Kyoto City Tourist Association@KYOTO event web magazine　

　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...

　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

　Shooting arrows from horses on the gallop.

• [ Shimogamojinja-Shrine ]
• Tel : 075-781-0010
• Access : City Bus No.205 "Shimogamojinja-mae"
  
  

Greatly exciting gallop !

　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"
  
  

　Pre-festival ceremony to welcome the soul of the gods to the shrine. Bugaku dances are performed.

• [ Shimogamojinja-Shrine ]
• Tel : 075-781-0010
• Access : City Bus No.205 "Shimogamojinja-mae"
  
  

　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"
  
  

　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

　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"

　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

　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
  
  

　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"

　Treasures related to Kenrei Monin.

¥650

• [ Chorakuji Temple ]
• Tel : 075-561-0589
• Access : City Bus No.206, 100, 207, 201, 202, 203 "Gion"

　Scroll and sliding door paintings.

¥600

• [ Kodaiji Temple ]
• Tel : 075-561-9966
• Access : City Bus No. 206, 100, 202, 207 "Higashiyama Yasui"
  
  

　Sliding door paintings.

¥500

• [ Entoku-in Temple ]
• Tel : 075-525-0101
• Access : City Bus No. 206, 100, 202, 207 "Higashiyama Yasui"

　Karesansui, dry landscape gardens

¥600

• For more information :Kyotoshunju jimukyoku
• Tel : 075-231-7015
• Access : City Bus No.101, 205, 206, 204 "Daitokuji-mae"

　Important national treasures.

¥500

• [ Ninnaji Temple ]
• Tel : 075-461-1155
• Access : City Bus No. 26 or JR Bus "Omuro Ninnaji"

　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"

　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"

　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

　Unique ceiling paintings of seasonal plants.

¥800

• [ Hiraoka-Hachimangu Shrine ]
• Tel : 075-871-2084
• Access : JR Bus "Hiraoka-Hachiman"

　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

Artistic night-time illumination is unforgettable.
Night light-up

• [ Kodaiji-Temple ]
• Tel : 075-561-9966
• Access : City Bus No.206 "Higashiyama-Yasui"

Neat Zen garden enchants the visitors.
Night light-up

• [ Entokuin-Temple ]
• Tel : 075-525-0101
• Access : City Bus No.206 "Higashiyama-Yasui"

Night light-up

• [ Shoren-in-Temple ]
• Tel : 075-561-2345
• Access : City Bus No.5 "jingu-michi"

• Access : Keihan Railway "Gionshijo" or "Sanjo" Station
•  Hankyu Railway "Kawaramachi" Station
•  City bus No.5, 205, 17 "Shijo Kawaramachi"

For more information : Kibune kankokai Tel : 075-741-4444

Access : Shuttle Bus from Eizan Railway "Kibuneguchi" Station to the area (15 buses a day )

For more information : Momijiya Tel : 075-871-1005