Kyoto
Nov 11
Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, Kyoto
Every year when the fall leaves turn, the magical Japanese creature called the tengu comes down from Mt. Atago to Otagi Nenbutsuji, and a ritual to ward off evil spirits is performed. Shooting arrows in the air and loudly beating wooden clappers, five tengu – one blue-faced, one gold-faced, others multicolored – work vigorously to scare away the evil spirits. There will be a taiko drumming performance given by children before the ritual begins. There are also 1,200 Buddhist stone statues to see in this temple.