Aoi Matsuri: a Heian court procession linking Kyoto’s shrines and temples
Aoi Matsuri
The 2026 edition of Aoi Matsuri has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/05/15Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year on May 15 / Once a year
- Location
- Kyoto Imperial Palace, Shimogamo Shrine, Kamigamo Shrine, and the procession route between them
- Area
- Kyoto Prefecture・Kyoto City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Paid viewing seats cost from 5,000 to 20,000 yen per seat. Prices vary by seat type at Kyoto Gyoen and Shimogamo Shrine.
- Age restrictions
- No special age requirements.
- Official website / social media
- Official website
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
At Aoi Matsuri, a procession preserving the atmosphere of the Heian period travels from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine. Visitors can see court customs represented by imperial envoys, ox-drawn carriages, and the Saiō-Dai, as well as rituals held at both shrines.
About Aoi Matsuri
Aoi Matsuri is the annual festival of Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto City.
It is known for a procession traveling from Kyoto Imperial Palace to both shrines, preserving court customs dating back to the Heian period.
The festival’s name comes from the custom of decorating ox-drawn carriages, imperial envoys, and attendants’ court attire with aoi leaves.
The event continues to pass on Kyoto’s history and the festival traditions of both shrines.
Source: 葵祭「深く知る」｜【京都市公式】京都観光Navi
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the “Roto no Gi,” the procession from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine.
Imperial envoys, Kebiishi officials, ox-drawn carriages, decorative umbrellas, the Saiō-Dai, and others form a procession wearing costumes reminiscent of Heian-period nobles.
In 2026, a procession featuring 36 horses, 4 oxen, and more than 500 people was scheduled. It takes just under 1 hour for the entire procession to pass, from the front to the rear.
Source: 葵祭 路頭の儀｜【京都市公式】京都観光Navi
Aoi Matsuri: a Heian court procession linking Kyoto’s shrines and temples
What to expect
The procession departs Kyoto Imperial Palace, passes Shimogamo Shrine, and heads to Kamigamo Shrine.
At Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, the imperial envoy performs the Shato no Gi ceremony, reciting the imperial prayer and presenting offerings.
There are also ceremonial performances featuring the leading of a sacred horse and the “Azuma-asobi” dance performed by dancers.
How to take part
Members of the public can watch from along the procession route or from paid viewing seats.
Paid viewing seats are available at Kyoto Gyoen and Shimogamo Shrine, with different seat types to choose from.
If you wish to use a viewing seat, you can purchase tickets online or at a Seven-Eleven store.
Online purchases require membership registration, and you can buy up to 9 viewing-seat tickets per transaction.
Source: 葵祭「有料観覧席のご案内」｜【京都市公式】京都観光Navi
Location and access
- Venue and address
The procession sets off from Kyoto Imperial Palace, passes Shimogamo Shrine, and heads to Kamigamo Shrine.
- Train and bus
The nearest station to Kyoto Gyoen is Marutamachi Station on the subway, and the nearest station to the approach to Shimogamo Shrine is Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan Railway.
For the Kamigamo Shrine area, the city bus stop “Kamigamo -mae” is listed.
In 2026, special buses will also operate in connection with the Aoi Matsuri.
- Parking
At Kyoto Gyoen, you can use the Nakadachiuri Parking Lot or the Seiwain Parking Lot.
At Shimogamo Shrine, charter buses and private cars cannot park on the day of the festival.
Source: 葵祭「よくある質問」｜【京都市公式】京都観光Navi
Event venue 京都府京都市 京都御所
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 Aoi Matsuri “Roto no Gi” procession was announced as scheduled for May 15 (Friday).
The procession is scheduled to depart Kyoto Imperial Palace at 10:30 a.m., arrive at Shimogamo Shrine at 11:40 a.m., depart at 2:20 p.m., and arrive at Kamigamo Shrine at 3:30 p.m.
In case of rain, it will be postponed to the following day. If it is rainy or stormy on the following 16th as well, the event will be canceled.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Kyoto Prefecture / Kyoto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Tripods and parasols are prohibited in the viewing seats, so please bring a hat or similar item.
Bring a raincoat in case it rains along the route, and refrain from using flash photography or bringing pets.
Visitors are also asked not to bring alcoholic beverages into the viewing area or drink alcohol there.
Nearby attractions
京都タワー
京都府京都市下京区にある塔
京都国立博物館
京都市にある国立博物館
京都国立近代美術館
京都市左京区岡崎にある美術館
京都国際マンガミュージアム
日本の京都府京都市中京区にある日本最大の漫画博物館
京都市美術館
京都市左京区岡崎にある美術館
京都府立植物園
京都市左京区にある植物園
京都鉄道博物館
京都府京都市下京区にある鉄道博物館
Fushimi Inari Taisha
京都市伏見区にある神社
元離宮二条城
京都市にある城郭及び元皇室関連施設
Yasaka Shrine
京都市東山区にある神社
円山公園
京都市にある公園
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
京都市上京区にある神社
Origins and History of Aoi Matsuri
Aoi Matsuri is said to have originated in rites held during the reign of Emperor Kinmei to quell storms and poor harvests.
In 819, it became a state-sponsored event on a par with the imperial court’s important annual rites.
The festival was interrupted after the Ōnin War and during the Meiji and Showa periods, but the court tradition has been preserved.
After the festival was revived in Genroku 7, people began decorating with aoi leaves, and the current name is said to have become established.
Official information
Dates, the procession route, viewing seats, rain postponements, and transportation information are provided on Kyoto City’s official Kyoto Travel Navi website.
Information on viewing-seat sales and precautions is available in the official Aoi Matsuri viewing-seat guide.
Decisions on whether the event will proceed or be postponed are announced around 6 p.m. on the day before it is scheduled to take place.
Aoi Matsuri at a Glance
Aoi Matsuri is an annual festival centered on a procession of court customs traveling from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine.
In 2026, it was scheduled to take place on May 15, with a procession featuring more than 500 people, 36 horses, and 4 oxen.
In addition to watching from along the route, visitors can use paid viewing seats at Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and Shimogamo Shrine.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
