See & Do
The Aoi Matsuri festival procession Sales information: Parade Viewing Seats
See & Do
The Aoi Matsuri festival procession Sales information: Parade Viewing Seats
The procession of Aoi Matsuri, one of the three main annual festivals of Kyoto, will be held this year on May 15 (Wed).
It consists of local participants, dressed in elegant attire from the Heian period (794-1185), that parade through Kyoto.
This festival has famously been depicted in the eleventh-century literary masterpiece - the "Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu, considered to be the oldest novel in the world.
It consists of local participants, dressed in elegant attire from the Heian period (794-1185), that parade through Kyoto.
This festival has famously been depicted in the eleventh-century literary masterpiece - the "Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu, considered to be the oldest novel in the world.
The Kyoto City Tourism Association will provide paid viewing seats for the procession. A part of the proceeds of the sales will be used to preserve and support this festival.
This year, the "Aoi Festival Audio Guide", created under the supervision of Aoi Matsuri Festival Procession Preservation Society, will be available at all paid seats.
Please also be informed that information regarding whether the procession will be held as scheduled or postponed will be announced around 6 PM on the day before the event.
1. Sales will begin at:
10 AM (Japan Standard Time) on April 8 (Tue), 2025
2. Number of seats:
⑴ Kyoto Imperial Palace: approx. 6,600 seats (south side of the Kenreimon Gate)
⑵ Approach to Shimogamo-jinja Shrine: approx. 500 seats (front approach)
⑶ Total: approx. 7,100 seats
*The number of seats for sale may change depending on the number of tickets sold.
3. Locations of viewing seats
4. Prices
(All seats are reserved and come with the official guidebook, audioguide and a commemorative card. Tax included.)
| Seat type | Price | Remarks |
| Regular seat (Front row) | ¥5,500 | |
| Regular seat （2nd row onwards) | ¥4,000 | |
| "Royal seat" | ¥20,500 | Includes commentary in Japanese/English by a dedicated narrator, a commemorative fan, a hollyhock hat (aoi katsura) and a tote bag |
5. How to purchase
⑴ Internet
•Website for purchase in English
•Ticket PIA
*Link to the ticket page will become available soon.
*Link to the ticket page will become available soon.
(2) Convenience stores
•Seven-Eleven (P-code : 656 - 555)
*Various fees may apply depending on the payment method.
•Seven-Eleven (P-code : 656 - 555)
*Various fees may apply depending on the payment method.
6. Advisory notes
•Using hats, etc. to avoid the heat of sun is recommended.
•The use of parasols, umbrellas, and tripods will not be allowed in the viewing seats, as it may block the views of others.
•Please bring a raincoat in case it begins to rain during the event.
•Flashing photography and accompanying pets are prohibited due to the possibility of oxen and horses running loose.
•In case of rain, the procession will be postponed to May 16th(The decision is to be made around 18pm on the day before.)
•This ticket is non-refundable unless the festival itself is canceled. Refunds will only be processed at the point of purchase. Ticket issuance fees and delivery charges related to payment transactions are non-refundable.
•Please be aware that the number of restrooms may not be sufficient.
•Please follow the instructions of the staff. Failure to comply will result in forced removal from the premises. In such cases, there will be no refund of tickets or any other compensations.
•Please note that Kyoto City Tourism Association cannot accept any responsibility for damages that occur within the seating area.
7. Commemorative goods
⑴ Official Aoi Matsuri guidebook
This guidebook contains detailed illustrations of the procession, the court attire, and the ritual implements, accompanied by explanations about each role of the participants. Viewers can use it to deepen their understanding of the festival. (Size B5, 18 pages)
⑵ Commemorative card
A card commemorating the viewing of the Aoi Matsuri procession.
It is illustrated with the festival’s namesake plant, the two-leaf aoi (hollyhock), and a scene of the procession, painted by Yasukawa Nyofu, a painter for shrines and temples who has been recognized as a Master Craftsperson of Kyoto.
It is illustrated with the festival’s namesake plant, the two-leaf aoi (hollyhock), and a scene of the procession, painted by Yasukawa Nyofu, a painter for shrines and temples who has been recognized as a Master Craftsperson of Kyoto.
(3) Aoi Matsuri Festival Audio Guide
Together with on the trip Co., Ltd. - a company developing and operating the "ON THE TRIP" travel audio guide app, and under the supervision of the Aoi Matsuri Festival Procession Preservation Society, we have created an audio guide for the Aoi Matsuri Festival. Enjoy viewing the procession while listening to its commentary on your smartphone or other device.
*The audio guide introduction is free, however the main parts can only be accessed by those who have purchased a paid viewing seat.
About the Aoi Matsuri procession
Aoi Matsuri is an annual festival of Shimogamo-jinja Shrine and Kamigamo-jinja Shrine that is believed to have begun about 1,500 years ago. It has been depicted in Murasaki Shikibu’s "Tale of Genji".
It is a procession held on May 15 during which people dressed in Heian period-style attire form a procession that walks eight kilometers through the streets of Kyoto.
The festival takes place at the time of year when the new green leaves are especially beautiful.
The festival takes place at the time of year when the new green leaves are especially beautiful.
For more information, see below:
Season ＆ Festivals / Aoi Matsuri Festival
Saiō-dai (honorary priestess)
Konoetsukai-dai (deputy imperial messenger)
About the "royal seats"
Exclusive type of seats located the closest to the Kenreimon Gate of Kyoto Imperial Palace. They are set up on a tiered platform so that even those sitting in the back row can easily see the procession. They include a dedicated audio commentary given in Japanese or English through earphones. Additionally, a commemorative folding fan and an Aoi Katsura willl be gifted to those who purchase this seat.
Items for sale
Those who will not be purchasing the tickets to the paid viewing seats, or who want to gather multiple commemorative items can do so even before the event. The "Aoi Matsuri Festival's Official Guidebook" (1,000 yen) and "Aoi Matsuri Festival's Commemorative Card" (500 yen) will be available for purchase exclusively at the Kyoto Tourist Information Center "Kyo-Navi".Sales start from: April 12th (Sat), 2025 *Sales end when all items have been sold out.
Sales location: Kyoto Tourism Information Center "Kyo-Navi" (JR Kyoto Station Building, 2nd floor)
Business hours: 8:30 am - 7:00 pm