With September comes autumn, but Kyoto's summer is not over until Hassaku Matsuri, the final summer festival has taken its course. Held each year on the first Sunday of September at Matsuo Taisha shrine in Arashiyama, this is the event of the sumo matches and the lion dances…

Why are there so many parades, floats, geisha dances and temple light-ups in Kyoto? It seems Japanese people just love celebrations, commemorations and giving thanks year round…