Miyako no Nigiwai
See dancers from all five of Kyoto's hanamachi (geisha districts) on stage together.
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Sake Spring Kyoto 2023
Approximately 50 sake brewers from around Japan will be serving 150 different varieties of nihonshu along with food from 20 popular Japanese restaurants. In addition to booze and grub, there will …
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Minato Maizuru Chatta Festival
An annual festival taking place on the final weekend of July, this event finishes with a display of fireworks launched from a ship in the bay. The nearby beach provides a great vantage point and …
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Kameoka Hozugawa River Firework Display
Part of the annual peace festival, this display is as famous for its fireworks as it is the beautiful food stalls which are illuminated at night. The event takes place on the Hozu river banks and …
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Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi 2023
The locals call it Daimonji, the celebration during the height of the O-bon festival where Kyoto’s surrounding mountains are lit up with five bonfires. There are similar events throughout …
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Miyazu Toro Nagashi Fireworks
Held on in the beautiful Amanohashidate area, this event features lantern floating and fireworks for a magical evening in Shimasaki Park. The floating of 10,000 Toro Nagashi lanterns takes place …
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Kangetsu no Yube: Full Moon Viewing
Continuing a tradition that has taken place at Osawa Pond next to Daikakuji since the Heian era, this event gives you the chance to float on a boat in the pond under a clear autumn moon. If the …
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Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival (Autumn)
This festival at the beautiful Kiyomizu temple features a colorful dance/procession through the neighbourhood of the “Blue Dragon” (it’s a green dragon, but green is often …
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Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2023
The Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair is more proof that Kyoto isn’t just about old buildings and tradition. Held at the Miyako Messe convention center as well as the International Manga …
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Ujicha Ceremony
The home of green tea in Japan, the small town holds a traditional tea-jar opening ceremony on the first Sunday in October each year. Located just between Kyoto and Nara, Uji has long been famous …
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Saiin Kasuga Shrine Festival
A large and popular fall festival in the heart of Kyoto with traditional parades and performances held annually on the second weekend in October. There will be grande Mikoshi parades with locals …
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Kurama no Hi Matsuri
Bonfires, torches, shrines and gods are all out in the streets for this vibrant Kyoto festival. Taking place in Kurama, a small village north of Kyoto proper, the Kurama no Hi Matsuri is a …
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Gion Odori
Kyoto’s Gion Odori is a performance by the geiko (geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) of the Gion Higashi district. It’s the only one of the annual odori events to take place in …
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Arashiyama Momiji Festival
Celebrate the autumn leaves at this annual festival in one of the most beautiful spots of Kyoto. On the river around Togetsu Bridge, boats will parade through with elaborately dressed characters …
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Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Illuminations
To celebrate the changing of seasons, Kiyomizu-dera opens up in the evening three times a year (autumn, spring, and summer) and holds an illumination event to brighten up the foliage. The pagoda, …
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Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine
Want to ensure peace and prosperity for 2023? Head to Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine on the 31st of December for the Okera Mairi ceremony, which is supposed to ensure just that. What happens? Okera …
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Nijo-jo Castle Garden Special Opening
Usually only view-able from the stone foundation of the former castle keep, the Castle gardens are being opened to celebrate the new year. This is a rare opportunity to step inside the treasured …
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Kyoto Toka Ebisu Festival
This popular five-day festival celebrates Ebisu-san, one of the seven lucky Gods of Japanese mythology, responsible for prosperity. What is there to see and do? There are plenty of charms to buy …
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Yasaka Shrine Setsubun
One of the many traditional Setsubun festivals taking place across Kyoto (and Japan), Yasaka Shrine’s version is unusual in that it features Geiko – the Kyoto version of Geisha. On …
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Heian Jingu Setsubun
One of the best-known Setsubun festivals in Kyoto, this is a great place to drive away those evil spirits and welcome in the new spring season. Priests begin the day with a cleansing ritual at …
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