Your Guide to Aoi Matsuri, Kyoto's thousand‑year‑old Spring Spectacle

A drummer strikes the first beat and ox‑drawn carriages creak forward. This is Aoi Matsuri (“Hollyhock Festival”)—one of Kyoto’s three great processions and arguably its most elegant.

Why the fuss over a leaf?

Records trace the festival back more than 1 500 years, when emperors sent envoys to the Kamo Shrines to placate restless deities and secure good harvests. The hollyhock (aoi) leaf became the ritual talisman, pinned to oxcarts, parasols and even nobles’ hairpieces. That icon survives today, making Aoi Matsuri a living time capsule.

2025 at a glance

• Date: Thursday, 15 May 2025 (postponed to 16 May in case of heavy rain)(JapanTravel, kyoto.tourism-pg.com)

• Main procession: departs Kenreimon Gate, Kyoto Imperial Palace, 10:30 a.m.; pauses at Shimogamo Shrine, 11:15 a.m. for Shinto rites; reaches Kamigamo Shrine, ~3:30 p.m. for the finale. The route covers roughly 8 km at a stately 4 km/h pace.(Japan Guide, Japan Cheapo)

• Cast: about 500 participants, 36 horses, two oxcarts, and one star attraction—the Saio‑dai, a young woman chosen to play the role of imperial high priestess, borne through the streets in a roofed palanquin.

Viewing options: free kerbside or royal‑box comfort

Spot	Pros	Cons	How early to claim?
Imperial Palace Kenreimon Gate	Dramatic ceremonial start, wide gravel for photos	Morning sun in your eyes	08:00 for front row
Marutamachi Bridge (Kamo River)	Procession funnels onto bridge—great for portraits	No shade, narrow pavements	09:00
Reserved seats at Imperial Palace & Shimogamo	Numbered chairs, English audio guide, unobstructed view	From ¥2 500–¥5 500; must pre‑book	Ticket holders seated by 09:45

Tickets went on sale via the Kyoto City Tourism Association in March and were still available at time of writing, but the central blocks often sell out by Golden Week.

Beyond the parade - satellite rituals worth the detour

• Yabusame Shinji (3 May): horseback archery at Shimogamo Shrine.

• Busha Shinji (5 May): ceremonial archery contest on the wide palace lawns.

• Mikage Matsuri (12 May): portable shrines escort the deities from the hills into town, accompanied by kagura dancing.

  
  

If your flights allow, putting one of these smaller events into your itinerary will be well worth it!

Travelling from Ireland

Leg	Typical Route	Notes
Dublin → Osaka/Kansai (KIX)	One‑stop via Doha, Dubai or Helsinki; 15–17 hrs	Osaka is 75 min from Kyoto by direct Haruka airport express
KIX → Kyoto Station	Haruka covered by Japan Rail Pass; ¥3 430 single if purchased locally	Reserve seat to guarantee luggage space
Within Kyoto	1‑day bus pass ¥700 or IC card (ICOCA/Suica)	Parade day roads close—walk, cycle or use Karasuma subway line

Book accommodation now: ryokan vacancies inside Kyoto city shrink months ahead of Aoi Matsuri. If prices soar, base yourself in Osaka’s Umeda or Shin‑Osaka and day‑trip on the JR rapid services (15 mins, ¥570).

Etiquette quick‑fire

• Photographers: step back behind the rope line, telephoto lenses do the work.

• No drones anywhere inside the palace grounds or shrine precincts.

• When the palanquin carrying the Saio‑dai passes, locals bow lightly; feel free to mirror the gesture.

Weather & what to pack

Mid‑May brings comfortable 20‑25 °C highs, but Kyoto’s valley location can feel muggy by midday. Bring:

• A folding umbrella (for sun and sudden showers)

• A4‑size seat pad if you plan to sit roadside

• Reusable bottle—public fountains are plentiful but bins are scarce

• Light scarf or cardigan for temple interiors (shoulders covered)

Making it more than a day‑trip

• Early‑morning Arashiyama bamboo grove before the crowds, followed by river‑side breakfast of yudōfu (silken tofu).

• Evening tea ceremony in Gion.

• Day‑train to Uji (17 mins) for matcha tasting and Byōdō‑in’s phoenix‑topped hall—its copper roof inspired some Aoi Matsuri ornaments.

  
  

Safe travels—or tabi anzen—from everyone at Traveltimes.ie.

All times, prices and availability accurate as of 10 May 2025. Always reconfirm with official sources before departure.