The annual festival of Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo-mioya Jinja) and Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo-wakeikazuchi Jinja), and one of Kyoto's three great festivals, with origins about 1,500 years ago. In the Roto no Gi procession on May 15, more than 500 people dressed as Heian-period aristocrats, along with 36 horses and 4 ox-drawn carriages, travel about 8 km from the Kyoto Imperial Palace via Shimogamo Shrine to Kamigamo Shrine.
The highlights are the Saio-dai, wearing layered court robes similar to the junihitoe and riding in a palanquin (oyoyo), and the ox carriages and costumes decorated with aoi-katsura (hollyhock and katsura leaves). The procession is a living picture scroll of the Heian court, and was even the setting for the "carriage quarrel" in The Tale of Genji.
Official information from the Kyoto City Tourism Association (2026). The procession takes about 1 hour to pass from head to tail
Departs Shimogamo Shrine at 14:20. 2026 official information
2026 official information
Whether it goes ahead or is postponed is decided and announced around 6 pm the day before (May 14)
May 3. Shimogamo Shrine official (2026)
Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.
Mid-May is peak tourist season in Kyoto and accommodation fills up. Booking early is recommended, especially in years when the festival falls on a weekend
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PR9.2Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
AquariumKansai ・ Kyoto City
An inland aquarium in Umekoji Park, within walking distance of Kyoto Station. Its exhibits explore Kyoto's waterside nature and how it connects, from the "Kyoto River" to the "Kyoto Sea." With a dolphin stadium and jellyfish displays, it's an easy stop between Kyoto sightseeing spots.
ZooKansai ・ Okazaki, Kyoto
A city-run zoo inside Okazaki Park, home to Heian Shrine and several art museums. In its compact grounds you can see elephants, gorillas, and wild animals from Kyoto's forests. Admission is free for junior high students and younger, and just ¥750 for adults.
ExperienceKansai ・ Uji
A museum in Uji, Kyoto, that displays Nintendo's products through the years and lets you play hands-on exhibits. Tickets are date- and time-specific and must be reserved in advance, through a monthly lottery or first-come, first-served sales of slots that open up. If you want to include it in your itinerary, applying from the lottery 3 months before your visit is the surest way.
Theme parkKansai ・ Uzumasa
Toei Kyoto Studio Park, a samurai-drama theme park that opened in 1975, reopened on March 28, 2026 as UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE after the first phase of its renewal. It is now an immersive park for adults built around the concept of wandering into Kyoto in the Edo period, with the second phase scheduled to open in spring 2027. It stays open until 21:00.
JanuaryKansai ・ Nara
Usually the fourth Saturday of January (fireworks from around 18:15 in the evening, ignition around 18:30)
January–FebruaryKansai ・ Kobe & Arima Onsen
Usually about 10 days from late January to early February (lit from dusk to around 21:30)
2027 (32nd): Jan 29 – Feb 7
FebruaryKansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on February 25 (outdoor tea ceremony 10:00–15:00)
Every year on February 25 (Feb 25 in 2027)
MarchKansai ・ Nara
Every year, March 1–14 (Otaimatsu nightly around 19:00; 19:30 on the 12th, 18:30 on the 14th)
2027 (the 1,276th): Mar 1 – Mar 14
AprilKansai ・ Osaka
Usually 7 days in early to mid-April (dates set according to the bloom)
May–OctoberKansai ・ Kyoto City
Kamogawa Noryo Yuka usually runs May 1 – October 15, and Kibune Kawadoko usually runs May 1 – September 30 (season and hours vary by restaurant). In 2026, Kamogawa Noryo Yuka runs until October 15
JulyKansai ・ Kyoto City
Usually July 1–31 (Yamahoko procession: Saki Matsuri July 17, Ato Matsuri July 24; Yoiyama eves: Saki Matsuri July 14–16, Ato Matsuri July 21–23)
JulyKansai ・ Osaka
Every year on July 24 (Yoimiya) and 25 (Hongu). Related events from late June
2027: Jul 24 (Yoimiya) & Jul 25 (Hongu) (held on the same dates every year)
JulyKansai ・ Shirahama & Nanki
Every year on July 14 (held during the day; Yoimiya offering events are also held the day before, on the 13th)
2027: Jul 14 (held every year on July 14)
AugustKansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on August 16 (from 20:00)
2027: Aug 16 (Mon)
AugustKansai ・ Koyasan
Every year on August 13 (the candle festival runs from evening into the night; the Mando Kuyo-e memorial service starts at 20:00)
2027: Aug 13 (held every year on August 13)
AugustKansai ・ Lake Biwa
Usually a weekday evening in early August (about 1 hour)
September–OctoberKansai ・ Osaka
The September festival is usually on a weekend in mid- to late September, and the October festival on a weekend in early to mid-October (2 days each)
Next: 2026 October festival (Higashi-Kishiwada district and others), Oct 10 – Oct 11. The 2026 September festival was held Sep 19 – Sep 20
OctoberKansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on October 22 (postponed to the 23rd if it rains)
2026: Oct 22 (Thu). Postponed to Oct 23 if it rains
October–NovemberKansai ・ Nara
Usually late October to early November (about 2–3 weeks)
2026 (78th): Oct 24 – Nov 9, open every day during the exhibition
OctoberKansai ・ Ise & Shima
Usually October 15–17 (Geku first, then Naiku). Hatsuhobiki is usually on October 15 and 16
2026: Oct 15 – Oct 17 (Geku: night of Oct 15 – Oct 16; Naiku: night of Oct 16 – Oct 17)
DecemberKansai ・ Nara
Usually December 15–18 (the Owatari-shiki starts at noon on December 17)
2026: Dec 15 (Tue) – Dec 18 (Fri); Owatari-shiki on Dec 17 (Thu)
Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.
Last checked: 2026-09-30
