🏮 Agata Matsuri
県祭り
Uji, Kyoto (Agata Shrine) · Every year, 5–6 June
264 days to go
Rooms around Uji, Kyoto fill up while the festival is on.
Agata Matsuri is a festival held at Agata Shrine in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, every year from June 5 to June 6. It is the regular festival of the shrine, located near the south gate of Byodo-in, and is known as "Kurayami Matsuri" (Darkness Festival) because it is carried out in darkness with all lights extinguished. The main highlight is the "Bonten Togyo" procession late at night on June 5. A group of men from the town carry a mikoshi (portable shrine) called "Bonten" and proceed without any light. While the mikoshi passes, households along the route also extinguish their lights to welcome it, which is why it is called the "dark mystery festival." On the same day, street stalls are set up until around 10:00 PM. It was formerly held on the 15th day of the fifth lunar month and was also called "Tanemori Matsuri" (Seed-bearing Festival) due to sexual rituals. Also, due to its relationship with Uji Shrine, split observances had continued, but it has been agreed by those involved that from 2026 onward it will be unified under Agata Shrine.
Getting there
Agata Shrine is about 100 m from the south gate of Byodo-in in Uji.
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Where to stay
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