Recommended Autumn Traditional Matsuri Festivals, Maple Viewing and CultureNagaokakyo Gracia Festival
The Nagaokakyo Gracia Festival has been held annually since 1992. The central theme of the festival is the Christian faith of Madam Hosokawa Gracia. The festival was created to mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the municipality of Nagaokakyo and the completion of Shoryuji Castle Park. Nagaokakyo City is easy to access from Kyoto, and has many sightseeing attractions.
Hosokawa Gracia (born circa 1563) was Japan's first saint and lived during a nationwide boom in Christianity. Born Akechi Tama, she was a daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide, a famous daimyo. During her life she was exiled for her faith, and then, finally, chose to die in the flames of her castle (destroyed by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi).
A big part of this festival is the re-enactment of Madam Hosokawa Garcia’s wedding parade and the procession of towns people who celebrate the wedding. The bride is carried to the groom in a gorgeous kago or palanquin (see photo). About 900 people will march about 3 km through the city. Festival Highlights: opening show at 14:00; transferal of Gracia role at 17:00; historical opera at 18:00. The wedding parade departs Shoryuji Castle for Shoryuji Castle Park at 11:30; re-enactment of the wedding ceremony in the park from 12:00. A tea ceremony at Shimin Hiroba; bonsai and orchid exhibition; Shoryuji treasure display and market; 10:00-16:00.
Komyo-ji Temple Maple Viewing
This temple is the first Jodo sect temple that Honen (1133-1212) founded. It was built by Kumagai Naozane (1141-1208), a famous samurai warrior in the Heike Genji war. Struck by Honen’s preaching, he lived the end of his life chanting at this temple. During the Honen’s funeral, luminous rays hit the mountain behind the temple. “Komyo” in Japanese refer to these luminous rays. Therefore, this temple was named Komyo-ji after his death. Past the gate, a stone paved path, lined on either side with the crimson of maples in autumn, leads to the temple. Check the Kyoto Tourism Federation homepage (www.kyoto-kankou.or.jp/) for maple tree viewing information. Access: Take JR from Kyoto to Nagaokakyo, and take Hankyu bus to Komyo-ji. The temple is open from 9:00-16:00. Free entrance. Tel: 955-0002.
Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Sanso Museum
This classical Taisho-period (1912-26) English-style mountain villa, now a museum, is especially worth visiting in autumn. The main wooden building, surrounded in a large garden area, is preserved in its original elegant state, with black wooden arched beams, high ceilings, and a huge fire place. The museum (which contains several collections) has a Monet, Chinese and Japanese ceramics, etc. A modern museum by world-famous architect Ando Tadao is located next door. Open 10:00-17:00, closed on Mondays. Access: shuttle bus from Hankyu Oyamazaki Stn. Tel: 957-3123.