Events in Kyoto

Kayabuki no Sato Snow Lantern Festival

An amazing chance to see a remote, snow-covered thatched village illuminated with hundreds of lanterns.

Baikasai Plum Blossom Festival

A fantastic opportunity to see one of Kyoto’s most beautiful temples, with stunning plum blossom, tea ceremonies and even Geisha – this is an unmissable event. The grounds are filled …

Kitano Odori

The first of Kyoto's annual spring geisha performances, performed by the geiko and maiko of Kamishichen.

Kiyomizu-dera Spring Illuminations

To celebrate the change to spring, Kiyomizu-dera will hold a night event to brighten up the foliage.

Kyo Odori

A performance by the geiko and maiko of Kyoto's Miyagawachō district to welcome spring.

Maruyama Park Weeping Cherry Tree Illumination

The light-up event of the weeping cherry tree at Maruyama Park in Kyoto is a must-see annual tradition.

Okazaki Canal Boat Rides

There are countless ways to make the most of cherry blossom season in Kyoto — hanami (blossom viewing) picnics, strolls along the Kamogawa River, and boat rides down the Okazaki canal. The …

Nijo Castle Sakura Festival 2024

Tokyo-based art collective Naked once again has a hand in these stunning, seasonal illuminations.

Heian Jingu Reisai Festival

Celebrating the accession ceremony day of the temple’s deity – Emperor Kanmu in 781 in Nara, this annual festival features an opportunity to see Geiko (the geisha of Kyoto) and Maiko, …

Miyako Odori

Celebrate spring in Kyoto with the annual Miyako Odori, a performance by geiko (the Kyoto word for geisha) and maiko (apprentice geiko) from Gion Kōbu — the largest of the city’s …

Yabusame Shinji

A horseback archery display between the trees, this is an impressive feat of skill on show in Kyoto once a year. Taking place annually on the third of May, this event takes place in the run up to …

Ninnaji Flower Festival

Kyoto’s Ninnaji Temple is famous for its cherry blossoms. Especially it’s very own variety, known as Omoro-zakura, which typically bloom a week or so later than the standard-bearer …

Aoi Matsuri

Also known as the Hollyhock Festival, this is one of the city’s biggest events and is a great chance to see traditional costumes on parade from the Imperial Palace to the Kamo shrines. Over …

Kankame-Inari Yomiya Festival

Located at a shrine which alas, does not exist in English on Google Maps, this is a very small local festival but has plenty of geiko and maiko (Kyoto’s geisha). Taking place in …

Mifune Festival

The Mifune Festival takes place on the Katsura River in Arashiyama on the third Sunday of May each year. The festival features traditional boats carrying musicians and performers floating down …

Kamogawa Odori

This is the last of Kyoto’s spring geisha dances, held annually in May, and featuring the geiko (the Kyoto word for geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) from Pontochō. The performance has …