Keju is a traditional Japanese ball sport originating in China, introduced to Japan during the Asuka period (6th-8th centuries AD). During the Heian period, Keju became popular among the nobility, becoming a court game, and later spread to samurai families and ordinary people. Keju emphasizes elegance, balance, and cooperation rather than competition, reflecting the Japanese cultural pursuit of harmony and refinement.
The 2026 event was performed by 17 members of the Iris Protection Association in front of the main shrine at approximately 1:30 PM. Visitors could enjoy the ritual performance, learn about the historical significance of irises, and participate in a unique cultural experience that blends sports, history, and spirit.

Kyoto

Japan

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Kemari Hajime in Kyoto | Kyoto

Kemari Hajime in Kyoto

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Festivals

Aman Kyoto

Near Kinkaku-ji|Ohara/Kibune/Kurama, Kyoto

Luxury Hotels

Park Hyatt Kyoto

Near Kiyomizu-dera Temple|Gion/Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto

Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train

Immediate access

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One-way tickets are sufficient. Take the regular train to Kameoka. If you have good stamina, you can stop at Hozukyo along the way to visit a couple of spots, then take the scenic train back from Kameoka to Saga. The scenic train ride is 25 minutes one way, but the autumn foliage is breathtaking, making it excellent value for money.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Spring Outings

Historic buildings

Night view

hutian

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of the oldest temples in Kyoto, is located on the mountainside of Mount Otowa in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto. Founded in 778 as the temple of Emperor Kanmu during the Heian period, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The main buildings include the Niomon Gate, the main hall, and a three-story pagoda. The Kiyomizu Stage in front of the main hall is particularly famous; supported by 139 thick wooden beams, it is suspended on a mountainside slope and is a National Treasure of Japan. The temple also houses an eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon statue, and the Otowa Waterfall&#39;s clear water is divided into three streams, representing longevity, health, and wisdom, attracting many visitors to pray for blessings.

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto

Near Kyoto Station|Gion/Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto

HOSHINOYA Kyoto

Near Arashiyama|Arashiyama/Sagano/Takao, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Near Gion|Kawaramachi/Karasuma/Omiya, Kyoto

Cultural Hotels

Fushimi Inari Taisha

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Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for its Thousand Torii Gates and Foxes.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is a famous shrine in Kyoto, Japan. Founded in the 8th century, Inari is the deity of agriculture and commerce, and pilgrims come to pray for good harvests, prosperous business, and safe travel. It is one of the most popular shrines in Kyoto.

The shrine boasts a variety of stone fox statues, as foxes are considered messengers of the deity Inari. Ema with fox-like faces is a special feature.

The most famous feature is the dense cluster of vermilion Thousand Torii Gates behind the main shrine building, a symbol of Kyoto and even featured in the film &quot;Memoirs of a Geisha.&quot; Hundreds of these vermilion torii gates form a path leading to the summit of Mt. Inari, interspersed with dozens of stone fox statues.

Arashiyama

Mountain climbing

KuMa_Y

Lying serenely on the banks of the Hozu River in the western suburbs of Kyoto, Arashiyama takes its name from &quot;mountain mist,&quot; and indeed, a thin mist often lingers in the mornings, like a veil covering the face, adding a touch of mysterious beauty.

In spring, Arashiyama&#39;s waters shimmer beneath the Togetsukyo Bridge, where cherry blossoms shimmer in the water. A blanket of pink and white cherry blossoms hangs down, weighing down branches. Occasionally, petals drift onto the river, drifting eastward with the current, like a scene from a ukiyo-e painting come alive. Visitors row boats upstream or stroll along the shore, mesmerized by this fleeting beauty. The Sagano train whirrs through the mountains, its windows framing a moving painting.

In late autumn, a different atmosphere unfolds. The mountains transform from green to red, layer upon layer, a vibrant display. The stone steps of Jojakko-ji Temple, blanketed in crimson leaves, rustle as they step, like the earth&#39;s own sigh. The bamboo forest path is deep and secluded, the rustling of bamboo tips like crackling jade, and sunlight filtering through the gaps creates a dappled, shimmering scene. The tranquility of this place contrasts perfectly with the bustle of tourists not far away. Movement and stillness, noise and silence, coexist in remarkable harmony.

There are temples in the mountains, and within these temples are monks. In the dry landscape garden of Tenryu-ji Temple, one or two monks can often be seen sweeping fallen leaves with brooms, their movements slow and Zen-like. They sweep more than just leaves; they clearly sweep the grime of our hearts. Occasionally, the long, deep ring of a bell echoes from the Great Compassion Pavilion, startling a few jackdaws, which suddenly fly off into the distance.

Drifting down the Hozu River, the water is clear and shallow, and fish swim and flutter. The boatman, holding a bamboo pole, tells legends of mountain spirits and water monsters in a raspy yet intimate Kansai dialect. A teahouse stands on the shore, where an elderly woman kneels to serve tea. The bitter aroma of matcha blends with the sweetness of wagashi, evoking a sense of tranquility.

The beauty of Arashiyama lies not in its dramatic heights but in its tranquility; not in its bustle but in its serene stillness. The scenery changes with each season, but the beauty of its tranquility remains constant, inviting one to forget the worries of the world and simply wish to become a wisp of mist in the mountains, a leaf in the forest, living with nature.

Gion

Best Things to Do

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Gion is one of Kyoto&rsquo;s most enchanting districts, where old Japan comes alive through preserved wooden machiya houses, quiet tea rooms, and the occasional sight of a geisha hurrying down lantern-lit streets. It&rsquo;s beautiful both day and night, offering a perfect blend of culture, tradition, and timeless charm.

Time:	Jan 4, 2026 (UTC+9)
Location:	Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya-jinja Shrine), Kyoto

Kemari Hajime in Kyoto | Kyoto

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Kemari Hajime in Kyoto | Kyoto

Details

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