
■ Aoi Matsuri related events at Shimogamojinja-Shrine
■ Aoi Matsuri related events at Kamigamojinja-Shrine
■ Special Spring Public Temple and Shrine Openings
- Jozan Exhibition
- Shokokuji-Temple
- Toji-Temple
- Shoren-in Temple
- Chorakuji-Temple
- Kodaiji-Temple
- Entokuin-Temple
- Daitokuji-Temple Obai-in
- Ninnaji-Temple
- Seiryoji-Temple
- Kogenji-Temple
- Tenryuji-Temple Hogonin
- Hiraoka Hachimangu-Shrine
- Daigoji-Temple
■Spring Light-up
■Kyoto Outdoor Riverside Dining


Please confirm information before coming to Kyoto.
May infomation
Highlights
- Aoi-Matsuri Festival
- MAY.15
- Kyoto Imperial Palace --> Shimogamojinja Shrine --> Kamigamojinja Shrine
Aoi Festival reproduces the imperial processions to the shrines in ancient days .
An Imperial messenger and his suite in court costumes assemble at Kyoto Imperial Palace .
The festival is called Aoi ( hollyhock ) , because all the participants of the parade decorate their costumes 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 ) ---> Shimogamojinja Shrine ( 11:40AM )
- Shimogamojinja Shrine ( 2:20PM ) ---> Kamigamojinja Shrine ( 3:30PM )
- [ Kyoto Imperial Palace ]
- Access : City Subway Karasuma-line "Imadegawa" Station
- [ Shimogamojinja-Shrine ]
- Access : City Bus No.205 "Shimogamojinja-mae"
- [ Kamigamojinja-Shrine ]
- Access : From City Subway Karasuma-line "Kitaoji" then City Bus No.Kita3 to "Misonoguchi-cho" Station,
- City Bus No.9 "Kamigamo-misonobashi"
- City Bus No.46, 4 "Kamigamojinja mae"


The parade is going on...
- Misogi no Gi
- MAY.4 10:00AM
- Kamigamojinja-Shrine or Shimogamojinja-Shrine
This is a religious ceremony to purify "Saio-dai" dressing Heian period costume by the river in the Shrine.
Saio-dai is the main figure of Aoi Festival coming May 15.
In old days Saio was chosen from the Imperial Family, but now from unmarried ladies in Kyoto.
(The ceremony is held every other year by changing shrine)
- [ Kamigamojinja-Shrine ]
- Tel : 075-781-0011
- Access : From City Subway Karasuma-line "Kitaoji" then City Bus No.Kita3 to "Misonoguchi-cho" Station,
City Bus No.9 "Kamigamo-misonobashi"
City Bus No.46, 4 "Kamigamo Jinjya mae"
- [ Shimogamojinja-Shrine ]
- Access : City Bus No.205 "Shimogamojinja-mae"

Saio-dai does the Misogi
* Aoi Matsuri related events at Shimogamojinja-Shrine *
- Yabusame Shinji
- MAY.3 1:00PM - 3:30PM
- Shimogamojinja-Shrine
Shooting arrows from horses on the gallop.

Greatly exciting gallop !
- Busha Shinji
- MAY.5 11:00AM
- Shimogamojinja-Shrine
Archery ritual to purify evil spirits and pray for the success of Aoi festival.
- [ Shimogamojinja-Shrine ]
- Tel : 075-781-0010
- Access : City Bus No.205 "Shimogamojinja-mae"
- Mikage Matsuri-Festival
- MAY.12 9:30AM
- Shimogamojinja-Shrine
Pre-festival ceremony to welcome the soul of the gods to the shrine. Bugaku dances are performed.
* Aoi Matsuri related events at Kamigamojinja-Shrine *
- Kamo Kurabeuma Ashizoroe Shiki
- MAY.1
- Kamigamojinja-Shrine
The horses, which takes part in the races on May 5, are checked for condition and speed, and divided into two equal teams.
- [ Kamigamojinja-Shrine ]
- Tel : 075-781-0011
- Access : From City Subway Karasuma-line "Kitaoji" then City Bus No.Kita3 to "Misonoguchi-cho" Station,
- City Bus No.9 "Kamigamo-misonobashi"
- City Bus No.46, 4 "Kamigamo Jinjya mae"
- Kamo Kurabeuma
- MAY.5
- Kamigamojinja-Shrine
A ritual horse race is held in this shrine since 1093.
- [ Kamigamojinja-Shrine ]
- Tel : 075-781-0011
- Access : From City Subway Karasuma-line "Kitaoji" then City Bus No.Kita3 to "Misonoguchi-cho" Station,
- City Bus No.9 "Kamigamo-misonobashi"
- City Bus No.46, 4 "Kamigamo Jinjya mae"

