August Kyoto Prefecture HighlightsSummer-time Fire Work Displays
Firework displays have long been a traditional summer event in Japan. And next to the Chinese, the Japanese are considered to be the very best firework designers. Kyoto Prefecture has a number of big firework festivals this month. Some of them are very local and very traditional. And some are huge events that capture the amazing state of today’s Japanese firework technology. If you do plan to go, then try to get to the place before it gets dark, so you can find a good seat to see the show. And don’t forget to come prepared for everything: bring a raincoat, a flashlight, and something to keep mosquitoes away. Get out and enjoy summer nights! Get out and see the wonders of the Kyoto Prefecture countryside!
Kameoka City- Less than 30 minutes from Kyoto Station, this rural city location has a couple of interesting, major events, as part of the city’s annual Peace Festival, Kameoka declared itself a peace city in 1955. Tel: (0771)25-5034. The local House of Sake (Tel: 0771-22-0632) and Houman Kura (Tel: 0771-22-0066), both offer visitors an excellent chance to see how sake is made. To get to Kameoka, take the JR Sanin (Sagano) local line to Kameoka (30 minutes).
Kumihama Town- Located along the clean, sandcoverd coast of the Japan Sea, Kumihama Town is a great place to visit in summer. The area’s local Sennichi-e (Thousand-prayer) Kanko Festival will be held along a panoramic section of Kumihama Bay. Lit lanterns will be floated to the sea on a river flowing into the bay and 700-800 fireworks will ignite the sky. And on nearby Kabuto Mountain a huge bonfire of Chinese character (dai) will be lit. Of note in the area, Nyoi Temple, built around 1570, has a spectacular 11-faced Kannon statue. Tel: (0772) 82-0163. Kumihama Town can be reached by a direct train from JR Kyoto Station (several times a day; the trip takes about 170 min.; for JR schedule information call 06-6452-3730).
Uji City (8/10)- Uji hosts one of the largest firework displays in all of Japan on the 10th of August every year, featuring a stunning, non-stop show of 7,000 different kinds of fireworks starting around 19:30 (this event can get real crowded, so go early and find a place to get comfortable along the river). Tel: (0774) 23-3334. In addition to its traditional riverside culture and world-famous Byodo-in Temple (engraved on ¥10 coins), Uji is also home to the unique Genji Monogatari Museum. Written by Murasaki Shikibu almost 1000 years ago, this dashing story about Prince Genji, partially set in Uji, is still read by countless people today (open 9:00- 17:00; closed Mondays; Tel: 0774-28-0200). To get to Uji, take the JR Nara line express train to Uji (17 minutes) or take Keihan Uji line local to Uji (40 minutes; change at Chushojima for Osaka-bound trains!).
Miyazu City (8/14-16)- On the 16th (from 19:00) in the Toro (lantern) Nagashi Fire Work Festival roughly 10,000 colored lanterns with candles in them will float gently out to sea. A fireworks display will be at the same time. For more information, call (0772) 22-5131. And local Chion-ji Temple is known for its Monju Bosatsu Buddhist statue (a symbol of wisdom), which attracts students from all over the country hoping to get into the school of their choice. Or visit Mikami House, a traditional highclass home, made of bright white plaster walls and fine lattice covered windows. Miyazu City can be reached by a direct train from JR Kyoto Station (several times a day; the trip takes about 95 min.; for JR schedule information call 075-352-5441).Yagi Town- Situated in the central Tamba area, Yagi is close to Kyoto (less than an hour) and yet very rural and green. The Yagi Town Fireworks Festival, now in its 54th year, takes place, along the wide, cool Ooi River. It features colored lanterns and excellent fireworks around 20:00. Call (0771) 42-5380 for more information. The local Beetle Dome, which has almost every kind of beetle native to Japan (open until 8/16; 9:00-16:00; Tel: (0771) 42-4179) is also worth visiting. To get to Yagi, take the JR Sanin (Sagano) local line toYagi (40 minutes).
Fukuchiyama City- Surrounded by mountains and dramatically overlooking the Yura River, Fukuchiyama Castle will form the backdrop for the largest firework festival in the northern Kinki region. If you go, be sure to spend the hot part of the day relaxing in the city’s huge (27 hectare; 67 acre) Sandan Pond Park, with its 3-kilometer-wide pond ringed with all kinds of unusual flowers, and Children’s Science Center featuring a small planetarium, zoo and sports center (open 9:00-17:00; closed Wednesdays; Tel: 0773-23-6617). To get to Fukuchiyama, take the JR Sanin-line express train to Fukuchiyama (80 minutes).
August Event Highlights
Red Brick Warehouse Summer Jazz in Maizuru : at this atmosphere-rich event, by the sea in a classic, turn-of-the-century red-brick setting, the jazz is sure to sound good (musicians from abroad will also be appearing). Tel: (0773) 63-7710. Saeki Doro Doll Joruri (lantern-lit Japanese puppet play): originally a farmer’s festival, this event has become a popul are event; look for people wearing cotton summer kimono and all kinds of stalls selling stuff. Tel: (0771)22-3131. Fukuchiyama Traditional Festival: Men and women of all ages will dance this traditional summer dance from 20:00 until 22:30. Tel: (0773) 24-7026.