Kyoto Summer Guide: Discover the Mystical "Rokudo Mairi" Festival. Experience This Magical Event in a Beautiful Yukata or Kimono! 👘✨

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When August arrives, Kyoto transforms into a magical place filled with the spirit of "Obon" (Japan's ancestral festival). While the famous "Gozan no Okuribi" bonfires on August 16th catch everyone's eye, there is another deeply sacred tradition held beforehand to welcome the spirits home.

Let’s dive into "Rokudo Mairi"—a unique and historical Kyoto summer tradition held from August 7th to 10th! ✨🎐

✨ What Exactly is "Rokudo Mairi"?

It is a beautiful ritual to welcome home the spirits of ancestors during Obon. Locals in Kyoto kindly call these spirits "Oshorai-san."

The center of this ritual is Rokudochinno-ji Temple, located in Higashiyama. This temple is famous for being a mystical spot, believed since ancient times to be the actual gate between our world and the afterlife! ⛩️👻✨

🔔 Reaching the Underworld?! The Unique Ritual Step-by-Step

Rokudo Mairi features highly distinctive rituals that you won’t see anywhere else in Japan:

• 1. Buying Kouyamaki (Japanese Umbrella Pine): First, purchase a small branch of Kouyamaki inside the temple grounds. It is believed that ancestral spirits ride on these green leaves to return to our world.

• 2. Ringing the "Mukai-gane" (Welcoming Bell): Ring the bell by pulling a thick rope that comes out through a hole in the temple wall. Amazingly, the sound of this bell is said to resound all the way to the afterlife. Ancestral spirits use this sound as a guide to travel back to this world.

• 3. Mizu-Eko (Water Blessing Ritual): Write your ancestors' names on a wooden plaque, and use the Kouyamaki branch to gently splash water onto it as a memorial offering.

• Must-See Highlight! During this period, the legendary well used by Ono no Takamura—a famous historical figure of the Heian period who reportedly used it to travel down to hell every single night—is open to the public. Don't miss it!

👘 Experience Summer Kyoto in Style with a Kimono or Yukata

The Higashiyama area around Rokudochinno-ji Temple is a picturesque location filled with stone-paved alleys and historic machiya townhouses—the absolute epitome of "traditional Kyoto."

Taking a stroll to the temple in a light yukata or summer kimono during the cooler evening hours makes you feel as if you have stepped back in time. It creates a truly magical and nostalgic atmosphere.

If you are thinking of visiting "Rokudo Mairi," make sure to stop by "Kyoto Kimono Rental Curun" first!

We have a huge selection of stylish yukatas and summer kimonos that will keep you cool and comfortable even in the peak of summer. With our master-level dressing techniques, your outfit will stay perfectly neat and fit securely without loosening, even while waiting in line at the temple.

Our professional hairstylists can also transform your look completely with effortless updo styles that perfectly complement a summer yukata.

Why not wrap yourself in a beautiful kimono this year and experience a deeply traditional Kyoto summer ritual?

Our team is looking forward to welcoming you to our shop!

📌 Event OverviewEvent Name: Rokudo Mairi (六道まいり)

Location: Rokudochinno-ji Temple (595 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City)

Dates: Every year from August 7th to August 10th

Tip for Travelers: The temple becomes very crowded from late afternoon onward. Please make sure to stay hydrated and take proper precautions against heatstroke during your visit!