more Japanese food while you're visiting us here? Make sure to book a spot on one of our tours in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, or Hiroshima to try tons of delicious dishes and learn more about Japanese cuisine!
How to Celebrate Tsukimi: Japan’s Moon Viewing Tradition | Arigato Travel
If you’ve ever visited Japan in the autumn, you may have noticed people pausing to admire the full moon, often with a tray of round rice dumplings nearby. This is Tsukimi (月見), Japan’s traditional moon-viewing festival, a beautiful celebration of the harvest moon and the changing seasons. But what exactly is this celebration? Today, we'll take a deep dive into Tsukimi and explore everything this amazing part of Japanese culture is all about! What is Tsukimi? Tsukimi literally means “moon viewing,” and it is celebrated in mid-September to early October, when the autumn full moon is at its brightest. The festival has roots in Heian-period Japan and was influenced by the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Traditionally, Tsukimi is a time to give thanks for a good harvest, pray for prosperity, and enjoy the beauty of the night sky with friends and family. The practice of admiring the moon began among aristocrats of the Heian court (794–1185), who would compose poetry and play music under the full moon. Over time, the tradition spread among farmers and common people, becoming a way to honor the rice harvest and the natural cycles of the season. This blend of refined courtly ritual and agricultural gratitude is what shaped Tsukimi into the holiday it is today. One of the most famous legends tied to Tsukimi is the story of the rabbit on the moon. According to Japanese folklore, a selfless rabbit offered its own body as food to a hungry traveler, who revealed himself to be a deity. Moved by its sacrifice, the deity sent the rabbit to the moon, where it can still be seen pounding mochi (rice cakes). Traditional Foods: Tsukimi Dango and Seasonal Treats A Tsukimi celebration is never complete without tsukimi dango, small, round rice dumplings that symbolize the full moon. These are often stacked in a pyramid shape and placed on an altar or offering table alongside pampas grass (susuki), which represents resilience and a bountiful harvest. Other popular seasonal foods include: Tsukimi soba or udon: Noodles topped with a raw egg, symbolizing the moon. Seasonal chestnuts and sweet potatoes: Celebrating autumn flavors. Moon-themed desserts: Cakes or sweets shaped like moons, available in many Japanese patisseries during this season. Even fast food chains join in the fun. For example, McDonald’s Japan releases a special “Tsukimi Burger” each year, featuring a fried egg to represent the moon. Other chains like Mos Burger, KFC, Lotteria, and Sukiya often throw their hat in the mix as well, among many others! Convenience stores and bakeries also roll out moon-themed sweets and limited-edition seasonal snacks, showing how the holiday continues to evolve in modern times while keeping its symbolic ties to the harvest moon. Where to Experience Moon Viewing Whether you’re in Kyoto, Tokyo, or elsewhere in Japan, there are plenty of spots to enjoy the festival. Temples and Shrines: Many Kyoto temples, like Daikaku-ji, hold special Tsukimi events with evening lanterns and moon-viewing decks. Gardens: Traditional Japanese gardens, such as Koishikawa Korakuen in Tokyo, offer serene settings for admiring the moon reflected in ponds. Rooftops and Cafes: Urban moon-viewing has become popular, too. Look for rooftop gardens or cafes offering Tsukimi-themed drinks and desserts with a view of the night sky. Tips for Celebrating Tsukimi Check the lunar calendar to catch the full moon night, known as Jūgoya. Bring a blanket and snacks if you’re enjoying outdoor viewing. Try making your own tsukimi dango. It is a fun and rewarding way to connect with the tradition. Dress warmly. Autumn evenings can be chilly, especially in Kyoto. Tsukimi is a quiet, reflective festival that celebrates nature, family, and the simple joy of gazing at a moonlit sky. The combination of ancient folklore, seasonal food traditions, and even playful modern spins like the Tsukimi Burger makes this holiday both timeless and accessible. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful celebrations come from simply looking up at the night sky together. Whether you join a traditional event or enjoy a modern urban twist, it is a magical way to experience Japan in autumn. So grab your Tsukimi Dango, pick that perfect spot, and take part in this magical tradition that truly encapsulates Japanese culture. Trust us, you won't regret it! Featured Photo Credit: manbo-photo Not sure where to start when planning your own Tsukimi adventure? Let our team of travel experts help you craft a perfect itinerary tailored just to you!
Dining experience on the Tango Kuromatsu (restaurant train) crossing the Yura River railway bridge - Japan Travel Guide MATCHA
The menu, which incorporates the legends and scenery of Seaside Kyoto, is produced by a chef from a local restaurant. It's a dining experience on the move, filled with seasonal scenery and a sense of the seasons. Please see the website for details, including opening hours.