The Mid-Autumn Festival at Shimogamo Shrine: Moon Viewing and Bonfire Celebration

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Japan was introduced from the Tang Dynasty and is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Today, many shrines hold moon viewing events. Shimogamo Shrine is one of the most bustling places for such events. If you arrive around 6 PM, you can only watch from a distance due to the large crowd. The bonfire is beautiful for photos, and as you walk in, you can hear flute performances. The tea ceremony costs 1,000 yen, and there are other activities with long queues as well. The overall atmosphere is peaceful and joyful, especially in the serene forest setting of the shrine. If you have the chance, visiting during the day is also nice, as it is near Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, which you can visit together! The seasonal and star-themed amulets, priced at 1,500 yen, are so beautiful that people are willing to queue up despite the high price, showing their charm! The moon is very round. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 🎑🌠