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Kyoto Events
Japan is a country of four seasons. This is one of the feature of Japan. The changes of seasons influenced Japanese culture and lifestyle.
At each season, you can encounter different views of Kyoto and our life style. Plase feel and enjoy it!
Kyoto Recent Events
Spring
Spring is one of the most beautiful seasons in Kyoto. The temperature rises gradually, and the cherry blossoms, the national flower of Japan, tell you the arrival of Spring. Many tourists visit here especially during cherry blossoms are blooming. You can see the blooming everywhere in Kyoto! In Japan, we gather under cherry tress, and we enjoy a party called HANAMI.
The weather is warm, so it's the best season for sightseeing!
Kyoto Higashiyama Hana Touro: Middle of March
Around Higashiyama Arae, there are famous sightseeing places. Duirng this period, along the walking path from Kiyomizu Temple to Yasaka shrine, 2,400 lanterns(Touro in Japanese) of six kinds and flower(Hana in Japanese) arrangementsare are placed. And the special illumination exhbits are held at the templs and shirnes along the path. The illuminations are very fantastic. You can experience different views of Kyoto!
-Hokan-ji
Please check Kyoto Hana Touro Guide and Map of the official site.
Kamogawa Sakura Festival 2008: Beginning of April
Enjoy cherry blossoms along Kamogawa(Kamo river)
Small shops and stages are held during the perios and in the night there is light up.
Kiyomizudera Light-up: end of March to Beginning of April
Entrance Fee: JPY400(adult) / JPY200(Children)
18:30-21:30pm.
Nijo Castle Light-up: End of March to middle of April
Entrance Fee: JPY400(adult) / JPY200(Children)
Sunday to Thursday: 18:00-21:00pm.
Friday to Saturday: 18:00-21:30pm.
Kyoto Heianjingu Shidare Zakura Concert: Middle of April
Night Music concert at Heianjingu with cherry blossoms.
Price: JPY2,000 / No seats. Walking around and enjoy music and cherry blossoms.
2008 Miyako Odori (Cherry Blossom Dance): April 1 to 30
Kyoto's famous Traditional Geiko Dance Show at Gion
There are four performances daily- (12:30, 2:00, 3:30 and 4:50) 60 mins.
Special Class Ticket:JPY4,300
1st Class Ticket:JPY3,800
2nd Class Ticket:JPY1,900
Shorenin Light-up: April 26 to May 6
Entrance Fee: JPY800(adult) / JPY400(Children)
18:00-22:00pm.
Mibudera KYOGEN: April 21 to 29
KYOGEN is Japanese traditional pantomimes
Entrance Fee: JPY800 per day(No reserved seats)
13:00-17:30pm. 5stages
Jyonangu KYOKUSUI no UTAGE(feast): April 29
7 nobles in Kimono(Japanese Traditional wears) of Heiana-era make WAKA(Japanese poetry) beside the small river.
YABUSAME SHINJI at Shimogamo Shrine: May 3
Shooting arrows from horses on the gallop.
1:00-15:30pm.
KURABEUMA SHINJI at Kamigamo Shrine: May 5
A ritual horse race is held in this shrine since 1093.
AOI MATSURI(festival): May 15
AOI Festival is one of the 3 kyoto major festivals, and reproduces the imperial processions to the shrines in ancient days.
AOI means hollyhock, and at the festival all the participants of the parade wear the costumes decorated with hollyhock leaves.
Hollyhock is believed to have all sorts of powers, including protection against lightning and earthquakes, and guaranteeing easy childbirth.
-Route of the procession -
Kyoto Imperial Palace (10:30AM)-> Shimogamo Shrine (11:40AM) -> Shimogamo Shrine(2:20PM) -> Kamigamo Shrine(3:30PM)
Summer
The rainy season starts in middle of June till middle of July. And after it, summer come! Summer in Kyoto is very hot and extremely humid, So please prepare light clothing like tanks and shorts. And caps are also needed to avoid sunstroke.
For the visitors, it might be a hard season, but we have the most famous festival, GION MATSURI in July. That is a very old and traditional festival. If you have a chance, please come to see it!
Autumn
The weather changes to cool. When you hear chirping of insects, this is the signal of Autumn arrival.
And in late Autumn, the leaves begin turning red and yellow. The seens of leaves with the background of temples and shrines are very beautiful.
So Autumn is one of the best seasons to visit Kyoto. Please enjoy plenty of beautiful views!
Winter
The weather is at its coldest during late January to Feburay. For the visitors from warmer places, it's might be a hard season. But especially during New year holidays, you can feel a sense of traditional Japan. We have several traditional ceremonies here in Kyoto.
Along the Sea of Japan area, they have heavy snow falls, but in Kyoto we have snow falls only a few days of the year. But if you experience snow during your stay, you are lucky. Because you can see different scenes of Kyoto decorated in white!
Don't forget to prepare warm coats, sweaters, jackets, and gloves.
