Zuiki Matsuri at Kitano Tenmangu 2026

Dates & time: October 1, 2026 (Thu) - October 5, 2026 (Mon) Varies by rite (Oct 1 from 9:00, Oct 4 from 10:00, Oct 5 from 15:30)
cost: Free to watch the processions and rites. The tea gatherings held during the festival are paid
Venue & access: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and its Otabisho Right by the Kitano Tenmangu-mae stop on city bus route 50. By car the nearest exit is Kyoto-Minami IC on the Meishin Expressway, but roads around the Otabisho and Kitano Junior High School are closed to vehicles during the festival, and the shrine asks visitors to come by public transport.

There are 9 car parks within a 12-minute walk of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and its Otabisho, and 5 public restrooms within 8 minutes. The map shows each with its walking time.

Facility data comes from OpenStreetMap. It does not include opening hours, fees or availability.

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Why You Should Visit

Kitano Tenmangu's autumn grand festival runs for five days and carries on the old imperial Kitano-sai rites. On October 1 the Shinko-sai procession carries the portable shrines through the parish to the Otabisho, where the deity stays for three nights. The highlight is the Zuiki Mikoshi, a portable shrine whose roof and ornaments are built entirely from zuiki taro stems, vegetables and dried foods as a thanksgiving for the harvest; it leaves the Otabisho on October 4 for the return procession. Food stalls line the Otabisho area from October 1 to 3.

Programs

Timetable & Map

NOTE

Zuiki Mikoshi

A portable shrine roofed with zuiki taro stems and decorated with vegetables and dried foods
It leaves the Otabisho on October 4, the day of the return procession, and heads back to the main shrine

Food stalls

Stalls line the streets around the Otabisho from October 1 to 3
The shrine asks visitors not to litter

Traffic

Roads around the Otabisho and Kitano Junior High School are closed to vehicles during the festival
Parking bikes or cars in the surrounding neighbourhood is not allowed

*Times follow the shrine's own announcement and may be updated for 2026.

History Heritage Culture Art Free Cheap Half Day Photo Spots

出典: 北野天満宮公式サイト

Kobe · Gluten-free

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FAQ

Do I need a ticket or reservation to watch?

Watching the processions and rites is free and needs no booking. Only the Ninaijaya tea gatherings charge a fee.

When and where can I see the Zuiki Mikoshi?

It leaves the Otabisho at 12:30 on October 4, the day of the return procession, and heads for the main shrine. Until then it is on display at the Otabisho.

Can I come by car?

Roads around the Otabisho and Kitano Junior High School are closed to vehicles during the festival, and parking in the surrounding streets is not permitted. Come by public transport.