Kamo Kurabeuma
* Special Spring Public Temple and Shrine Openings *
- Jozan Exhibition
- MAY.25 - MAY.27
- Shisendo Temple
Shisendo Temple was built by Ishikawa Jozan, a renowned poet and scholar in the Edo period.
Exhibition of articles left by Jozan.
¥500
- [ Shisendo Temple ]
- Tel : 075-781-2954
- Access : City Bus No.5 "Ichijoji Sagarimatsucho"
- Special Opening
- MAR.24 - JUN.4
- Shokokuji Temple
Some parts of the temple, which are usually not open to the public, are on view.
¥800
- [ Shokokuji Temple ]
- Tel : 075-231-0301
- Access : City Subway Karasuma-line, "Imadegawa" Station
- Treasury Opening
- MAR.20 - MAY.25
- Toji Temple
An unrivalled collection of national treasures are open to the public.
¥500
- [ Toji Temple ]
- Tel : 075-691-3325
- Access : Kintetsu Railway "Toji" Station , 15min. walk from JR "Kyoto" station
- Kobun-tei Special Opening
- MAR.20 - MAY.5 ( only on Sat.,Sun.,and holiday )
- Shoren-in Temple
Special opening of the Kobun-tei (tea ceremony room), and formal tea ceremony.
¥1,000 + entrance fee ¥500
- [ Shoren-in Temple ]
- Tel : 075-561-2345
- Access : City bus No. 5, 100, 32, 46 "Jingu-michi"
- Special Opening
- APR.1 -MAY.10
- Chorakuji Temple
Treasures related to Kenrei Monin.
¥650
- [ Chorakuji Temple ]
- Tel : 075-561-0589
- Access : City Bus No.206, 100, 207, 201, 202, 203 "Gion"
- Special Opening
- Early MAR. - MAY.5(not fixed yet)
- Kodaiji Temple
Scroll and sliding door paintings.
¥600
- [ Kodaiji Temple ]
- Tel : 075-561-9966
- Access : City Bus No. 206, 100, 202, 207 "Higashiyama Yasui"
- Special Opening
- Early MAR. - MAY.5(not fixed yet)
- Entoku-in Temple
Sliding door paintings.
¥500
- [ Entoku-in Temple ]
- Tel : 075-525-0101
- Access : City Bus No. 206, 100, 202, 207 "Higashiyama Yasui"
- Special Opening
- Mid MAR. - Late MAY.
- Obai-in Temple ( Sub temple of Daitokuji )
Karesansui, dry landscape gardens
¥600
- For more information :Kyotoshunju jimukyoku
- Tel : 075-231-7015
- Access : City Bus No.101, 205, 206, 204 "Daitokuji-mae"
- Treasury Opening
- APR.1 - Late MAY. (not fixed yet)
- Ninna-ji Temple
Important national treasures.
¥500
- [ Ninnaji Temple ]
- Tel : 075-461-1155
- Access : City Bus No. 26 or JR Bus "Omuro Ninnaji"
- Treasury Opening
- APR.1 - MAY.31
- Seiryoji Temple
Important Buddha statues etc.
¥400
¥700 ( including main hall )
- [ Seiryoji Temple ]
- Tel : 075-861-0343
- Access : City Bus No. 28, 91 "Saga Shakado mae"
- Kyoto Bus No.72, 81, 61, 62 "Saga Shakado mae"
- Special Opening
- Mid MAR. - Mid MAY.
- Kogenji Temple ( Sub temple of Tenryuji )
Splendid view of Arashiyama from the main hall. Temple treasures and art collections.
¥500
- [ Kogenji Temple ]
- Tel : 075-881-1232
- Access : City Bus No.28 "Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae"
- JR Sagano Line "Saga Arashiyama" Station,
- Kyoto Bus No.72, 83, 61, 62 "Keifuku Ayashiyama-ekimae",
- Kyto Bus No. 73, 63 "Arashiyama"
- Garden Special Opening
- Mid MAR. - JUN.30
- Hogon-in Temple ( Sub temple of Tenryuji )
Very famous Shishiku Garden ( garden of the barking lion ) made by a Zen monk.
¥500
- [ Hogon-in Temple ]
- Tel : 075-861-0091
- Access : City Bus No.28 "Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae"
- JR Sagano Line "Saga Arashiyama" Station
- Kyoto Bus No.72, 83, 61, 62 "Keifuku Ayashiyama-ekimae"
- Kyto Bus No. 73, 63 "Arashiyama"

Shishiku Garden
- Special Opening
- MAR.12 - MAY.5(not fixed yet)
- Hiraoka-Hachimangu Shrine
Unique ceiling paintings of seasonal plants.
¥800
- [ Hiraoka-Hachimangu Shrine ]
- Tel : 075-871-2084
- Access : JR Bus "Hiraoka-Hachiman"
- Special Opening
- MAR.20 - MAY.15 (not fixed yet)
- Daigoji Temple
Special opening of Sanpoin, Kondo, and Reihokan.
¥1,500 ( for three places )
- [ Daigoji Temple ]
- Tel : 075-571-0002
- Access : City Subway Tozai-line "Daigo" Station
* Spring Light-Up *
- Kodaiji-Temple
- Early MAR. - MAY.5(not fixed yet) sunset - 9:30PM
Artistic night-time illumination is unforgettable.
Night light-up
- [ Kodaiji-Temple ]
- Tel : 075-561-9966
- Access : City Bus No.206 "Higashiyama-Yasui"
- Entokuin-Temple
- Early MAR. - MAY.5(not fixed yet) sunset - 9:30PM
Neat Zen garden enchants the visitors.
Night light-up
- [ Entokuin-Temple ]
- Tel : 075-525-0101
- Access : City Bus No.206 "Higashiyama-Yasui"
- Shoren-in-Temple
- Late APR. - Early MAY. 6:00PM - 9:30PM (not fixed yet)
Night light-up
- [ Shoren-in-Temple ]
- Tel : 075-561-2345
- Access : City Bus No.5 "jingu-michi"
* Kyoto Outdoor Riverside Dining *
Yuka, open-air dining areas along the river, are unique to Kyoto. They are set up during the summer months as a way to dine while enjoying a cool summer breeze.
Here are where you can enjoy the Yuka dining.
- Kamogawa Noryo Yuka
- MAY.1 - SEP.30
- Along the Kamo River, between Nijo Street and Gojo Street.
- Access : Keihan Railway "Gionshijo" or "Sanjo" Station
- Hankyu Railway "Kawaramachi" Station
- City bus No.5, 205, 17 "Shijo Kawaramachi"