There is something nostalgic about the arrival of September and the steady approach of summer’s end in Japan. The drop in humidity, the clearer skies, the sprouting of tiger lilies along the rivers, students marching back to school and the slight change in foliage that hints at autumn’s presence all contribute to this sentiment.
We could lament the fading of yet another fiery summer, or we could choose to keep the good times rolling. So, what’s the move?
If you lean toward the latter, then you should know that the Kansai Region is stacked with events, festivals and traditions. If you are unaware, let KABIN show you how to close out summer in Japan.
Here are our top picks for September!
Culture
Kobe Rokko Meets Art 2024
Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Date: 8/24 - 11/24
Nothing compares to being immersed in nature, especially when you are atop an autumn mountain, breathing in the crisp air of a new season. But what if you could also indulge in exhibitions by over 20 international artists while doing so?
Kobe Rokko Meets Art is an annual contemporary art festival held on Mt. Rokko in Kobe. Over the past 14 years, the festival has hosted more than 520 artists. In its fifteenth year, the event aims to create an environment where visitors can enjoy the natural beauty and art of Mt. Rokko, a legendary mountain in the city of Kobe.
Mt. Rokko is already rich with attractions, ranging from hiking trails and a sound museum to a ropeway, botanical garden and even a chapel. However, hosting a massive art festival elevates this mountain’s appeal exponentially.
Kobe Rokko Meets Art is one of those events that has something for everybody and is a Kansai staple for creatives in Japan.
More Info →
Nature
観月の夕べ, Kangetsu no Yube
Daikaku-ji Temple, Kyoto
Date: 9/15-17
"Tsukimi" is the Japanese tradition of moon-viewing, a nationwide custom that honors the full autumn moon, also known as the harvest moon. People often gather in places where the full moon can be clearly seen.
At Daikaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, home to the serene Osawa Pond, you have the opportunity to view two moons at once: one floating in the early autumn sky and the other reflecting on the water's surface. Osawa Pond is renowned as one of the three best places to view the moon in Japan. Visit Daikaku-ji and experience the elegance of autumn's arrival.
Traditional
ふとん太鼓, Futon Daiko Festival
Kawachi, Osaka
Date: 9/21-22
The Futon Daiko is an enormous festival float and portable shrine, distinguished by its base, which bears five "futon" cushions forming an inverted pyramid, with Japanese taiko drums mounted on top. When we describe it as enormous, we mean that it stands four meters tall and weighs nearly two tons.
Moreover, the Futon Daiko is carried throughout the town by dozens of locals to celebrate the full moon and to pray for an abundant autumn harvest. According to tradition, the gods are believed to sit upon the cushions atop the drums, purifying the streets as the float passes.
Even if you are not one of the 50 to 70 individuals bearing the Futon Daiko on your shoulders, you will find that the valiant townspeople who do so never fail to involve the crowd with their festival chants. Do not be surprised if you find yourself chanting along with them. The energy at these festivals is always magnetic, and everyone present—whether viewer or participant—contributes significantly to the overall experience.
Nightlife
昭和歌謡喫茶 “Showa Era Coffee Parlor”
Club Move, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
Date: 9/4
Admission: FREE
Nothing evokes the essence of 1980s Showa-era Japan quite like the City Pop music genre. "Showa Kayo Kissa" (which translates to "Showa Ballad Coffee Parlor") is a club event dedicated entirely to this nostalgic sound. The DJs at this event will spin records from iconic artists such as Mariya Takeuchi and Taeko Ohnuki, as well as more recent names like Hitomitoi and Night Tempo. Guests can even request their favorite hits. Whether old or new, this event promises a night filled with upbeat grooves and nonstop dancing.
@KABIN
Ahraun ‘Afterglow.’ Photo Exhibition
Reception & SWRL Grand Opening @ KABIN Taka, Kyoto
DATE: 09/14
TIME: 3 - 7 p.m.
ADMISSION: FREE
Come celebrate the opening of our favorite photographer Ahraun’s evocative exhibition AND be the first to give our new SWRL Milkshake Bar a whirl!
Originally from Long Beach, California, Ahraun resides in Kansai. We love the element of everyday surreality and poignant expressiveness in his work.
Salsa Dance Class & Social Dance
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Dance Class + Social Dance = 2500yen
Social Dance = 2000yen
Special discount for KABIN guests!
We were so into our last event with Cafe Rumbita, Kyoto’s salsa sweethearts, we decided to make the collab monthly! Join us every second Saturday for a dance, a drink, or both!!
RSVP→
