Enjoy the Autumn Moon With Fantastic Food in Kyoto! Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-Date: Aug 29, 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Enjoy the Autumn Moon With Fantastic Food in Kyoto!

In late September, Japan celebrates the beautiful Harvest Moon with festivals and offerings. Kyoto, in particular, has many temples and shrines hosting moon-viewing events. This article will introduce three of the best Harvest Moon events in Kyoto with two superb restaurants to visit afterwards!

What Is the Chushu-no-Meigetsu Harvest Moon?

In Japan, the Harvest Moon, called the Chushu-no-Meigetsu, appears on the night of August 15 according to the old lunar calendar, which corresponds to late September in the current calendar. This moon is considered to be the most beautiful of the year in Japan. To celebrate, Japanese people hold moon-viewing events and give thanks for a bountiful autumn harvest by making offerings of dango (sweet dumplings) and yams and putting up decorations of pampas grass, which resembles rice plants. Because the lunar and modern calendars differ by 11 days, the date of the Harvest Moon varies slightly each year.

The tradition of moon viewing, known as tsukimi in Japanese, originated in China and was introduced to Japan during the Heian Period (794-1185). Aristocrats would appreciate the beauty of the moon by reciting poems and playing musical instruments. Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, continues to celebrate this tradition at temples and shrines around late September, letting visitors experience moon viewing in historic landmarks amongst the refreshing autumn breeze.

Enjoy the Long Autumn Night in Elegant Kyoto

Kyoto hosts many autumn moon-viewing events at its temples and shrines. Here are three of the most famous!

The first is the Gionsha Kangetsu Festival held at Yasaka Shrine on the night of the Harvest Moon. This festival takes place at the Buden, a stage within the shrine grounds, filling it with melodies of wind and string instruments and drums. Lanterns surround the Buden, casting an enchanting glow as a sacred dance is performed. Be sure to also admire the splendid red-lacquered Romon Gate when visiting.

The second pick is the Kamo Kangetsu Festival, held at the World Cultural Heritage Site of Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine). After a ceremony of sacred music and dance rituals, visitors are treated to tsukimi dango (moon-viewing dumplings) and nigori-zake (cloudy sake) free of charge. Along with being a World Heritage Site, the shrine's expansive grounds include two buildings designated as National Treasures and 41 Important Cultural Properties. Be sure to also take a daytime stroll through the grounds to fully appreciate its cultural and historical grandeur.

Finally, there is the Kangetsu-no-Yube Festival at Daikakuji Temple, where you can partake in moon-viewing like a Heian Period noble.

Held over three days, including the night of the Harvest Moon, this event is steeped in history and tradition. Daikakuji Temple, originally built 1,200 years ago as Emperor Saga’s imperial villa, contains Japan's oldest garden pond, Osawa-no-Ike. Emperor Saga would view the moon from a boat on this pond with nobles and cultural luminaries. Today, you can relive this experience by reserving a boat ride in advance, or simply enjoy the moon from around the pond. The unique sight of the moon in the sky reflected on the pond’s surface is sure to leave you spellbound. A stage is set over the pond for monks to offer prayers for a good harvest and happiness.

Exquisite Restaurants for Elegant Kyoto Dining

After enjoying a deeply cultural and traditional night at a moon-viewing event, finish off the evening with a luxurious dinner at one of these fine Kyoto restaurants.

Matsusakagyu WHAT'S Kyoto Muromachi Branch (Karasuma Oike / Yakiniku)

This yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant specializes in Matsusaka Beef, one of Japan’s most premium wagyu brands.

The restaurant sources whole cows directly from contract farmers and prepares the beef at their in-house butchery. The [Assorted 5 kinds of Matsusakagyu] (7,800 JPY) offers a selection of rare cuts served with Himalayan salt to enhance the natural umami and sweetness. Fresh wasabi is also available, delivering a sharp zestiness balanced by the rich beef fat that even those averse to wasabi can appreciate.

Another popular choice is the [Today's Assortment (using rare steak) 6 pieces - Meat sushi with Matsusaka beef] (5,500 JPY). This platter features six beef sushi pieces topped with the best cuts of the day, a delicacy unique to a premium beef restaurant like this. The beef sushi pairs superbly with wine and Japanese sake.

The restaurant is situated inside a renovated Kyoto-style machiya (townhouse) built 80 years ago. These traditional wooden townhouses are known for their narrow frontage and deep, elongated layout. The restaurant also has cobblestone hallways and a small inner garden exuding authentic Japanese aesthetics.

Matsusakagyu WHAT'S Kyoto Muromachi Branch

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day Before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station on Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line
Address: 477, Eboshiya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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Higashiyama Garden (Kiyomizu-Gojo / Italian)

Here, patrons can enjoy courses that highlight Kyoto's seasonal flavors in a fusion of French and Italian cuisine. Dishes are prepared with a careful selection of fresh Japan-wide seafood and meats, complemented by locally-sourced Kyoto vegetables.

The three available courses are the [Modern Course] (6,655 JPY), [Higashiyama Course] (8,712 JPY), and [Kiyomizu Course] (11,374 JPY). The most popular is the [Higashiyama Course], made from seasonal ingredients procured that day, including a main of fish and a choice of duck or beef.

The restaurant is located in Higashiyama, where the traditional atmosphere of Kyoto is perfectly preserved. It’s close to popular landmarks like Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine, which hosts the Gionsha Kangetsu Festival introduced above.

It also boasts a serene garden designed by a landscape artist, which you can admire while dining. With such an elegant setting, guests are ensured a fine dining experience with dishes that reflect the essence of Kyoto, both in ingredients and presentation.

Higashiyama Garden

Open: [Wednesday-Sunday] Dinner from 4:00 pm (L.O. 7:30 pm)
Closed: Monday, Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: 20 minutes from JR Kyoto Station City Bus Terminal on Route D-1 #100 or Route D-2 #206 / 5 minutes walk from Kiyomizu-michi stop
Address: 4-166, Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
More Details Reservation

Japanese moon-viewing events at Kyoto’s temples and shrines reveal a new beauty different from their daytime charm. Since the Harvest Moon falls on different dates each year, be sure to check the schedule in advance for the events you wish to attend. Afterwards, treat yourself to a delightful dinner and share the joys of the moonlit evening with your companions.

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.

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