Mitsuki Umashi Festival – Autumn 2023 Heijokyo Tempyo Festival Autumn Harvest and Reenactment of Ancient Events
Time and Dates: October 21st (Sat) and 22nd (Sun), 2023 from 10:00~16:00
*In the case of stormy weather, the event will be cancelled.
(Partial cancellation in case of rain)
Venue: Suzaku-mon Hiroba Square at the Heijokyu Palace Site, Nara City (Free)
The Mitsuki Umashi Festival is an autumn festival you can enjoy sake and food from Nara and seeing ancient events featuring music and dance. “Mitsuki” is an ancient word which means to make an offering of harvested food, flowers, music, etc. and refers to all things one holds dear to them. The word “umashi” can be taken to mean both “beautiful” and “delicious.”
Mitsuki Celebration: Reenactment based on the motif of a Niiname (Harvest) Festival
Time and Date: From 14:45, October 22nd (Sun)
Venues: From 14:45, Special Stage in Front of Suzaku-mon Gate (Free)
From 15:30, Heijokyu Palace Izanai-kan “Special Venue” (at the end of the corridor) (Free)
A reenactment of a ceremony celebrating the harvest and praying for fertility for the following year including Sangaku (ancient entertainment similar to a circus) introduced from China during the Nara Period.
*After the program on the special stage in front of Suzaku-mon Gate ends, proceed to Heijokyu Palace Izanai-kan, where a reenactment play will be performed.
Featured Presenters
Modern Sangaku Group
Ancient Japanese court music player Yutaka Ota and others
Ms. Aina Fukumoto, a former member of NMB48
The Imperial Guard Comes Alive Again
Dates: October 21 (Sat) and 22 (Sun)
Times: Gate Opening Ceremony: 10:00 / Gate Closing Ceremony: 15:45
Venue: Suzaku-mon Gate Area / Special Stage in Front of Suzaku-mon (Free)
A recreation of how the Imperial Guard, who once protected the streets of Heijokyo, once appeared. Don’t miss the ceremonies for the opening and closing of the Suzaku-mon Gate, and their regular patrols.
Suzaku Avenue Patrol – Commemorative photo session In Front of Kentoushi Ship
Times 11:20 / 13:00 / 14:30
*In case of rain, content may change or be cancelled without prior notice.
<Invigoration Project>
The Heijokyo Tempyo Festival Guards will also appear at the Heijokyu Palace Site on the following dates as well as during the Heijokyo Tempyo Festival. Visitors are welcome to take photos with the guards during their regular palace patrols and while they are gatekeeping.
Schedule:
October 7th (Sat), 8th (Sun), 14th (Sat), 15th (Sun), 21st (Sat), and 22nd (Sun)
Mingei Festival
(Main event in which everyone in Nara can enjoy art)
Times and Dates: October 21st (Sat) from 12:30~15:30, and, October 22nd (Sun) from 10:30~14:30
Venue: Special Stage in Front of the Suzaku-mon Gate (Free)
This year, the Mingei Festival will be held in conjunction with the Autumn 2023 Tempyo Festival, with a variety of performers appearing on the special stage in front of the Suzaku-mon Gate over both days.
21st
ClariS – the popular female duo who have also performed at the biggest anime song festival in
Japan – feature as the main artist!
*Advance applications only required for 21st / All audience seating is reserved
*Submit applications via the special site below.
22nd
Groups from all over Nara Prefecture will perform. Kouki, a YouTuber pianist with over 100,000 subscribers, will also appear. Unscheduled performances may be possible on the day-of on the Mingei Piano at the venue!
*Advance applications are not needed for 22nd / Unreserved seating
*Details will be posted on the special website.
*Please inquire about festival details and how to apply for tickets using the following special website.
Mingei Festival Special Website
Contact the Mingei Festival Secretariat for questions about Mingei
Tel: 0742-23-6420,
E-mail: nara-art@tsp-work.jp
*Please note that we cannot answer questions regarding the performance order and timing for the performances.
Gathering of Nara’s “Umashi” (delicacies) at the Heijokyu Palace Site!
Time and Dates: October 21 (Sat) and 22 (Sun), 10:00 ‒ 16:00
Venue: Suzaku Avenue
Tempyo Marché
Here you can find many “umashi” (delicacies) of Nara, including those from well-established local stores.
Sake Celebration
Local sake from around Nara Prefecture is available for tasting and purchase.
Tempyo Harvest Festival: Autumn Bread Festival
An assortment of breads and pastries from popular bakeries in Nara Prefecture.
Try Your Hand at Calligraphy
Time and Dates: October 21st (Sat) and 22nd (Sun), 10:00~16:00
Venue: Suzaku Avenue (Fee Required)
This is an experience corner where visitors can try their hand at traditional calligraphy using brushes and inks from Nara. Create an original bookmark using your favorite word.
