Aug. 6-12 Kyo no Tanabata Festival

Kyoto’s popular annual summer event; A wishing festival in tribute to July 7th on the lunar calendar, it will take place at two main venues along the Horikawa River and the Kamo River; Various events will create a fantastic atmosphere during the celebration. Admission free; Lit-up time: 19:00-21:30; Kamogawa Venue: Keihan Line, get off at Gion Shijo Stn., Horikawa Venue: Subway Tozai Line, get off at Nijojo-mae Stn.;

 www.kyoto-tanabata.jp

Aug. 7-10 Gojo-zaka Pottery Festival

This Pottery festival was started in the early Taisho period (1912-1926) and is now one of the biggest pottery festivals in Japan, with about 400,000 visitors each year; About 400 stalls selling pottery will line both sides of Gojo Street between Higashioji and Gojo bridge. Admission free; 9:00-22:00; Access: Kyoto City Bus #100, #206, #207, get off at Gojo-zaka or Keihan Railway, Kiyomizu Gojo Stn.;

www.toukimaturi.gr.jp

Aug. 9-16 Kiyomizu Temple Yoi Mairi Night-time Opening On these nights, the temple holds a special night-time opening where the public can access its main statue; Special ceremony will be held from 14th-16th, at 11:00 & 20:00. Entry: 400 yen; 19:00-21:00; Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, get off at Kiyomizu-michi; Tel: 075-551-1234;

 kiyomizudera.or.jp

Aug. 16 Daimonji Gozan Okuri-bi Ritual Fires

One of the four major traditional seasonal events in Kyoto as a part of Obon, an ancient rite to honor the souls of one’s ancestors; Fires are set on five mountains in the city, each depicting a giant Buddhist symbol;

www.gozan-okuribi.com