Apr. 20, 2023 UPDATE

Kyokusui no Utage

- 曲水の宴 -
Traveler Friendly
At the event site they only speak Japanese. Regardless, because the event is famous many tourists visit this event every year.
Information
Japanese and English
Languages spoken
Only Japanese
PeriodEvery year on April 29 and November 3.
VenueInside the Heian Garden of Jonangu Shrine’s Shin’en Garden
1837 14 --- 0 reviews
Apr. 20, 2023 UPDATE

Kyokusui no Utage

- 曲水の宴 -
Traveler Friendly
At the event site they only speak Japanese. Regardless, because the event is famous many tourists visit this event every year.
Information
Japanese and English
Languages spoken
Only Japanese
1837 14 --- 0 reviews
PeriodEvery year on April 29 and November 3.
VenueInside the Heian Garden of Jonangu Shrine’s Shin’en Garden
Story & Recommendation
Poets write tanka poems in a beautiful garden in an elegant event
There is a shrine called Jonangu in Fushimi, an area famous for sake breweries. The famous Kyokusui no Utage (Meandering Water Banquet) event is held at the shrine twice a year, in April and November. At the Kyokusui no Utage event, poets dressed in Heian court attire sit by the meandering river and write poems about the topic they have been given that day. After they have written the poem, they pick a cup of sake floating down the river and drink it. This event has its roots in Nara (710-794) and Heian period (794-1185) court event, and the view of the poets writing their poems is almost like looking at a Heian period picture scroll. On the day of the event there is also a dance performance and no entrance fee to the Shin’en Garden. It is a really popular event so it might be a bit crowded, but at the event you can see graceful, Kyoto-like view, so if you have time when you are in Kyoto I hope you will go see the event!
  • Sharing Kyoto Staff
    Erika's Comment
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Details
Event time
From 2 p.m. until about 3 p.m.
Cancellations
Rain or shine, but in the case of rain only the dance and reading of the poems are held.
Price range
Credit cards
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