Admission is free.

Participants will meet at the Karasuma-Oike subway station in Kyoto City.

To apply, call (075) 752-3511 or visit the Kyoto City International Foundation website.

This year’s event will be held from December 4th to the 15th.

Monday to Thursday – 6pm to 9:30pm

Fridays – 6pm to 10pm

Saturdays – 5:30pm to 10pm

Sundays – 5:30pm to 9:30pm

The Luminarie display will be held at the former foreign settlement and Higashi Yenchi Park in the Chuo Ward of Kobe. The annual illumination festival is in honor of victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995.

Admission is free, but a donation of 100 yen per person is requested to support the event.

For more information call (078) 391-6371.

Some of the most popular hotels to stay in near Kyoto station are the Rihga Royal Hotel, Hotel Granvia Kyoto and the New Miyako Hotel.

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For those who like to stay right in the middle of the shopping district close to the Keihan Train Line instead of the Hankyu and Kintetsu trains, there are some good Kyoto hotels at slightly lower prices close to the Kamogawa River. One frequently used by foreigners as well as Japanese is the Royal Kyoto Hotel just at the north end the shopping district. It’s only a few minutes walk from Sanjo Keihan train station, the Kamogawa, and located near many great restaurants, Japanese and foreign. The famous Kyoto Maiko area is a stone’s throw away and Heian Shrine, Yasaka Shrine, Kiyomizudera Temple and Ginkakuji are not far on foot. Get a map from any Kyoto hotel help desk or at a visitors center in Kyoto station and you can be well on your way to a day of hiking and sightseeing at some of the most popular places in all of Japan.

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If you want to travel around Kyoto using something other than a city bus, taxi or train, you can rent a bicycle and pedal yourself around Kyoto starting from Kyoto station. From Kyoto station, you can ride in any direction and see shrines, temples and beautiful scenery. Arashiyama is one of the most popular spots in the area during autumn and spring. Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion or Golden Temple, can easily be reached by bicycle from Kyoto station and is one of the most popular temples in all of Japan.

Kyoto is treasure of beauty and Japanese traditional and modern culture! Come visit Kyoto and stay at a Kyoto hotel or ryokkan or guest house and enjoy some of the best sightseeing in Japan!

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A large majority of visitors to Gion dress up in traditional yukata and jimbe, summer kimonos, and walk around enjoying the festivities, eating, drinking and having fun.

Because it is so popular, no matter what time of the day you go, you are bound to run into large crowds of people. So prepare yourself and take liquids with you because the weather during Gion is usually pretty hot and humid.

To fully enjoy the parade, seat reservations are recommended and are available along Oike Street. Reservations are accepted from June 3rd. Reservations are 3,100 yen.

For more information, call Kyoto City Tourist Association at (075) 752-0227 between 9:00am and 5:00pm. You can also visit their website.

The event will offer 120 different draft beers, including 60 different brands that have won awards at international beer competitions.

Tickets are 3600 yen in advance and 4100 yen at the door.

For more information call (0798) 70-0911.