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Things to Do

Festivals & Events

Festivals & Events
Gion Matsuri Festival

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.

*Please note that the displayed dates indicate only the start and the end date of an event. There may be days within that period when the event is not held. Please visit the official website linked below each entry for further details and latest information.

Featured Events

IMAGINE NOH

IMAGINE NOH

12 Nov – 04 Dec 2025

Art / Music / Theater

Venue: The Kyoto Kanze Noh Theatre / The Kongo Noh Theatre

Fushimi Sake Festival in Otesuji Shopping Street

Fushimi Sake Festival in Otesuji Shopping Street

15 Nov 2025

Tours & Experiences

Venue: Fushimi Ote-suji Shopping Street *Please note that the reception location is Nanbu Park.

Byodo-in Temple’s Special Night Opening “Radiant Light and Autumn Brilliance”
Image copyright: Byodo-in Temple

Byodo-in Temple’s Special Night Opening “Radiant Light and Autumn Brilliance”

22 Nov – 07 Dec 2025

Special Openings

Venue: Byodo-in Temple

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ENTER NOH

ENTER NOH

11 Nov 2025

Art / Music / Theater

Venue: Kyoto Kanze Kaikan Noh Theater

Fushimi Sake Festival in Otesuji Shopping Street

Fushimi Sake Festival in Otesuji Shopping Street

15 Nov 2025

Tours & Experiences

Venue: Fushimi Ote-suji Shopping Street *Please note that the reception location is Nanbu Park.

Special Autumn Evening Opening of Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto’s Oldest Zen Temple

Special Autumn Evening Opening of Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto’s Oldest Zen Temple

16 Nov 2025

Tours & Experiences

Venue: Meeting place: Kennin-ji Temple Visitor's Reception (Main Temple)

JS Bach: Complete Solo Violin Sonatas & Partitas Concert (Kyoto Autumn Music Festival)

JS Bach: Complete Solo Violin Sonatas & Partitas Concert (Kyoto Autumn Music Festival)

22 Nov 2025

Art / Music / Theater

Venue: Kyoto Concert Hall Ensemble Hall Murata (small hall)

Main Events

Aoi Matsuri Festival

Aoi Matsuri Festival

May 15

A long-held procession from Kyoto Imperial Palace to two historic shrines, with 500 people in courtly Heian attire.

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Gion Matsuri Festival

Gion Matsuri Festival

July 1-31

One of the three greatest festivals of Japan, when downtown Kyoto is lively with lavishly decorated festival floats.

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Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Bonfires

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.

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Jidai Matsuri Festival

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.

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Seasonal Events

The Aoi Matsuri Festival Procession Sales Information: Parade Viewing Seats
Festivals & Events
Hinamatsuri Festival
Cultural Sites Festivals & Events
Lake Biwa Canal Cruise
Activities
Yamashina in Spring
Areas Cultural Sites Nature & Outdoors
Aoi Matsuri Festival
Festivals & Events
“Haru no Odori” – Spring Dance performances by maiko and geiko in 2025
Festivals & Events
Cherry-Picked Sakura Spots on the Edges of Kyoto
Areas Nature & Outdoors

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Seasonal Information

No matter what time of year you visit, special experiences await.

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