Kyuhoji Jinaimachi Toro Matsuri 2026

Why You Should Visit

An autumn evening festival in Kyuhoji Jinaimachi, a temple town in Yao laid out in the 16th century, where lanterns line the grid of old lanes. The 17th edition runs on Sunday 4 October only; after the lighting at 17:30 the streets of surviving machiya townhouses are traced in candlelight. The lanterns are handmade by local primary and junior high pupils, nursery children, high-school art students and participants in the paper-cup lantern project. Around the light there are brass-band and dance performances, night viewing of Kensho-ji's main hall, the opening of Nenbutsu-ji's and Hotsugan-ji's Amida images, kagura at Koma Shrine and food stalls, so you can drift from temple to shrine from late afternoon into the night. It is walkable from JR Kyuhoji Station and easy to manage with children.

Programs

Timetable & Map

Essentials

location

Kyuhoji Jinaimachi district (around Yao City Machinami Center, Kensho-ji, Nenbutsu-ji, Hotsugan-ji, Koma Shrine, Osuiro, Ai-no-Sato / Yao-no-Mori)

period

October 4, 2026 (Sun)

Time

14:00〜20:30（燈籠点灯 17:30〜20:30）

cost

Free entry (food and goods sold separately)

Links

Official Website

Kobe · Gluten-free

Basque cheesecakeBaked with rice flour, no wheat. Whole 12cm, serves 2-3¥4,700 incl. shipping (Japan only)

access

About 750 m north of Kyuhoji Station (JR Yamatoji Line / Osaka Higashi Line), roughly 9 min on foot; or about 1 km south of Kintetsu Kyuhojiguchi Station (Osaka Line), roughly 12 min. No parking is listed for the venue, so use public transport

There are 1 public restrooms within a 8-minute walk of Kyuhoji Jinaimachi district (around Yao City Machinami Center, Kensho-ji, Nenbutsu-ji, Hotsugan-ji, Koma Shrine, Osuiro, Ai-no-Sato / Yao-no-Mori). The map shows each with its walking time.

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

NOTE

Lantern displays

Works by each year of Kyuhoji Primary School, Kyuhoji Nursery, Kyuhoji Mabune Kodomoen, Kyuhoji Junior High art club, Yao High School third-year art and calligraphy students, sponsor companies and individuals, and paper-cup lantern participants are placed street by street
Lit streets are the grid around the Machinami Center

Paper-cup lanterns

Anyone can make one and have it displayed on the day. Details: Make a lantern

Kyurin senbei, the local speciality

350 yen a bag (limited quantity, with prize tickets); 1,000 yen for the support set of two bags plus a mini paper lantern and sticker
Sold at the Yao City Machinami Center and the Ai-no-Sato / Yao-no-Mori venue

Rain

Goes ahead in light rain. Kensho-ji events move indoors in rain; Nenbutsu-ji, Hotsugan-ji and Koma Shrine events go ahead rain or shine

Pre-event 29–30 Aug and a lantern exhibition 14 Oct – 1 Dec at Ario Yao

*Organised by the Kyuhoji Jinaimachi Town Planning Council and NPO Jinaimachi Kyuhoji, supported by Yao City

*Enquiries: Yao City Machinami Center 072-924-6371

FAQ

What time are the lanterns lit?

They are lit at 17:30 and stay lit until 20:30. The festival itself starts at 14:00, with temple events and stalls during the afternoon.

Is there an admission fee?

No. It is a festival you walk through on the town's streets. Food, drinks and goods such as the local senbei are paid for separately.

What if it rains?

It goes ahead in light rain. Kensho-ji events move indoors, and those at Nenbutsu-ji, Hotsugan-ji and Koma Shrine go ahead rain or shine. Check the Kyuhoji Jinaimachi official site for any cancellation in severe weather.

Can I drive there?

No parking is listed for the venue, and the lantern-lined lanes are narrow residential streets. Walking from JR Kyuhoji or Kintetsu Kyuhojiguchi Station is the reliable option.

Calendar

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