In 218 daysCrowd impact: Very busy
Aoi Matsuri
Photo: Japanexperterna · CC BY-SA 3.0
- When
- Where
- Kyoto
Aoi Matsuri is the festival of Kyoto’s Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, held every May 15 — a Saturday in 2027. About 500 people in Heian-period court dress walk roughly 8 km from the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kenreimon Gate) to Shimogamo Shrine and then on to Kamigamo Shrine, setting off in the mid-morning. It is postponed if it rains, with the decision usually made around 18:00 the day before.
Calmer ways to enjoy it
- In the afternoon, watch from the Kamo River embankment road between Shimogamo and Kamigamo, where there is far more room than at the palace.
- Wait near Kamigamo Shrine for the procession’s late-afternoon arrival, which is generally less crowded than the morning start.
- Book a paid seat at the Imperial Palace or Shimogamo Shrine for a guaranteed, unhurried view of the departure.
Crowd impact
Expect around 1.5× the usual crowds near the main venue while the festival runs. This is an estimate, not a live count.
Practical tips
- Check the evening before whether the procession goes ahead — in rain it is postponed to the next day.
- Marutamachi and Imadegawa subway stations are convenient for the palace; Demachiyanagi Station is close to Shimogamo.
- Bring a hat and water: the route has little shade and mid-May sun in Kyoto can be strong.
Dates & source
Dates checked against the organizer's official website.
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