Kyoto Festival

For more than a thousand years, Kyoto was the capital city of Japan. Today it is a major cultural center. The historic city holds numerous festivals, some of which date back hundreds of years. There are a few, in particular, you should know about. Ouka-sai Festival One of the best times to visit Japan is during the cherry blossom season. Hirano Shrine is a top site to go and see the blossoms in Kyoto. It has 400 individual trees (all lit up at night) from about 50 different species. In April, the shrine holds a cherry blossom festival called Ouka-sai, which involves a parade with around 200 people dressed as princesses and warriors. Where: 1 Hirano Miyamotocho, Kita Ward (map link) When: April 10 Toka Ebisu Another festival that takes place at a shrine is Toka Ebisu at Ebisu Shrine. This festival lasts three days and involves some loud celebrations. It is dedicated to Ebisu-san, the god of prosperity, whom people ask for riches. Visitors throw money into a donation box, ring a bell, and say a prayer. Then they head to the main hall, where they repeat the prayer — this time banging their fists on a board. As…