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【Kyoto】Make a wish upon a Tanzaku ♪ A Tanabata Tea Ceremony and Special Nighttime Viewing at Kodai-ji Temple

Kodai-ji Temple, located in Kyoto, is known as “Hideyoshi and Nene’s Temple”. On July 6th and 7th, a Tanabata Tea Ceremony is held. The grounds are decorated with Tanabata decorations that sway in the wind.  Tanabata, sometimes called “star festival “, is a Japanese holiday that celebrates a legend about star-crossed lovers. You make a wish on a Tanzaku (短冊), a special paper for wishes. From 5PM, there is a special nighttime viewing where you can enjoy a magical light up display.

高台寺七夕茶会&夜間特別拝観(Tanabata Tea Ceremony and Special Nighttime Viewing at Kodai-ji Temple)
Photo by @gen_kana8787

Kodai-ji Temple was built by the wife, Nene, of military leader, Hideyoshi Toyotomi to mourn him. There is a large garden, and there are many important cultural properties related to Nene and Hideyoshi on the grounds.

The special nighttime viewing occurs every season, but you can only see the bamboo decorations floating in the night during Tanabata season.  Feel the love of the legendary star-crossed lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, and make a wish upon a Tanzaku. 

DatesJuly 6th (Saturday) – July 7th, 2024 (Sunday)
Hours9:00AM – 5:30PM (Last entry 5:00PM)
※Special nighttime viewing 5:00PM – 10:00PM (Last entry 9:30PM)
AdmissionAdult 600 JPY / Junior high & High school student 250 JPY / Groups (30+ people) 500 JPY
※Includes Kodaiji Sho Museum
※Ticket including entry to Entoku-in Temple is 900 JPY
Address526 Shimokawara-cho, Kodaiji, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto Prefecture
Access5-min. walk from Higashiyama Yasui bus stop
Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: 25-min. walk via Yasaka Street
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: 5-min. walk from Higashiyama Yasui bus stop which is a 5-min. bus ride from Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop on the Kyoto Shiei 207 bus
URLhttps://www.kodaiji.com/e_index.html

Base of this trip

  • Hotel Tavinos Kyoto
    Hotel Tavinos Kyoto

    3-min walk from Shimizu-Gojo station on the Keihan line/7-min walk from Gojo Station on the Karasuma line/10-min walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto line

  • Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
    Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

    5-min walk from Kyotoshiyakushomae station on the Tozai line