| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Year's Day | There is a tradition to pay a visit to a shrine on New Year's Day to pray for a perfect state of health of new year. |
| 3 | Karuta Hajime at Yasaka Shrine | Karuta is a traditional card game. Women in Junihitoe which is ceremonial kimono costume play the Karuta match. |
| 4 | Kemari Hajime at Shimogamo Shrine | Kemari is a traditional football in Japan. People dressed in classic costumes of Heian era show Kemari to public. |
| Sunday near 15. | Yumihikihajime at Sanjusangendo Temple | People compete the skill of Kyudo; Japanese archery. |
| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 2.- 4. | Setsubun Festival | There is a tradition to scatter parched beans to drive out bad luck on 3 February. Setsubun Festivals are held at many shrines and temples. |
| from the beginning of Feb. | Ume; Japanese plum | Ume; Japanese plum-blossoms are very beautiful in February and March. They come into bloom at the beginning of February and the peak is in March. |
| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| to be determined | Hanatoro in Higashiyama | The path in Higashiyama area is decorated by flower arrangements and stone lanterns. Some of the shrines and temples in this area are lit up until 9:30 p.m. so that you can enjoy night walk |
| 14.- 16. | Special Opening of Nehan-e | Nehan means Nirvana in Japanese. This is one of the important Buddhist services of Buddhism. The paintings called Nehan-zu which represent the death of Buddha are opened to public at some shrines. The size and color of the paintings are incredible and worth seeing. |
| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 1.- 30. | Miyako Odori | Famous event in Hanamachi district which Geisha and Maiko perform traditional dance and music. |
| 8.- 23. | Kyo Odori | Traditional show of Geisha and Maiko. They introduce famous landmarks and specialties of Kyoto by their dance. |
| The second Sunday | Yasurai Festival | One of the 3 major festivals in Kyoto. Praying for safe and sound with appeasing the spirit of flower. |
| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 1. May - the end of Sep. | Kawadoko, the riverside dining areas | Open-air dining areas are set up along the river during the summer time. They are very unique to Kyoto. We call them Kawadoko or Yuka in Japanese. You can enjoy Japanese food in a cool summer breeze. July and August are the peak of Kawadoko season. |
| 1.- 24. | Kamogawa Odori | It has a very long history since it was first performed in 1872. Splendid and creative staging of Geisha and Maiko fascinates a large audience every year. |
| 15 | Aoi Festival | Reproduction of the imperial processions in ancient days. Costumes of attendees and ox carriages of the parade are decorated with geraniums ( aoi ) which represents the tradition of offering geranium leaves to the gods. Watching the people in elegant costumes parading through the city is spectacular. |
| The third Sunday | Mifune Festival | The royal in Heian dynasty ( about 1100 years ago ) amuse themselves with writing tanka poetry and playing instruments on the river. This is the origin of Mifune Festival. You can enjoy the traditional play in the old days. |
| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 1.- 2. | Kyoto Shinno | Special noh ( kabuki ) play stage is set up at Heian Shrine. 3 major groups of noh and kyogen perform their traditional and solemn dance. |
| 20 | Takekirieshiki | One of the most historical events in Kyoto which has been held more than 1000 years ago. 2 pairs of monks been held more than 1000 years ago. 2 pairs of monks and 10 cm in width ) likened to a big snake. |
| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 1.- 31. | Gion Festival ( Yoiyama; 14. - 16. ) (Yamaboko jyunkou; 17 ) |
One of the 3 largest festivals in Japan. Various events are held in almost a whole month. The origin of this festival is about 1100 years ago when people made 66 pikes with praying for the end of plague. The highlight of Gion Festival is Yamaboko Jyunkou on 17 which 32 floats parade through the city. Many people also cluster together at Shijo area to see and enjoy the floats and night stands during Yoiyama; 14. - 16. |
| 7 | The Star Festival | The Star Festivals are held at many places and shrines. |
| 20. - 23. | Mitarashi Festival | Praying for a good health with bathing up to one's knees in Mitarashi Pond. |
| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Aug. - 15. Sep. | Ukai in Arashiyama | Ukai is the unique way of fishing using cormorants. It will be an unusual chance to see well-trained and skillful techniques of fishers and cormorants from the boats on the river. |
| 16 | Gozan Fire Festival | This is the most famous event of Obon Festivities in August. Daimonji and 5 other characters are lit on the mountains which surround the city of Kyoto. It is not only religious event for the Japanese to see the ancient spirits off, but also a closing event of Summer. |
| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 5.-6. | Special exhibit at Tenryuji temple | holiday 9/14`9/19 10:00`15:30 |
| The third Saturday, Sunday Hagi | Hagi festival at Nashinoki shrine | 9:00`15:00 |
| The third Saturday ₯Sunday |
Hagi Festival | Performance of noh and koto concert are dedicated to the god. The flowers of Hagi are in full bloom during this season. |
| The fourth Monday | Kushi Festival | Kushi ( comb ) has an important role especially for women wishing to be beautiful every day. It is very unique event to hold a memorial service for comb. Maiko and other women with historical hair styles and costumes parade in Gion area. |
| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Jidai matsuri | More than 2000 people with costumes representing various periods participate in this parade. |
| 22 | Kurama fire festival | 13:30`/
16:00` |
| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 1.-10. | Gion Odori | 13:30`/
16:00` |
| day | Event | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Shimai Kobo | Final Toji market of the year |
| 25 | Shimai Tenjin | Final Kitano tenmangu shrine market of the year |
| 31 | New Year's Eve | Most Japanese eat noodle. |