A Buddhist star festival where candles glowing in the darkness depict the starry sky of the vast universe
Hoshi-ku (Star Festival)
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year on February 28 / Every year
- Location
- Sanzen-in
- Area
- Kyoto Prefecture・Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Last updated
- 2026/11/12
The Hoshi-ku (Star Festival) held at Sanzen-in is a Buddhist esoteric ritual in which candles are lit in the darkness, bringing the starry sky of the vast universe into view above a mandala altar. It takes place every year in the Shinden at 11 a.m. on February 28.
About Hoshi-ku (Star Festival)
The Hoshi-ku (Star Festival) is a Buddhist esoteric ritual held at Sanzen-in.
Every year at 11 a.m. on February 28, all the doors of the Shinden are closed to block out the light, and candles are lit in the darkness.
This solemn star-themed ritual brings the starry sky of the vast universe into view above a mandala altar.
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the moment when all the doors of the Shinden are closed, blocking out the light, and candles are lit in the darkness.
A distinctive feature of the Hoshi-ku is its portrayal of the starry sky of the vast universe above a mandala altar.
The ritual combines shutting out the building’s lights with representing the universe through candlelight.
A Buddhist star festival where candles glowing in the darkness depict the starry sky of the vast universe
What to expect
During the ritual, first all the doors of the Shinden are closed to block out the light from outside.
Then candles are lit in the darkness, bringing the starry sky of the vast universe into view above a mandala altar.
The main elements described are darkening the building and using candlelight to represent a starry sky.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Sanzen-in / 540 Ohara Raikoincho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
- Train and bus
Get off the Kyoto Bus at “Ohara” and walk 10 minutes
- Parking
None (many privately operated parking lots are available)
Address 540 Ohara Raikoincho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
Every year on February 28
- Frequency
Every year
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Kyoto Prefecture / Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The ritual takes place in the Shinden. The Shinden and Kyakuden are inside buildings with stairs, so they cannot be visited by wheelchair users.
Some wheelchair-accessible routes for visiting are available, and there are 2 wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
Sanzen-in has no parking lot, so if you are driving, check the information on privately operated parking lots.
Nearby attractions
Near Sanzen-in, the venue, are attractions including Ohara Onsen, Jikko-in, Hosen-in, Shorin-in, and Raigo-in.
The distances listed in a straight line from Sanzen-in are 0.1 km to Ohara Onsen, 0.2 km to Hosen-in, and 0.3 km to Raigo-in.
All are confirmed as sightseeing spots near the Hoshi-ku venue.
京都タワー
京都府京都市下京区にある塔
京都国立博物館
京都市にある国立博物館
京都国立近代美術館
京都市左京区岡崎にある美術館
京都国際マンガミュージアム
日本の京都府京都市中京区にある日本最大の漫画博物館
京都市美術館
京都市左京区岡崎にある美術館
京都府立植物園
京都市左京区にある植物園
京都鉄道博物館
京都府京都市下京区にある鉄道博物館
Fushimi Inari Taisha
京都市伏見区にある神社
元離宮二条城
京都市にある城郭及び元皇室関連施設
Yasaka Shrine
京都市東山区にある神社
円山公園
京都市にある公園
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
京都市上京区にある神社
Origins and History of Hoshi-ku (Star Festival)
According to the available information, the Hoshi-ku (Star Festival) is a Buddhist esoteric ritual.
It is held every year on February 28. The Shinden is darkened, candles are lit, and the starry sky of the vast universe is brought into view above a mandala altar.
No specific information confirming its origins or historical development is available.
Official information
三千院公式サイト：Sanzen-in official website
Hoshi-ku (Star Festival) at a Glance
The Hoshi-ku (Star Festival) is a Buddhist esoteric ritual held at Sanzen-in every year on February 28.
At 11 a.m., all the doors of the Shinden are closed to block out the light. Candles are lit in the darkness to bring the starry sky of the vast universe into view above the mandala altar.
To reach the venue, get off the Kyoto Bus at “Ohara” and walk 10 minutes.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/12
