Hiking Mount Atago on July 31 at Night

愛宕山千日参り

The night of July 31 is magic in Kyoto.

On that night, thousands of hikers climb Mount Atago - at night.

At 924 meters, it is the highest mountain in the city.

The festival that takes place that night is known as "Sennichi Tsuyasai," which roughly translates as one thousand days all night festival.

The purpose of the festival is to pray to the gods on the mountain for a thousand days of flame (for cooking, heating, life) and, on the contrary, a thousand days of fire prevention.

The hike is about 4 kilometers from top to bottom, though a bit shorter if you start from the opposite side of the mountain.

What makes this event special is that most of the climbers do so after dark. The city strings up lights from the bottom of the mountain, in Kiyotaki, all the way to the very top at Atago Shrine.

As hikers ascend the mountain, they call out "O kudariyasu" (on your way down) to those descending. In reply, they say "O noboriyasu" (on your way up).

At the very top are many lanterns (see bottom left).

Once at the top, pilgrims buy good luck charms to ward off fire and bad luck.

What to Bring

Light clothes, plus something heavier for when you get to the top (the temperature can be quite chilly)
A change of clothes
Water
Light snacks
Small towel for sweat
Bit of cash just in case
Sneakers or light hiking boots
Flashlight

Bus to Kiyotaki


Kyoto Bus:

From JR Kyoto Station: Bus stop No. C6 Bus No. 72
From Hankyu Arashiyama station: Bus No. 62 or 72
From Keihan Sanjo station: Bus stop No. 14 Bus No. 62

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Mount Atago

Mount Atago Night Climb

愛宕山千日参り

Tonight is the annual trek up to the top of Mount Atago.

And it is magic.

Every year on July 31, thousands of hikers climb Mount Atago in the middle of the night.

At 924 meters, Atago-san is the highest mountain in the city.

The festival that takes place that night is known as "Sennichi Tsuyasai," which roughly translates as one thousand days all night festival.

The purpose of the festival is to pray to the gods on the mountain for a thousand days of flame (for cooking, heating, life) and, on the contrary, a thousand days of fire prevention.

The hike is about 4 kilometers from top to bottom.

What makes this event special is that most of the climbers do so after dark. The city strings up lights from the bottom of the mountain, in Kiyotaki, all the way to the very top at Atago Shrine.

As hikers ascend the mountain, they call out "O kudariyasu" (on your way down) to those descending. In reply, they say "O noboriyasu" (on your way up).

At the very top are many lanterns (see bottom left).

Once at the top, pilgrims buy good luck charms to ward off fire and bad luck.

The hike starts in Kiyotaki, a rural village not too far from Arashiyama.

What to Bring

Light clothes, plus something heavier for when you get to the top (the temperature can be quite chilly)
A change of clothes
Water
Light snacks
Small towel for sweat
Bit of cash just in case
Sneakers or light hiking boots
Flashlight (optional)

Bus to Kiyotaki


Kyoto Bus:

From JR Kyoto Station: Bus stop No. C6 Bus No. 72
From Hankyu Arashiyama station: Bus No. 62 or 72
From Keihan Sanjo station: Bus stop No. 14 Bus No. 62

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Kyoto
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Mount Atago

Kyoto Event Hiking Mount Atago

愛宕山千日参り（毎年７月３１日）

In the northwest of Kyoto is the city's highest mountain: Atago-san.

It is more than 900 meters high, and on the peak sits Atago Shrine.

Every year on the evening of July 31, the mountain hosts the "Sennichi Mairi" festival.

The purpose of the festival is to pray for fire: for heating and warmth and cooking, and, conversely, to avoid having your house burn down.

Thousands of hike up from the Kiyotaki village, which is a short bus ride from Arashiyama.

The hardest part of the hike is the first kilometer or so. Even with many breaks, it took us a bit more than three hours from Kiyotaki to the Shrine.

There we prayed, made an offering, and with tea devotees brewed up Japanese tea.

After, that is was a 90-minute bounce down the mountain,  and then a fifteen minute walk back to the bikes which were parked near Adashino Nenbutsu Temple in Arashiyama.

What to Bring


Warm Clothes for the the peak (it is considerably colder at the top)
Lots of water
Towel for perspiration
A bit of cash, just in case
Sneakers or comfortable hiking shoes
Hiking Sticks for your knees
Flashlight (you probably will not need it, but just in case)


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Tags Japan Touring Kyoto Cycle Japanese

Climbing Mount Atago Fire Festival

愛宕山千日参り

The night of July 31 is magic in Kyoto.

On that night, thousands of hikers climb Mount Atago - at night.

At 924 meters, it is the highest mountain in the city.

The festival that takes place that night is known as "Sennichi Tsuyasai," which roughly translates as one thousand days all night festival.

The purpose of the festival is to pray to the gods on the mountain for a thousand days of flame (for cooking, heating, life) and, on the contrary, a thousand days of fire prevention.

The hike is about 4 kilometers from top to bottom.

What makes this event special is that most of the climbers do so after dark. The city strings up lights from the bottom of the mountain, in Kiyotaki, all the way to the very top at Atago Shrine.

As hikers ascend the mountain, they call out "O kudariyasu" (on your way down) to those descending. In reply, they say "O noboriyasu" (on your way up).

At the very top are many lanterns (see bottom left).

Once at the top, pilgrims buy good luck charms to ward off fire and bad luck.

What to Bring

Light clothes, plus something heavier for when you get to the top (the temperature can be quite chilly)
A change of clothes
Water
Light snacks
Small towel for sweat
Bit of cash just in case
Sneakers or light hiking boots
Flashlight

Bus to Kiyotaki


Kyoto Bus:

From JR Kyoto Station: Bus stop No. C6 Bus No. 72
From Hankyu Arashiyama station: Bus No. 62 or 72
From Keihan Sanjo station: Bus stop No. 14 Bus No. 62

© CycleKyoto.com

CycleKyoto Home Page

Tags

Japan
Touring
Kyoto
Cycle
Mount Atago

Climbing Mount Atago

愛宕山千日参り

Every year on July 31, hordes of hikers climb Mount Atago in Kyoto.

At 924 meters, it is the second highest mountain in the city.

The festival is called "Sennichi Tsuyasai," which roughly means one thousand days all night festival.

The purpose of the festival is to pray for a thousand days of flame (for cooking, heating, etc.) and, to the contrary, a thousand days of fire prevention.

The hike is about 4 kilometers.

What makes this event special is that most of the climbers do so after dark. The city strings up lights from the base of the mountain, in Kiyotaki, all the way to the very top at Atago Shrine.

As hikers ascend the mountain, they call out "O kudariyasu" (on your way down) to those descending. In reply, they say "O noboriyasu" (on your way up).

At the very top are many lanterns (see bottom left).

Once at the top, pilgrims buy good luck charms to ward off fire and bad luck.

What to Bring

Light clothes, plus something heavier for when you get to the top (the temperature can be quite chilly)
A change of clothes
Water
Light snacks
Small towel for sweat
Bit of cash just in case
Sneakers or light hiking boots
Flashlight

Bus to Kiyotaki


Kyoto Bus:

From JR Kyoto Station: Bus stop No. C6 Bus No. 72
From Hankyu Arashiyama station: Bus No. 62 or 72
From Keihan Sanjo station: Bus stop No. 14 Bus No. 62

© CycleKyoto.com

CycleKyoto Home Page

Tags

Japan
Touring
Kyoto
Cycle
Mount Atago