“NAKED meets Nijo-jo Castle 2025: A Summer Flow of Light” Illumination
25 Jul – 24 Aug 2025
Special Openings Things to Do
Festivals & Events
Kyoto holds many cultural, artistic, and nature-related events throughout the year.
See which ones you will have a chance to experience during your upcoming trip.
Featured Events
Special Openings 
Kongo School of Noh Regular Theater Performance
14 Sep 2025
Art / Music / Theater 
Ninna-ji Temple Kannon-do Hall – Kyoto Summer Special Openings
11 Jul – 30 Sep 2025
Special Openings 
Kyoto, dyed by Japan’s oldest cotton merchant – Japanese towels (tenugui) exhibition
12 Apr – 23 Oct 2025
Art / Music / Theater 
Kamigamo-jinja Shrine Honden (Main Sanctuary) and Gonden (Temporary Sanctuary) – Kyoto Summer Special Openings
11 Jul – 30 Sep 2025
Special Openings 
Shimogamo-jinja Shrine Honden (Main Sanctuary) and Oidono (Old Sanctuary Kitchen) – Kyoto Summer Special Openings
11 Jul – 30 Sep 2025
Special Openings Search for Events
81 Results
The 22nd Candlelit Noh Theater Performance: “Matsuyama Tengu”
16 Aug 2025
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Kongo Noh Theatre
Hensho-ji Temple’s Lantern Floating
16 Aug 2025
Traditional Events Venue: Hirosawa Pond
Arashiyama Lantern Floating Festival
16 Aug 2025
Traditional Events Venue: Arashiyama Nakanoshima Park
Thousand-day Pilgrimage / Special Viewing of Nainaijin in the Main Hall
14 Aug - 16 Aug 2025
Special Openings Venue: Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Gozan Okuribi Bonfires
16 Aug 2025
Traditional Events Venue: Various locations throughout the city
Ruriko-in Temple Summer Special Opening
01 Jul - 17 Aug 2025
Special Openings Venue: Ruriko-in Temple
Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) Exhibition – Swordsmith Village Arc / Hashira Training Arc
18 Jul - 17 Aug 2025
Art / Music / Theater Venue: The Museum of Kyoto, 3rd Floor Exhibition Room
Ancient Chinese Bronzes Exhibition
26 Apr - 17 Aug 2025
Art / Music / Theater Venue: SEN-OKU HAKUKOKAN MUSEUM
Main Events
Aoi Matsuri Festival
May 15
A long-held procession from Kyoto Imperial Palace to two historic shrines, with 500 people in courtly Heian attire.
Read more
Gion Matsuri Festival
July 1-31
One of the three greatest festivals of Japan, when downtown Kyoto is lively with lavishly decorated festival floats.
Read more
Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Bonfires
August 16
Five mountains around Kyoto are lit up with bonfires as a send-off for ancestral spirits who visit during Obon.
Read more
Jidai Matsuri Festival
October 22
This parade of roughly 2,000 participants dressed in period garb representing over 1,000 years of Kyoto’s history.
Read moreSeasonal Events
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Seasonal Information
No matter what time of year you visit, special experiences await.
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