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Saiin Kasuga Shrine Wakachū Bon Odori 2026

Aug28–292026
Events

Saiin's neighborhood Bon Odori — two nights, hundreds of lanterns, yukata perks, and a yoyo-fishing corner for the kids.

In a nutshell

What is it?
Two-night neighborhood Bon Odori at Saiin Kasuga Shrine — eve on Aug 28, full festival Aug 29.
Why go?
The rare Bon Odori with a packed program before the dancing — kids' choir, brass bands, taiko, sword act — and an open circle for everyone from 18:30.
Perfect for
Families, locals who want a community Bon Odori without the central-Kyoto crowds, anyone who still owns a yukata.
Time needed
Aug 28 17:00–21:00 (eve) · Aug 29 13:00–21:00 (main day) · Bon Odori circle from 18:30

Kyoto’s central Bon Odori get the press. Saiin’s is the one locals actually walk to. For two nights at the end of August, Saiin Kasuga Shrine fills with lanterns, festival food, and a Bon Odori circle open to anyone — whether you’ve danced before or not.

When to go

Friday, August 28 — 前夜祭 (Eve)
17:00–21:00. Food stalls and drinks only — no stage program. A calmer warm-up night if you want to scope the grounds.

Saturday, August 29 — Main festival
13:00–21:00. Stage program runs from 13:00, and the open Bon Odori circle starts at 18:30 with the Nara Yūgyōkai teaching the steps on the spot.

The program (Aug 29)

Stage performances run from early afternoon, then everyone joins the circle for the Bon Odori at 18:30.

  1. 13:00 — Saiin Junior High School brass band
  2. 13:30 — Saiin Elementary School children’s choir
  3. 13:50 — Traffic safety class with Ukyo Police, Saiin #1
  4. 14:15 — CPR and lifesaving drill with Ukyo Fire Department, Saiin #1 + #2
  5. 14:45 — Performance Time: Kasuga Kindergarten hip-hop dance, Wakachū-kai shamo experience and kids’ portable shrine, Kyoto Daidō Awa Odori Club, live band Colley’s, Makoto Asai chanbara and singing show, and Saiin Taiko with the festival maidens’ drum finale
  6. 18:30 — Bon Odori circle dance with Nara Yūgyōkai — open to everyone

Yukata perks

Wearing a yukata pays off. The organizers give out these perks to anyone in one (limited quantities — first come, first served):

  • One free drink (ドリンク一杯サービス券)
  • One free yoyo-fishing coupon (ヨーヨー釣り引換券)
  • The organizers wear T-shirts with the Wakachū mon — easy to spot if you need help

Getting there

Saiin Kasuga Shrine sits a 3-minute walk from either Saiin station:

  • Hankyu Kyoto Line — Saiin Station, 3 min walk
  • Randen (Keifuku) — Saiin Station, 3 min walk
  • City bus — 西大路四条 stop, 3 min walk

Limited temporary bike parking is set up south of the shrine grounds. Bring cash — the food and drink stalls don’t all take cards.

Good to know

  • Free entry. Drinks, food stalls, and the yoyo-fishing corner are pay-as-you-go.
  • Runs in rain (雨天決行) — cancelled only if a weather warning is issued.
  • Friday Aug 28 is the eve — food stalls and drinks only, no stage program.
  • Follow @saiin_kasuga_wakatyuukai on Instagram for last-minute updates.

Why I keep going back

The Saiin neighborhood Bon Odori is one of those things locals keep to themselves. It’s not a spectacle — it’s the kind of night where you eat yakisoba, watch your friend’s kid dance in the lineup, and end up in the circle yourself. Show up by 18:30 on the 29th.

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