Mid
Mar
 2026

Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival (March)

2:00pm – 3:30pm
Free

The Seiryu-e Festival at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto celebrates the Blue Dragon, a guardian deity thought to protect the city’s east.

The same festival also happens in April and autumn each year.

What happens?

Held at the scenic Kiyomizu-dera Temple, this festival features a spirited procession of the “Blue Dragon” (technically green, as green is often called blue in Japanese).

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A massive dragon puppet is carried through the temple grounds at 2 p.m., accompanied by monks, traditional attendants, and taiko drummers. The dragon is believed to drink from the Otowa Waterfall, located beneath the temple’s main hall.

Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.

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