Kashiku Matsuri Festival
Mar 18
Houseiji Temple, Osaka
 This temple houses the grave of Kakushi, a renowned “lady of the night” in the 18th century. It is famous because many people visit in a promise to give up drinking. Legend has it that Kakushi, an alcoholic, was executed after she murdered her brother when he tried to stop her drinking. Although usually very quiet and passive, she was terribly drunk when he came to see her. She swore that she would transform into a goddess of abstinence just before having her head cut off. It is also said that she slicked back her hair with a piece of deep-fried tofu on the way to the execution in a move that touched people’s hearts. The temple will hold a memorial service for Kakushi and rakugo (comic storytelling) and dancing will be offered.
Time: 12 noon – 3pm • Getting there: JR Tozai line, Kitashinchi stn, 6 – min walk • Subway Tanimachi line, Higashi-Umeda stn, 6 – min walk
Admission: free • 06-6364-8967
Hanezu Odori Dance
Mar 29
Zuishinin Temple, Kyoto
The blossoms of the plum tree in this temple are named hanezu, meaning pale pink in colour. Young girls dressed in pale pink perform their annual Hanezu dance at the temple, which is believed to be the house of Ono no Komachi, a famous tanka poet in the Heian period reputed to be a rare beauty. In one legend, a high-ranking courtier fell in love with her, and Komachi promised that if he visited her continuously for 100 nights, then he would become her lover. He walked a great distance every day to see her, but failed on his 100th journey. Despairing, he died in a snowstorm. It is said that Komachi lived here late in life, and played with children, dancing and singing when spring arrived. The Hanezu dance is associated with the legend.
Time: 11am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 3pm • Getting there: Subway Tozai line, Ono stn • Admission: ¥1,000 • 075-571-0025
Kansai Festival Listings February
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Shunie, Omizutori, Otaimatsu
Nigatsudo in Todaiji Temple, Nara
Mar 1 – 14
Shunie, familiarly called Omizutori or Otaimatsu, has taken place annually since 752. Otaimatsu is the main event, with a breathtaking view of monks carry blazing torches across the balcony of the temple hall.
Time: 7pm on 1st to 11th and 13th • 7:30pm on 12th • 6:30pm on 14th
Getting there: JR/Kintetsu Railway Nara stn, loop bus to Daibutsuden Kasugataisha-mae
Admission: free
0742-22-5511
Hina-nagashi Festival
Awashima-jinja, Wakayama
Mar 3
Many women visit this festival to say a farewell to their hina dolls that carry special memories of childhood. Thousands of origami cranes are scattered into the sea, then boats taking on the dolls follow on.
Time: 12 noon
Getting there: Nankai Raiway Kata stn, 15 – min walk
Admission: free
073-459-0043
Sagicho Matsuri Festival
Himure Hachimangu, Shiga
Mar 14 – 15
Young men donning make-up parade through the town on dazzling, colourful floats. The floats are called Sagicho, and they are burned with holy fire at the festival’s climax on the 15th.
Time: 1pm – 5pm on 14th; 10:am – 10:40pm on 15th
Getting there: JR Biwako line, Omi-Hachiman stn, bus to Obatamachi
0748-32-7003
Seiryue Dragon Dance
Kiyomizudera Temple, Kyoto
Mar 15 – 17
A powerful dragon dance associated with a local myth. As legend has it, a dragon that was the incarnation of Kannon (the God of Mercy) flew to the waterfall in this temple and drank the sacred water.
Time: 2pm
Getting there: JR Kyoto stn, 206/100 bus to Gojozaka
Admission: ¥300
075-551-1234
Hude Matsuri Festival
Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine, Nara
Mar 20
Festival-goers give thanks to Moten, who invented a writing brush, and pray for an improvement of their handwriting skills. Bring your worn-out writing brush to the event and exchange it for a new one.
Time: 10am – 3pm
Getting there: Kintetsu Railway Kyoto line, Yamatosaitaiji stn 15 – min walk • Kintetsu Railway Kshihara line, Amagatsuji stn 10 – min walk
Admission: free
0742-45-3576
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