Latest Events in Kyoto(October Updated)

The Jidai Matsuri, a historical festival commemorating Emperor Kanmu's establishment of Kyoto as the capital in 794, is a must-see for history buffs. This grand parade features over 2,000 participants dressed in costumes representing various eras of Japanese history. It departs from the Kyoto Imperial Palace early in the morning and stretches for several kilometers before arriving at Heian Shrine.

In autumn 2026, the “Zen and Ghibli” , which explores the spirit of Zen through the works of Studio Ghibli, will be held at the Higashiyama Cube, New Wing of the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art.Inspired by the book Zen and Ghibli, a collection of conversations between Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki and Zen monks, this immersive exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience Studio Ghibli’s works through the lens of Zen.Studio Ghibli films often embrace ambiguity rather than drawing clear lines between good and evil, leave space instead of rushing to provide answers, and encourage audiences to accept things even when they cannot be fully understood. These qualities resonate deeply with the core principles of Zen: avoiding rigid distinctions, refraining from fixed judgments, and observing the world as it is.Centered around Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film The Boy and the Heron (2023) — the Studio Ghibli film that attracted the largest overseas audience in the studio’s history—the exhibition explores a worldview that intentionally leaves questions unanswered, creating a lasting impression on viewers. Through iconic quotes, memorable scene photographs, and Toshio Suzuki’s calligraphy, the exhibition brings to life the Zen-inspired perspective that runs throughout Studio Ghibli’s body of work, offering visitors a rich and multidimensional experience.

The Kasuga Matsuri is an autumn festival held at Saiin Kasuga Shrine on the second Saturday and Sunday of October each year, dedicated to praying for good health and a good harvest. Two mikoshi (portable shrines) and five decorative halberds (sword blades), all crafted during the early Edo period, are paraded through the festival. The Tomoe-kaikan ("tomo-kaikan") at the Nishioji-Shijo intersection is a major attraction. The section of Kasuga-dori between Sanjo and Shijo is a pedestrian zone, lined with approximately 200 stalls and bustling with activity from morning till night.

Legend has it that the Kannon (Avalokitesvara) of Kiyomizu-dera Temple transforms into a blue dragon, and drinks water from the waterfall within the temple grounds at night. Therefore, the Yaksha (demon) is also worshipped there. This event is held specifically because of this legend, and also to pray for the well-being of those who come to worship. This dancing blue dragon parades from Okuno to the cobblestone streets surrounding Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The blue dragon is considered one of the four sacred guardians of Kyoto. Besides the giant blue dragon, there are men dressed in traditional samurai attire, and the streets are filled with music and spectacular dances. It's truly amazing! Lunar New Year is on March 15th and April 3rd. Autumn is on October 15th, starting at 2:00 PM (2 PM).

What does that title signify— Is it "Substitute" or "The Chosen One"? The answer remains unclear. Yet, in this long-run tour starting in Japan, I can distinctly feel something different from before—an unwavering presence that belongs to ayu.

It is one of Kyoto's three major festivals, held annually on October 22nd. Its origin is said to date back to 940 AD, when the local deity Yasho Myojin, enshrined in the Imperial Palace, was invited by Kurama. Villagers welcomed the deity at the shrine's altar with countless torches. The festival takes place around Yuki Shrine and the Kurama road leading to it, filling Kurama village with the roar of torches and the brave cry of "Saireya, Sairyo!"

The 2026 YES GOOD MARKET is a cultural market event in Kyoto, Japan, held in Okazaki Park near Heian Shrine, Rohm Theatre Kyoto, and the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum. It brings together shops and creative individuals from Kyoto, Kansai, Shizuoka, and Tokyo, promoting fashion, music, food, and other cultural content through a market format. As an important platform for cultural dissemination in Japan (originating in Shizuoka), this event blends historical heritage, modern art, and local culture, providing visitors with a unique creative shopping and cultural experience. It also features an online shopping mall for consumers nationwide to participate.

KYOTO EXPERIMENT is a festival dedicated to creating and disseminating experimental performing arts both domestically and internationally, connecting artistic expression with society through new forms of dialogue. This year, the festival will present four projects based on the key words from Matsuo Basho's haiku, "Matsutake mushrooms cling to unknown leaves," providing a forum for encounters and dialogue between diverse individuals and performing arts. As an international performing arts festival originating in Kyoto, this project aims to gain a deep understanding of the region in which it is based and to explore this through field research. Led by artists, they will collaborate with local residents, producers, and researchers to continuously research the culture of Kyoto and the Kansai region. The ideas and processes emerging from these activities will be compiled on a dedicated website and made available to the public as an online library. The project aims to serve as a repository of knowledge, a testing ground, and a source of inspiration for future creators and project planners.