- Bookmark calligraphy experience: ¥500
- Japanese washi calligraphy experience: ¥300
*Registration closes at 15:30
In cooperation with: Nara University of Education
Sale of Heijokyo Tempyo Festival Original Seal Books
Time and Dates: October 21st (Sat) and 22nd (Sun)
Venue: Suzaku Avenue
Our popular seal books will be back on sale! Visitors can get seals for free from the calligraphy students at Nara University of Education dressed in period costume.
*Sales close once all books are sold out.
*Book sales limited to one per person.
*Visitors are limited to just one seal per book, even if you bring your own seal book.
Price: ¥2,000 (including tax) per book / Gold or Silver
In cooperation with: Nara University of Education
Tempyo Costume Experience Corner
Time and Dates: October 21st (Sat) and 22nd (Sun), 10:00 ‒ 16:00
Venue: Suzaku Avenue (Fee Required)
Dress up in Tempyo period costume to stroll around the palace site.
Nara Period Experience Corner
Time and Dates: October 21st (Sat) and 22nd (Sun), 10:00 ‒ 16:00
Venue: Suzaku Avenue (Free)
Experience popular games from the Nara Period.
Craft Experience Corner
Time and Dates: October 21st (Sat) and 22nd (Sun), 10:00 ‒ 16:00
Venue: Suzaku Avenue (Fee Required)
Enjoy various forms of addictive craftwork, such as making kaleidoscopes and bamboo crafts.
Silk Road Wellness
Time and Dates: October 21st (Sat) and 22nd (Sun), 10:00 ‒ 16:00
Venue: Beside the transport terminal (Fee required, but partially free)
Experience the healing power of Japanese kampo medicines and global medicinal herb culture, introduced via the Silk Road and handed down since the Nara Period. Along with the sale of medicinal herbs and foodstuffs, workshops will be held. This year’s activities include dining and yoga. Please enjoy the various experiences.
Heijokyu Palace Site Exploration Tour
Dates: October 21st (Sat) and 22nd (Sun)
Registration: Suzaku Avenue Information Center (Free)
Program
Part 1.
10:30 (Japanese tour)
11:00 (English tour)
11:30 (Chinese tour)
Part 2.
13:00 (Japanese tour)
13:30 (English tour)
14:00 (Chinese tour)
The tour provides a 90-minute historical exploration of the Heijokyu Palace Site. Enjoy a guided tour of the park with a child-friendly explanation.
Languages Offered: Japanese, English, and Chinese
Capacity: 15 people per tour
*Registration can be made on the day-of from 10:00 at the Information Center.
*First-come first-serve basis (New registrations will no longer be accepted once capacity is reached for each tour.)
Heijokyu Palace Site AR History Quiz Rally
Time and Dates: October 21st (Sat) and 22nd (Sun), 10:00~16:00
Registration: Suzaku Avenue Information Center (Free)
Tour the park to complete the AR Quiz Rally. Answer the quiz at the five points in the park indicated by original characters based on the motifs of the emperor and four deities. Those who complete the rally will receive a prize!
Location of Points
1: Suzaku-mon Hiroba Square
2: Daiichiji Daigokuden
3: Ikotenji-kan
4: To-in Teien
5: Heijokyu-seki Shiryo-kan
In cooperation with: Nara Girls’ High School
*Installation of a free app is required to participate in the Quiz Rally. We recommend downloading the app in advance.
See below to download the app.
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There is no on-site parking available for event visitors.
Please use public transport, such as trains or buses, to access the venue.
Access
Use of trains or buses is recommended to visit the venue.
・Approx. 20-minute walk from the South Exit of Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station. The Gurutto Bus runs from Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station and Kintetsu Nara Station.(¥100 per rideGurutto Bus Omiya-dori Route (every 15 minutes)
・Gurutto Bus Omiya-dori Route (every 15 minutes)
Departs from/arrives at Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station to the venue: 9:12 ‒ 16:42 (Last bus from venue: 16:30)
Departs from/arrives at Kintetsu Nara Station to the venue: 9:32 ‒ 16:17 (Last bus from venue: 16:52)
・Approx. 15 minutes by free shuttle bus from the West Exit of JR Nara Station (every 15 minutes) Departs from/arrives at the West Exit of JR Nara Station to the venue: 9:30 ‒ 15:00 (Last bus from venue: 16:30)
Organizers: Heijokyu (Nara Palace) Site Invigoration Executive Committee, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Assisted by: Nara Prefecture Art Festival Executive Committee
Contact: Heijokyo Tempyo Festival Executive Committee Secretariat
Tel: 0742-25-0707 (Weekdays 10:00 ‒ 17:00)
Please check the following website for event details.
URL: http://www.tenpyosai.jp
*Note: Event content is subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
*Photos do not necessarily represent event content.