If you're in Kyoto for Golden Week, or just happen to be in Kyoto in general around May 3, be sure to stop by Shimogamo Shrine (下鴨神社) for the annual horseback archery competition (流鏑馬（やぶさめ））. (Japanese) You can find an English site describing the event here.
The event starts at 13:00, but based on personal experience you'll want to get there as early as you can to get a good spot. I've gone as early as 11:00 or so and it was already crowded. The event is free, although there is paid (and better) seating at the front. (What ancient spirit you have to defeat in thumb wrestling to qualify for a paid spot, I cannot say...) Standing atop of step ladders (on going piggy back) is frowned upon, if not outright prohibited.
The horses need some time to "rev up," so I suggest sitting toward the middle or end to really see them in action. It's an event of religious significance (the lead up to the Aoi Matsuri), so having the best rider first to hit all the targets is important. I usually watch the first 5 - 10 passes and call it a day; the riders aren't going to be getting any better, and it's not like later riders are switching to Gatling guns or wearing flaming sombreros.
It's pretty cool to see them in action though, flaming sombreros or not. Shimogamo Shrine is usually beautiful that time of year too, and it's a pretty impressive (and expansive) place, so come early to walk around, or go exploring when the rest of the rubes are waiting for the flaming hats.
Your best bet if coming from Osaka/Kobe is to take the Keihan Line to its terminus, Demachiyanagi Station (出町柳駅）. It's a short walk from there. There's also the Kyoto Karasuma subway line (烏丸線） -- you'll want to get off at Imadegawa and take a bus from there for Demachiyanagi. Just look around for a bus stop along Imadegawa (in front of Doshisha University would be best/easiest). Buses in that direction come fairly frequently (220 yen). You can also take a cab from Imadegawa to Demachiyanagi for maybe 800 yen or so. Not too bad. The English website for the shrine sez to take a city bus, but remember the first Golden Rule of Kyoto: Never, ever, ever take a bus from Kyoto Station. Too much traffic; you'll never get to where you're going.
Enjoy! Incidentally, skip Aoi Matsuri. Ain't worth it.
The event starts at 13:00, but based on personal experience you'll want to get there as early as you can to get a good spot. I've gone as early as 11:00 or so and it was already crowded. The event is free, although there is paid (and better) seating at the front. (What ancient spirit you have to defeat in thumb wrestling to qualify for a paid spot, I cannot say...) Standing atop of step ladders (on going piggy back) is frowned upon, if not outright prohibited.
The horses need some time to "rev up," so I suggest sitting toward the middle or end to really see them in action. It's an event of religious significance (the lead up to the Aoi Matsuri), so having the best rider first to hit all the targets is important. I usually watch the first 5 - 10 passes and call it a day; the riders aren't going to be getting any better, and it's not like later riders are switching to Gatling guns or wearing flaming sombreros.
It's pretty cool to see them in action though, flaming sombreros or not. Shimogamo Shrine is usually beautiful that time of year too, and it's a pretty impressive (and expansive) place, so come early to walk around, or go exploring when the rest of the rubes are waiting for the flaming hats.
Your best bet if coming from Osaka/Kobe is to take the Keihan Line to its terminus, Demachiyanagi Station (出町柳駅）. It's a short walk from there. There's also the Kyoto Karasuma subway line (烏丸線） -- you'll want to get off at Imadegawa and take a bus from there for Demachiyanagi. Just look around for a bus stop along Imadegawa (in front of Doshisha University would be best/easiest). Buses in that direction come fairly frequently (220 yen). You can also take a cab from Imadegawa to Demachiyanagi for maybe 800 yen or so. Not too bad. The English website for the shrine sez to take a city bus, but remember the first Golden Rule of Kyoto: Never, ever, ever take a bus from Kyoto Station. Too much traffic; you'll never get to where you're going.
Enjoy! Incidentally, skip Aoi Matsuri. Ain't worth it.
