Shameless plug for one of the best little matsuri in Kyoto that I help out with.
https://www.otagiji.com/autumn-festival-about
Otagi Nenbutsuji, known for it’s 1200 mossy statues of lively little Buddhist figures, is located in the Sagano district north of Arashiyama. Every autumn, they hold a Momiji Matsuri where chants are sung in a beautiful 14th century wooden hall that was transported from the old temple grounds near Gion.
The highlight is when ~~yamabushi priests dressed as tengu~~ real live tengu come down from Mt. Atago. They shoot arrows into the sky and bless the visitors individually. This is also an exceedingly rare chance to take a picture with these notoriously camera-shy mythological figures.
The crowd this event draws has only grown from tiny to small in the past years, and it still feels like a very intimate and local event. You are invited to join us on this coming Sunday the 12th at 13:00.
Parking is limited, you will need to arrive quite early. It’s better to take a bus from central Arashiyama. You can catch one from Arashiyama Tenryuji Mae bus stop (across the street from Randen Arashiyama Station) but it runs only once an hour. Bus #94 departs at 12:18 and arrives at 12:31. Besides that, a taxi from JR Saga-Arashiyama is suggested, but arrive early as taxis on weekends in Arashiyama in this season can be hard to come by. It’s about a 1200 yen ride from the station.
*Note that this is OTAGI Nenbutusji, not ADASHI Nenbutsuji*
If you’ve always wanted to go up to Otagi and see the statues, this is THE time of year to do it. Hope to see you there. It’s a wonderful experience.
by mindkiller317