The Matsuno-no-Torch Lighting Festival is a rural event that highlights some of the traditions of rural Japan and is held in three remote villages in Kyoto in August. 
Held on August 15th every year, starting at around 20:00, Hanase's Matsuhi is used as a way of sending off the dead who return to our world during the Bon Festival, as well as a ritual that is said to drive away fire. The festival is also a prayer for a good harvest. Twenty-meter-high torches are lit beside streams in a field of a thousand torches, and locals wave their lit small torches in the dark of night, which is a sight to behold! 
Hirogawara's Matsuhi is held on August 24th every year, starting at around 20:30. To host the festival, a tall pillar about 20 meters high is built from Japanese cedar wood, with a large torch on top. As night falls, bonfires are lit and small torches are placed in the surrounding fields to create a magical effect. Locals take small bundles of wood tied to ropes, light them in the bonfire, and throw them at the torch on top of the pole, trying to light it to the sound of energetic drums and cheers of the assembly. 

Kyoto

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Matsu-age Torch Lighting festival | Kyoto

Matsu-age Torch Lighting festival

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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

Kifune Shrine

Historic buildings

Night view

魔女锦鲤

Going up the mountain along the flat road, the vermilion torii in front of you is the Kifune Shrine. There are many red lanterns on both sides of the long stairs, which is also the most photographed place in Kifune Shrine - the lantern-offering shrine. On the side of the bottom of the stairs, many photographers have already occupied favorable shooting positions, waiting for the lights to be turned on at night.

Kifune Shrine is an ancient shrine at the western foot of Kurama Mountain and the head shrine of Kifune Shrine. This is also the source of water for Kyoto. Kifune Shrine enshrines the most revered water god of Kyoto people. It has a history of more than 1,600 years, which is longer than the history of Kyoto itself.

The steps paved with bluestone slabs extend from the torii to the main shrine of the shrine. Vermilion lanterns stand on both sides of the shrine. Looking from the bottom up, they are densely packed all the way, which is very spectacular.

Heian-jingū Shrine

蓝星旅行者

The shrines are all local Shinto shrines in Japan. They are different from temples and actually have more local characteristics.

[Scenery] The scenery is very good. The architecture is said to be Tang style, but the pond and 🌲 trees are more beautiful.

[Value for money] 600 yen is not expensive.

It is unexpected that weddings can be held here.

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto

Near Kyoto Station|Gion/Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto

HOSHINOYA Kyoto

Near Arashiyama|Arashiyama/Sagano/Takao, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Near Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station|Kawaramachi/Karasuma/Omiya, Kyoto

Cultural Hotels

Kyoto Botanical Gardens

kurochibi

I went there last year to see the autumn leaves and it was so beautiful.
I&#39;m planning to go again at the end of this year.
It will be lit up from the 10th of next month until the end of the year.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Night Attractions

植仁

Now is the season for viewing plum blossoms, playing in the water in the summer, enjoying the cool air in the autumn maple leaves, and praying for the New Year, which are also full of Japanese style. As an important birthplace of Japanese Shinto culture, it is worth a visit. It is also an interesting place as a holy place for students to pray for passing the college entrance examination and entering their favorite university.

Time:	Aug 15–Aug 24, 2025 (UTC+9)
Location:	Hirogawara Matsu-age

Matsu-age Torch Lighting festival | Kyoto

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Kifune Shrine

Heian-jingū Shrine

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Kyoto Botanical Gardens

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Matsu-age Torch Lighting festival | Kyoto

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Matsu-age Torch Lighting festival

Aman Kyoto

Park Hyatt Kyoto

Kifune Shrine

Heian-jingū Shrine

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto

HOSHINOYA Kyoto

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Kyoto Botanical Gardens

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

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