murmurKitano Matsuri Shinkosai and Kankosai (Zuiki Matsuri)
Kyoto City · Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, its Otabisho (temporary shrine) and the surrounding parish
Dates and details can change. Always check the official website before you go.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine · Last checked: Oct 10, 2026
Dates
Dates confirmed with official sources
- 2026
- Oct 1–5, 2026 （Ended） Oct 1: procession from the shrine to the Otabisho; Oct 4: return procession (leaves the Otabisho at 13:00, arrives at the shrine around 17:00)
- 2027
- Dates have not been announced yet. Please check the official website.
- Usual timing
- Usually early October
- How the date is set
- Every year, October 1 – October 5
- Venue
- Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, its Otabisho (temporary shrine) and the surrounding parish
- City
- Kyoto City, Kyoto
About
This is the great autumn festival of Kitano Tenmangu, carrying on the processions of the Kitano Matsuri, once held under imperial patronage in the Heian period. On October 1, three ornate palanquins, including ones donated by Emperors Murakami and Ichijo, travel through the shrine's parish to the Otabisho, a temporary shrine. During the festival the Otabisho hosts shrine-maiden dances, a tea offering, food offerings, taiko drumming and tea ceremonies. On October 4 the procession returns to the main shrine, joined by the zuiki mikoshi portable shrine. Kitano Tenmangu is working to revive the full Kitano Matsuri for its major anniversary in 2027.
Sources
- OfficialKitano Tenmangu Shrine kitanotenmangu.or.jp
- OfficialKitano Tenmangu Shrine kitanotenmangu.or.jp
- OfficialKyoto City Tourism Association (Kyoto Travel Navi) ja.kyoto.travel
Last checked: Oct 10, 2026. Event information is based on official announcements, but changes may not always be reflected here. Please check each official website for accurate details.
Other events this month
On the day, see what locals are murmuring on the murmur map
murmur is an app that shows short, anonymous posts on a map, right where they were written. On festival day, open the map around the venue and see what people nearby are saying.