An autumn gathering tracing the flowers offered at the monument and the memories of Gion
Kanikakuni Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/11/08Scheduled
- Season / frequency
- Every year on November 8 / Every year
- Location
- By the Shirakawa Bridge in Gion
- Area
- Kyoto Prefecture・Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto(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.
- Features
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Tea service: ¥3,000 per person
- Last updated
- 2026/10/21
A traditional event held before the monument by the Shirakawa River in Gion to honor Yoshii Isamu, a poet who loved Gion. Visitors can discover his connection to Gion through flower offerings by geiko and maiko and the tea service.
About Kanikakuni Festival
The Kanikakuni Festival is a gathering to honor Yoshii Isamu, a poet who deeply loved Gion.
Centered on the monument by the Shirakawa River in Gion, the event includes the attendance of geiko and maiko and the offering of flowers.
It is connected with Yoshii Isamu’s poem, “Kanikakuni, I long for Gion; even as I sleep, water flows beneath my pillow,” and is one of the traditional events passed down in Gion Kobu.
In front of the monument, visitors can discover the connection between Gion and Yoshii Isamu.
Source: かにかくに祭 | イベント一覧 | 京都府観光連盟公式サイト / 花街に伝わる伝統行事 | 京・花街の文化 | 京都をつなぐ無形文化遺産 / かにかくに祭 | 祇園商店街振興組合オフィシャルサイト
Festival highlights
A highlight is watching geiko and maiko offer chrysanthemums in front of the monument by the Shirakawa River in Gion.
The monument and Gion’s scenery come together as a place to honor Yoshii Isamu and pass on the story of his achievements.
In addition to flower offerings, accounts also describe geiko and maiko serving guests at the event.
An opportunity to encounter a figure connected with Gion and the culture of its geisha district, continued in commemoration of the date the monument was erected.
Source: かにかくに祭【祇園白川橋畔】｜【京都市公式】京都観光Navi
An autumn gathering tracing the flowers offered at the monument and the memories of Gion
What to expect
The event centers on the monument by the Shirakawa River in Gion, where geiko and maiko attend and offer flowers.
Tea and soba service is provided in front of the monument, and accounts also describe geiko and maiko serving guests.
According to the 2026 information, a tea service for the general public will be offered, with registration in 30-minute sessions.
The event combines flower offerings honoring Yoshii Isamu with hospitality connected to Gion Kobu.
How to take part
Viewing is listed as free.
In 2026, a tea service for the general public will be offered; participation is available with the separate purchase of a tea service ticket.
Viewing: free / Tea service: ¥3,000 per person; in 2026, 30-minute sessions, 32 people per session; registration closes at 3:00 p.m. / 1 photo per group; photography with geiko and maiko is permitted
Location and access
- Venue and address
By the Shirakawa Bridge in Gion (Kanikakuni Monument, Motoyoshi-cho, Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture)
- Train and bus
Get off the city bus at Shijo Keihan-mae / Get off at Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line; 10-minute walk
Address Kanikakuni Monument, Motoyoshi-cho, Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Dates and season
November 8, 2026 (Sun), 11:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (30-minute sessions, 32 people per session) / Registration closes at 3:00 p.m. / Held in rainy weather
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 / Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
2026年のお茶席は各回32名様で、受付終了は15：00です。
The information states that refunds are not available after purchasing a tea service ticket.
Nearby attractions
Nearby spots listed as having a confirmed connection with the venue include the Kanikakuni Monument, Minamiza Theatre, and Pontocho.
Along with the event by the Shirakawa Bridge in Gion, these are places to experience the culture and townscape of the Gion and Kiyomizu-dera area.
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 Kanikakuni Festival
Yoshii Isamu was a poet born in 1886. In 1910, he wrote a poem about Gion, which was included in his poetry collection Saké Hogai.
During the war, in 1945, the teahouse Otomo, which stood where the monument is now, was also affected by forced removal.
On November 8, 1955, his friends erected the monument to celebrate Yoshii Isamu’s 70th birthday. After Yoshii died in 1960, people connected with him continued to offer white chrysanthemums in his memory.
Since then, the Kanikakuni Festival has been held every year on November 8.
Source: かにかくに碑｜【京都市公式】京都観光Navi
Official information
主催者：祇園甲部組合／公式案内：主催者：祇園甲部組合／公式案内／問い合わせ：祇園新地甲部組合、075-561-1115（平日10時～17時）
Kanikakuni Festival at a Glance
The Kanikakuni Festival is a traditional event held at the monument by the Shirakawa River in Gion to honor Yoshii Isamu, who loved Gion.
Through the offering of chrysanthemums and attendance by geiko and maiko, as well as the tea service in front of the monument, the event celebrates Yoshii Isamu’s connection to Gion.
The monument was erected on November 8, 1955, and the festival has been held annually to mark that date.
In 2026, it will be held on November 8; viewing is free, and the tea service is listed at ¥3,000 per person.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/21
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