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).
The procession in elegant attire from the Heian period (794-1185) will parade through Kyoto.
The festival is also famous for being depicted in the eleventh-century literary masterpiece the Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu and is considered the oldest novel in the world.
The procession in elegant attire from the Heian period (794-1185) will parade through Kyoto.
The festival is also famous for being depicted in the eleventh-century literary masterpiece the Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu and is considered 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, all seats will come with Aoi Matsuri’s Official Guidebook, which was newly made under the supervision of the procession’s preservation association, and a commemorative card illustrated by Yasukawa Nyofu, a specialist painter for shrines and temples who has been recognized as a Master Craftsperson of Kyoto.
Please also be informed that, beginning this year, information regarding whether the procession will be held as scheduled or postponed will be announced around 6 PM on the day before.
1. Sales will begin at:
10 AM (Japan time) on April 9 (Tue), 2024
2. Number of seats:
⑴ Kyoto Imperial Palace: approx. 6,500 seats (south side of the Kenreimon Gate)
⑵ Approach to Shimogamo-jinja Shrine: approx. 500 seats (front approach)
⑶ Total: approx. 7,000 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 seats and come with the official guidebook and a souvenir card. Tax included.)
| Seat type | Price |
| Regular seat (Front row) | ¥5,000 |
| Regular seat （2nd row onwards) | ¥3,500 |
5. How to purchase
⑴ Internet
•Website for purchase in English
•Ticket PIA
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 raincoats 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 faithful-to-fact illustrations of the procession, the court attire, and the ritual implements, accompanied by explanations about each role of the participants, so that viewers may deepen their understanding. (Size B5, 18 pages)
⑵ Commemorative card
This is a card to commemorate 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 exclusively for this year 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 exclusively for this year by Yasukawa Nyofu, a painter for shrines and temples who has been recognized as a Master Craftsperson of Kyoto.
Notes #1 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 and has been depicted in Murasaki Shikibu’s Tale of Genji.
In the procession held on May 15, people dressed in Heian period-style attire will form a procession that will walk eight kilometers through the streets of Kyoto.
The festival takes place during the time of year that the new green leaves are especially beautiful.
In the procession held on May 15, people dressed in Heian period-style attire will form a procession that will walk eight kilometers through the streets of Kyoto.
The festival takes place during the time of year that the new green leaves are especially beautiful.
For more information,see:
Season ＆ Festivals / Aoi Matsuri Festival
Saiō-dai (honorary priestess)
Konoetsukai-dai (deputy imperial messenger)