Kyoto Event Guide
There are Kyoto events throughout the four seasons of the year.
SPRING
April
Haru no Odori (Spring Dances)
In spring, the geiko and maiko of Kyoto's major traditional entertainment quarters stage a series of dances (Miyako Odori, Kyo Odori, Kitano Odori, and Kamogawa Odori).
May 3
Yabusame Umashinji
This horse and archery event is held annually in Shimogamo Shrine on the 3rd. It functions as a preliminary, purfication ritual of the Aoi Matsuri festival.
May 15
Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival)
One of Kyoto's three major festivals, the Aoi Matsuri is held on the 15th. A 700-meter procession of carts and people dressed in authentic historical costumes parades from the Imperial Palace to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine.
May - the 3rd Sunday
Mifune Matsuri (Mifune Festival)
Held on the 3rd Sunday of May on the river in Arashiyama. Highlights include an elegant aristocratic atmosphere, poetry, court music and dancing on some twenty imperial boats.
Outdoor Yuka Dining Platforms
For four-and-a-half months, from about May 1st, restaurants along the west side of the Kamogawa River set up outdoor dining platforms called yuka.
SUMMER
June 1,2
Kyoto Takigi Noh
This magnificent nightime traditional theatre performance, lit by burning torches, is held at Heian Shrine on the 1st and 2nd. The event only dates back to 1950, but the performance and the players themselves are timeless and mysterious.
July 1-29
Gion Matsuri (Gion Festival)
This festival, consists of a number of purification rites and rituals held between the 1st and the 29th. The highlight is the three nights (14th, 15th, 16th) leading up to the giant procession (17th) of rolling, wooden, float-towers covered in ancient textiles and pulled by hand.
August 7-10
Toki Matsuri (Pottery Fair)
From the 7th to the 10th, Gojo Street east of the river become a giant pottery market, with over 500 artists selling their wares.
August 16
Daimonji (Obon Send-off Fires)
The end of the Festival of the Dead, this unique event takes place at around 20:00 on the 16th, when the first of five giant hillside cedar bonfires (in the shape of various Buddhist symbols is set alight.
AUTUMN
September
Kangetsu no Yuube (Harvest Full Moon)
On the night of the harvest full moon (in early October in some years), Daikakuji Temple, one of the three best places for moon watching in Japan, throws an ancient and elaborate moon viewing party. As part of the celebrations a number of boats move out into the center of Osawa Pond.
October 22
Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)
This magnificent procession, some 1,700 people, in traditional costumes, hosted by Heian Shrine on the 22nd, leaves from the Imperial Palace (lasts about three hours in total).
October 22
Kurama no Himatsuri ( Fire festival in Mt. Kurama)
This wild and unique fire festival takes place in the mountain village of Kurama on the 22nd. At the climax of the festival, male family members (after the small boys have paraded about with their own torches), carry long burning fire torches up to Yuki Shrine on the mountainside.
November - the 2nd Sunday
Arashiyama Momiji Matsuri (Arashiyama Maple Festival)
This festival, held in honor of the autumn leaves of this famous area, takes place around the Togetsukyo Bridge on the second Sunday of the month. Festivities include traditional Japanese dancing, music and a kyogen comedy theatre performance.
WINTER
December 1
Kencha Sai (Tea Festival)
Held on the 1st of the month at Kitano Tenmangu Temple, this festival was established by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587, Events include tea ceremonies, shrine rituals and different forms of entertainment.
January 4
Kemari Hajime
Held in Shimogamo Shrine on the 4th, kemari is a game that was once played by the Imperial family. Kemari is also played at Shiramine Shrine on July 7th.
February 8-12
Hatsu Ebisu
Especially celebrated by business people from the 8th to the 12th at Ebisu Shrine, Hatsu Ebisu dates back to the 16th century.
February 25
Baika Sai (Plum Blossom Festival)
This giant plum blossom festival takes place at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine on the 25th. In an orchard filled with the sweet smell of pink and white blossoms, a tea party is held where visitors are served by geiko and maiko.
