"Jizo-bon," a traditional summer festival held to pray for the healthy growth of children, took place at various locations across Kyoto City on August 23, 2026. Children created summer memories by participating in activities such as games and the "Juzu-mawashi" (rosary-turning) ritual, where they pass a large string of prayer beads along a circle.
In the Sagano-Minamiura-cho neighborhood of Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, the event was held on a street located in the center of the community.
A small shrine dedicated to Jizo was set up inside a tent on the street. The venue also featured a game corner for *Tosenkyo*—a traditional game where players compete for points by throwing a folding fan at a target—as well as an exhibition of disaster-preparedness supplies.
By around 10:30 a.m., approximately 50 local children had joined the festivities. Cheers rang out from the *Tosenkyo* corner, and the children were delighted and excited to receive snacks as prizes.
The neighborhood association president (44 years old) said, "Jizo-bon is a valuable opportunity for neighbors to interact. I hope the children enjoy themselves while also raising their awareness of disaster preparedness."
In the Iwakura-Hataeda-cho neighborhood of Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, four local neighborhood associations held Jizo-bon events over the course of two days. On the morning of August 23, about 50 children—ranging from toddlers to elementary school students—participated from the Toriigaya neighborhood association.
The children offered incense to the Jizo statue enshrined within the grounds of the local Senshu-ji Temple. Afterward, at the adjacent Hataeda Community Center, they listened to a talk by the temple's deputy head priest (51 years old) and rotated a large string of prayer beads in time with the sound of a gong.
An eight-year-old boy in his second year at Iwakura-Minami Elementary School said, "I turned the beads while thinking about peace. It was fun spinning them around in a circle with everyone." At the community center, children enjoyed their summer moments with activities such as yo-yo fishing, ring toss, and a prize draw.
