In Japan, Chushu no Meigetsu or "the harvest moon of mid-autumn," has traditionally been believed to be the most beautiful of the year. Many temples and shrines host moon-viewing events and ceremonies to honor the moon around this evening by organizing various performances dedicated to the deities such as gagaku court music, kyogen comedy plays and kagura dances. This year that night falls on September 17. 

1. Kodai-ji Temple Autumn Night Moon Viewing Tea Ceremony 

Venue: Kodai-ji temple
Date: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from September 6th (Fri) to 29th (Sun), 2024. 
Time: Reception between 5:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. (duration of the event: 3 hours)

Light tea ceremony and a guided tour of the illuminated garden (in Japanese). Visitors of the Kodaiji Hashiba Restaurant can also enjoy light refreshments. (Reservations required by 4 P.M. the day before)

Kodai-ji Temple Official Website:
https://www.kodaiji.com/chakai.html (article in Japanese)

Kodaiji Hashiba Restaurant Website (in Japanese only):
https://www.kodaiji-hashiba.co.jp/



2. The Former Saga Imperial Palace Daikakuji Temple Moon Viewing Event 

Venue: The Former Saga Imperial Palace Daikakuji Temple 
Date: September 15 (Sun) ~ September 17 (Tue) 
Time: 5:30 P.M. to 9 P.M. (Last admission at 8:30 P.M.) *Day and night shift system. 

*All tickets for this event have been sold out.

Osawa Pond at Daikakuji Temple is one of Japan's three great moon viewing spots, along with Sarusawa Pond and Ishiyama-dera Temple (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture). It is said that in the past, Emperor Saga (9th Century Japan) has boarded the boat on Osawa Pond to admire the harvest moon together with aristocrats and intellectuals. Participants of this event can relieve that moment in time by viewing the moon and its reflection from the dragon-headed boat floating atop the pond.

*Please check the Daikaku-ji Temple website for details. 

Daikaku-ji Temple's Events Page:
https://www.daikakuji.or.jp/event_season_autumn/



3. Shinsen-en Moon Viewing Event

Venue: Shinsen-en
Date: September 16th (Mon), 2024 (national holiday) 
Time: 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

During the moon viewing event an outdoor tea ceremony will be held from 5:30 P.M. (fee: 700 yen). The moon viewing ceremony will be held in the main hall from 6 P.M. and a religious musical performance will be held from 7 P.M. The garden will also be open to the public.

Shinsen-en Official Website (in Japanese only):
http://www.shinsenen.org/kangetsue.html

4. Shimogamo Shrine Harvest Moon Music Festival

Venue: Shimogamo Shrine 
Date: September 17th (Tue), 2024 
Time: From 5:30 P.M.
Moon-viewing tea ceremony: 1,000 yen.
Admission without tea ceremony: Free

An ancient event revived by the Shimogamo Kogaku-kai (Shimogamo Ancient Music Association) in 1963. After the ritual, performances of bugaku dance, kangen music, aristocratic Heian era dance, koto, shakuhachi and biwa music are offered on the shrine grounds. Tea ceremony will also be organized for interested visitors (participation fee required).

Shimogamo Shrine Official Website:
https://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/english

5. Kamigamo-jinja Shrine 

Venue: Kamigamo-jinja Shrine
Date: September 17th (Tue), 2024 
Time: From 4:30 P.M.

The Kamigamo Moon Viewing Festival is held on the shrine grounds of the Kamigamo-jinja shrine, a World Heritage Site, on the fifteenth night of the full moon. Following the ritual, various performances dedicated to deities, such as kagura dance and taiko drum performances are held. Moon-viewing dango dumplings are served.

Kamigamo-jinja Shrine Official Website:
https://www.kamigamojinja.jp/en/

6. Hirano Shrine Harvest Moon Festival

Venue: Hirano Shrine
Date: September 17th (Tue), 2024  
Time: From 6:30 P.M.

An elegant harvest moon festival held in the mid-autumn. This historic shrine was originally established in Heijo-kyo (currently Nara), but was moved to its current location when the capital was relocated to Heian-kyo (currently Kyoto). The Harvest Moon Festival consists of a Shinto ritual followed by folk songs, dances and gagaku (ancient Japanese court music) performances, as well as the offering of matcha green tea (for a fee).

Performances:
From 7:00 P.M. - Koto performance
From 7:25 P.M. - Shakuhachi performance 
From 7:55 P.M. - Gagaku (traditional Japanese court music) performance 
*From 7:00 P.M. - Matcha green tea ceremony (fee required)

Hirano Shrine Official Website:
https://www.hiranojinja.com/home/english-page




7. Chishaku-in Temple Moon Viewing Party 

Venue: Chishaku-in 
Date: September 17th (Tue), 2024
Time: 5:00 P.M. to 9 P.M.
Advance tickets: 5,500 yen (without lunch box) / 8,000 yen (with moon viewing lunch box and tea)
Same-day tickets: 6,000 yen *Moon-viewing lunchbox is not included with tickets bought on the day of the event.

In the first part of the event, there will be a chanting performance by a Buddhist monk and a meditation experience called Gachirin-kan [Full-Moon Viewing]. In the second part, a kyomai (Kyoto-style dance) will be performed. In addition, Chishaku-in's famous garden will be illuminated to create an ephemeral atmosphere. The Shinden Hall, decorated with fusuma paintings by Insho Domoto will also be open to the public for a special viewing.

Chishaku-in Temple Official Website:
https://chisan.or.jp/en

8. Matsunoo Taisha Shrine Moon Viewing Festival 

Venue: Matsunoo Taisha Shrine
Date: September 17th (Tue), 2024 
Time: From 5:00 P.M.
Admission fee: 1,000 yen.

Every year, on the night of the harvest moon, after the ceremony at 5:15 P.M., there will be events such as Kinko Ryu shakuhachi performance, a haiku competition and free moon-viewing manju and sake from a wooden barrel.
Admission is open from 5:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. 

Matsunoo Taisha Shrine Official Website (article in Japanese):
https://www.matsunoo.or.jp/en/


9. Myoshin-ji Taizo-in Temple Moon Viewing Tea Ceremony 

Venue: Myoshin-ji Taizo-in Temple
Date: September 15th (Sun) and September 16th, 2024 (Mon).
Fee: 16,500 yen (tax included, reservation required), payment method: cash only.

From 5:00 P.M. - Reception opens
From 5:30 P.M. - Matcha tea is served, special viewing of the temple
From 6:30 P.M. - Meal
From 8:00 P.M. - Moon viewing at Yoko-en (about 30 minutes)

Applications can be made from the URL below (Japanese only):
https://www.kyoto-hanagokoro.jp/plan/kangetsu/

Myoshin-ji Taizo-in Temple Official Website:
http://www.taizoin.com/en/