October 11 to December 8, 2019

Commemorating 25 Years of World Heritage RegistrationNijo-jo Castle Festival

Projection mapping with an autumn feeling and interactive, hands-on content are combined with illuminations of the Ninomaru Garden and the Seiryu-en Garden, and a collaboration between traditional ikebana (flower arranging), and avant-garde art.

November 1 to December 28, 2019

“Prayers at Kasuga” World Heritage IlluminationsSilent Christmas in Hirado

The terraced rice paddies of the village of Kasuga, one of the places where Christians hid from persecution, are illuminated from November with 7,000 lights (18:00 to 20:00). Illuminations in the various churches begin in December, and inside, nativity scenes and other decorations is on display.

November 21 to 22, 2019

World Heritage Summit in Nikko

A gathering of people from regions with World Heritage sites with the aim of permanent preservation and sustainable utilization of World Heritage. Day One has three subcommittee meetings at the Tôshôgû and Futarasan-jinja Shrines, and the Rinnô-ji Temple. Day Two features the main event at the Niko-Niko Honjin in Imaichi, with a keynote speech by David Atkinson.

December 30, 2019 to January 1, 2020

HIMEJI CASTLE NIGHT FANTASIESThe World by Illumination

Other World Heritage sites in Japan and Himeji-jo Castle’s sister castle feature in relay-style illuminations projected onto the main donjon of Himeji-jo Castle.
Daily until 22:00.

Early February to mid-May, 2020

World Heritage Cherry Blossom Relay

Kicking off with the Nakijin Gusuku Castle Cherry Blossom Festival from February 1 to 9, and running to Hashino Yaezakura Cherry Blossom Festival in Kamaishi in mid-May. This relay covers sixteen World Heritage sites as the cherry blossom front moves north over Japan.
(February)Nakijin→(March)Kagoshima→Minamishimabara→Miyajima→Hagi→Iwami→(April)Himeji→Kyoto→Yoshino→Mt.Fuji→Izunokuni→Tomioka→Nikko→(May)Hiraizumi→Kamaishi

February 6, 2020

Oto Matsuri Festival

Recreating the time the gods descended to earth here, in this ritual of the Kamikura-jinja Shrine (Shingu City, Wakayama Pref.) each household is gifted the fire of the gods. Two thousand men known as “noboriko” or “climbers” don white costumes tied with straw rope and carry torches lit with the sacred fire down 538 steep steps.