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Should you be used to the lively spirit of the festivals in your country, attending festivals in Japan takes you to a whole new world.
Japan’s festivals are not like those of other parts of the globe, which emphasize modern entertainment or the usual fiesta vibe of Christianity. Here, ancient traditions, spiritual significance revolving around the Shinto faith and Buddhism, and vibrant community participation coincide with nature, the seasons, and history.
Kyoto is a testament to the uniqueness of Japanese festivals. From street parades teeming with vitality to those that honor centuries-old rituals in this city, you will have more reasons to keep coming back to Kyoto throughout the year. Here are the best festivals in this former Japanese capital.
January: Toka Ebisu Festival
After visiting a favorite city of yours for the New Year, why don’t you catch a plane to Kyoto? Every first month of the year, the city hosts the Toka Ebisu, held at the Ebisu-jinja Shrine. It is for Ebisu-san, one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese mythology. They are the god of prosperity, and superstitious believers say you must attend this event if you want to get rich. But do you want to get even richer? Visit in the evenings when the shrine becomes livelier and raucous.
February: Setsubun Festival
When the Chinese New Year festivities sound so monotonous for you, head to Kyoto, Japan, for the Setsubun Festival, the official Lunar New Year festival in the country, which also marks the start of spring. It is held for three days and features about 800 stalls. This event has been conducted since the Muromachi period, which spanned from 1336 to 1573.
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April: Miyako Odori
Miyako Odori is actually also the name of the traditional dance performance that started in the Meiji era and was held in Gion, Kyoto. However, because the presentation is amazingly beautiful, it has become a full-fledged festival that happens every April.
April: Oka Festival
Cherry blossoms are an icon in Japan and for international tourists, so it’s kind of a sin not to celebrate them. Thus, there's the Oka Festival in Kyoto held at Hirano Shrine, which is famous for its cherry blossoms. It’s also your chance to people-watch, particularly Japanese ladies in the procession.
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May: Aoi Festival
In the Christian faith, the Lenten season sees devotees reenacting part of the life of Christ. In a Buddhist nation like Japan, there’s the Aoi Festival, which is also a reenactment event focusing on re-living the Heian aristocracy’s grandeur. This is also the oldest festival in the area. It’s like watching an Asian historical drama on Netflix!
July: Gion Festival
If you are not flying to Kyoto soon after your first visit and you love attending events, you might want to schedule your trip in July. At this time, the biggest festival in Kyoto, the Gion Festival, happens, featuring several spectacles.
First, you can watch the float parade of Yamaboko, ornamented extravagantly, while Japanese traditional musical instruments play in the background. Gion was originally held as a purification ritual to eliminate an epidemic that occurred several years ago. Otherwise, you might consider dressing up in colorful yukata robes while having fun with street food and beer.
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August: Daimonji Fire Festival
What’s your summer travel habit? Maybe going to the beach or driving to “forever summer” concerts, right? Well, you might want to change your mindset for a while and attend the Daimonji Fire Festival. Several things are happening here as well. Aside from being a summer feast, this is the festival of bonfires that transpires at the peak of Obon, Japan’s version of Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos, as it honors the dead and their ancestors. It pays tribute to the spirits who visited during Obon that are then sent back to the spirit world.
October: Jidai Festival
The Gion Festival may be the biggest festival in Kyoto, but it is during this month that festivals are more significant. Every October, the Jidai Festival, also known as the “Festival of the Ages,” not “Rock of Ages,” is held. Like Aoi, there are also horses on parade here, but it’s mainly to celebrate Japanese fashion from all the major historical periods of the country. It may appear like an experimental festival, but believe it or not, this festival is real, having been held since the 1890s as a response to the relocation of Japan’s capital from Kyoto to Tokyo.
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Japan’s festivals are generally known as matsuri. As you can see, each Kyoto festival on this list is unique, so none of them is like the others. It’s like the rides in your favorite theme park, where every experience is quirky.
Looking for a fun food tour in Kyoto? Join our local guides for the Nishiki Market Kyoto Food Tour, where we will take you to the best food spots at Nishiki Market and let you feast on various delicious dishes.
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