Explore the 14 Major Festivals of Kyoto: Experience Traditional Japanese Culture

Hatsumode | January

Hatsumode (初詣) is a New Year’s celebration. People visit shrines and temples to make their New Year’s wishes and pay their respects to the gods. There is also a tradition of writing New Year’s cards or omikuji, which are fortunes written on strips of paper.

During the celebration, people enjoy traditional Japanese food such as osechi ryori, and participate in traditional activities such as kite flying and bon odori. Hatsumode is a great way to experience the culture and traditions of Kyoto, and is an event that should not be missed.

Toka Ebisu | January

Toka Ebisu Festival (十日戎) is a traditional Japanese festival that takes place in Kyoto in 9th to 11st January. The festival is held to celebrate the god of prosperity, Ebisu, and is thought to bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year.

During the festival, people visit shrines and temples to make offerings and pray for good fortune. The focal point of the festival is the Ebisu-dō, a temple located in the city center, which is decorated with colorful lanterns and banners. There are also street stalls selling traditional food and souvenirs, as well as performances of traditional music and dance.

Setsubun | February

Setsubun (節分) is a traditional Japanese festival usually celebrated in February that marks the start of spring. It is celebrated in shrines where people throw roasted soybeans and shout “Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi!” (“Out with the demons, in with good luck!”). This phrase is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck and fortune.

Setsubun is also celebrated by eating special sushi rolls called “Ehomaki”, which are thought to bring luck and health. This festival is a great way to experience Japanese culture and take part in an ancient tradition.

Various temples and shrines in Kyoto celebrate Setsubun, including the Yasaka-jinja Shrine, Hiean-jingu Shrine, Yoshida-jinja Shrine and Tenryu-ji Temple.

Higashiyama Hanatoro | March

Hanatoro (花灯路) is a 10-day illumination event in Kyoto that takes place in Higashiyama in March and Arashiyama in December. Thousands of small lanterns are displayed around the local temples, creating a beautiful sight. The illuminations start at 6:00pm and last until 9:30pm, and many of the temples stay open later for the event. Hanatoro is an event not to be missed, and is a great way to experience the culture and traditions of Kyoto.

Kyo Odori Geisha Dance | April

The Kyo Odori Geisha Dance Festival (芸者の舞) is an annual event held in Kyoto in April. The festival features a series of traditional geisha dances and performances, including the elegant and graceful Kyo Odori dance. The event takes place in Miyagawa-chō, the famous geisha district of Kyoto, and is attended by both locals and tourists.

Yabusame Shinji | May

The Yabusame Shinji Festival (流鏑馬神事) is an annual event held in Kyoto in 3rd May. It is a traditional archery ceremony that dates back to the 12th century, when it was used to pray for a good harvest and protection from natural disasters.

During the festival, archers dressed in traditional samurai costumes ride on horseback and shoot arrows at targets placed several meters away. The event is accompanied by the sounds of drums and flutes, and the ceremony is a great opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of Japan.

Kodomo-no-Hi | May

Kodomo-no-Hi (子供の日) is a national holiday, celebrated on the 5th of May, and is dedicated to the children. It features traditional activities such as kite-flying and kabuki performances. The festival is filled with color and joy, and is a great time to experience the culture of Japan.

Aoi Matsuri | May

Aoi Matsuri (葵祭) is a traditional Japanese festival celebrated in 15th May every year, and it is dedicated to the gods of the Shinto religion. This festival has been celebrated since the Heian period and is one of Kyoto’s oldest and most important festivals.

It features a procession of people dressed in Heian-era costumes, carrying sacred palanquins. The procession is followed by a Shinto ritual, in which participants offer prayers to the gods. This festival is a great way to experience traditional Japanese culture and take part in an ancient tradition.

Gion Matsuri | July

Gion Matsuri (祇園祭) is Kyoto’s largest and most famous festival, taking place throughout the month of July. The highlight of the festival is a parade of elaborate floats, known as yamaboko, which are pulled through the streets of Kyoto by teams of people. The floats are decorated with colorful tapestries, paper lanterns, and various other decorations that represent the history and culture of Kyoto.

Along the parade route, musicians, dancers, and people in traditional costumes perform to the delight of the crowd. During the festival, food stands are set up throughout the city, offering traditional Japanese treats such as mochi, takoyaki, and yakisoba. Gion Matsuri is a great time to experience the culture and traditions of Kyoto, and the festival is definitely worth a visit.

Gozan-no-Okuribi | August

Gozan no Okuribi (五山送り火) is an annual event held in Kyoto in August. The event is a traditional bonfire-lighting ceremony, and is believed to bring good luck and ward off any bad luck.

During the ceremony, five large bonfires are lit on the mountains surrounding Kyoto, creating an impressive sight that can be seen from all over the city. The bonfires are lit in the shapes of five kanji characters, which represent the five elements of nature.

Jidai Matsuri | October

The Jidai Matsuri (時代祭) is an annual festival held in Kyoto, Japan, celebrating the founding of the city. The festival takes place on October 22nd each year, and features a procession of people wearing costumes from different eras of Kyoto’s history.

The procession starts at the Imperial Palace and makes its way to Heian Shrine, where a special ceremony is held. During the procession, people in traditional costumes, including samurai, court nobles, and geishas, walk through the streets accompanied by musicians playing traditional instruments.

The festival is a great opportunity to experience the history of Kyoto and is an event that should not be missed. It begins in the morning with the mikoshi (portable shrines) brought out of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, followed by the costume procession, and ending with the mikoshi being carried to the Heian Shrine. Along the parade route, food stands are set up offering traditional Japanese treats such as mochi, takoyaki, and yakisoba. Jidai Matsuri is a great way to experience the culture and traditions of Japan, and is definitely worth a visit.

Kurama no Hi Matsuri | October

In addition, Kurama no Himatsuri (鞍馬の火祭り) is a festival held in the mountain village of Kurama, just outside of Kyoto. It is celebrated in October and features a procession of people in traditional costumes, carrying portable shrines and lanterns.

After the procession, the shrines and lanterns are set afloat on the river, creating a beautiful sight as they drift downstream. The festival is said to bring good luck and is a great opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of the mountain village of Kurama.

Autumn Foliage | November

The Autumn Foliage season in Kyoto is a sight to behold!

Every year, from late October to early December, the city is transformed into a beautiful kaleidoscope of red, orange, and yellow as the leaves of the maple, ginkgo, and zelkova trees in the city’s parks, temples, and shrines burst into life. The season is particularly beautiful in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district, which is home to some of the city’s most famous sights and temples.

The best way to experience Kyoto’s Autumn Foliage is to take a stroll along the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, where visitors can admire the stunning views of the city’s mountains and rivers. Another popular spot is the Tenryuji Temple, which is particularly stunning during this time of year.