What's on in Kyoto
Kyoto events in August 2027
74 events in August 2027: 49 festivals, 6 performances, 5 exhibitions, 5 illuminations, 5 markets, 3 food events and 1 garden, from headline festivals to neighbourhood fairs. 32 of them are annual events whose 2027 dates are still to be confirmed, listed with their usual window.
The hottest month, with an average high of 34°C. On 16 August the Gozan Okuribi fires are lit on five mountains around the city, one every five minutes from 8pm, to send the ancestors' spirits back after Obon. More on the season in Kyoto early in the morning.
MapKyoto weather in August
- Average high
- 34°C (93°F)
- Average low
- 25°C (76°F)
- Rain
- 154 mm
- Rainy days
- about 8
Dress for the heat in light clothes, and carry water when you're out walking.
Averages from the Japan Meteorological Agency normals for 1991 to 2020, Kyoto station (rain table). Rainy days have at least 1 mm of rain.
Don't miss in August 2027
Illumination Mantoe Lantern Service at Daigo-ji 5 Aug, dates to be confirmed · Daigo Lanterns and paper lanterns line the approach for Daigo-ji's service for the ancestors and the spirits of the dead, and the national treasure Kondo and five-storey pagoda are lit up for the night. Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Illumination Higashi Otani Mantoe Lanterns 14 to 16 Aug, dates to be confirmed · Gion About 10,000 lanterns, large and small, light the Higashi Otani cemetery on the hill south of Maruyama Park so families can visit their graves in the cool of the evening, with an Obon service in the main hall from 19:00.
Festival Gozan Okuribi (Daimonji Bonfires) 16 Aug, dates to be confirmed · Ginkakuji Bonfires in the shape of characters are lit on five mountains to send the spirits of the dead back after Obon, from the Daimonji on Higashiyama at 20:00 to the Toriigata torii in Saga at 20:20. Each burns for about 30 minutes, the city dims its signs, and you'll get the classic view of the Daimonji from the Kamo River banks between Marutamachi and Misono bridges.
Festival Gozan Okuribi Rooftop Viewing at Nishijin Textile Center 16 Aug, dates to be confirmed · Nijo Rooftop standing viewing of four of the five Gozan bonfires from Nishijin Textile Center on 16 August, with a talk on the museum collection first. In 2026 it needed a phone reservation, opened on 14 June and filled up, and the 2027 details are not out yet. Photo: Lundariokn45, CC BY-SA 4.0
Festival Lantern Floating on Hirosawa Pond 16 Aug · Arashiyama Henjo-ji's staff float lanterns for the dead across Hirosawa pond from a boat on the night of the Okuribi, and the pond is one of the spots for watching the Toriigata bonfire. A lantern is ¥1,000 at the temple, and there's no parking.
Festival Yoi-kobo Okuribi at Daikaku-ji 20 Aug, dates to be confirmed · Arashiyama Daikaku-ji sends the ancestors back with its own Saga okuribi, a service on the shore of Osawa pond at 19:00 after a short ceremony in the Godai-do. Evening entry is ¥500, separate from a daytime visit. Photo: m-louis ., CC BY-SA 2.0
Calendar
Showing all 81 events in August 2027
18Garakuta-ichi at To-ji+7 more+10 on for weeks22+2 more+10 on for weeks33+3 more+10 on for weeks43+3 more+10 on for weeks53Mantoe Lantern Service at Daigo-ji+2 more+10 on for weeks64+4 more+10 on for weeks75Gojo Wakamiya Pottery FairRokudo Mairi at Rokudo Chinno-ji+3 more+10 on for weeks89Gojo Wakamiya Pottery FairRokudo Mairi at Rokudo Chinno-ji+7 more+10 on for weeks94Gojo Wakamiya Pottery FairRokudo Mairi at Rokudo Chinno-ji+2 more+12 on for weeks103Gojo Wakamiya Pottery FairRokudo Mairi at Rokudo Chinno-ji+1 more+12 on for weeks112Shimogamo Summer Used Book Fair+1 more+12 on for weeks122Shimogamo Summer Used Book Fair+1 more+11 on for weeks133Shimogamo Summer Used Book Fair+2 more+11 on for weeks146Higashi Otani Mantoe LanternsShimogamo Summer Used Book Fair+4 more+11 on for weeks1510Shimogamo Summer Used Book FairHigashi Otani Mantoe Lanterns+8 more+11 on for weeks1613Arashiyama Lantern FloatingGozan Okuribi (Daimonji Bonfires)Gozan Okuribi Rooftop Viewing at Nishijin Textile Center+10 more+10 on for weeks174+4 more+8 on for weeks186+6 more+8 on for weeks191+1 more+8 on for weeks203Yoi-kobo Okuribi at Daikaku-ji+2 more+8 on for weeks215Kobo-ichi Market at To-jiKobo-san Market at To-ji+3 more+8 on for weeks225Kamigamo Handmade Market+4 more+8 on for weeks232+2 more+8 on for weeks242+2 more+8 on for weeks257Tenjin-ichi Market at Kitano TenmanguTenjin-san Market at Kitano Tenmangu+5 more+8 on for weeks262+2 more+8 on for weeks271+1 more+8 on for weeks286Sento Kuyo Candle Service at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji1000market at Kiyomizu-dera+4 more+8 on for weeks294Sento Kuyo Candle Service at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji+3 more+8 on for weeks302+2 more+6 on for weeks311+1 more+6 on for weeks
Day by day
Each event on its first day still ahead, regular markets on each of their days. Tap a day in the calendar for everything on that day.
1 event
1 event
Mantoe Lantern Service at Daigo-jiDaigo · Daigo-ji · 5 AugUsual dates
2 events
Gojo Wakamiya Pottery FairHigashiyama · Gojo-dori and Wakamiya Hachimangu · 7 to 10 AugFreeUsual dates
Rokudo Mairi at Rokudo Chinno-jiHigashiyama · Rokudo Chinno-ji · 7 to 10 AugFreeUsual dates
1 event
Shimogamo Summer Used Book FairDemachiyanagi · Tadasu no Mori, Shimogamo Shrine · 11 to 16 AugUsual dates
1 event
Higashi Otani Mantoe LanternsGion · Otani Sobyo (Higashi Otani) · 14 to 16 AugUsual dates
4 events
Arashiyama Lantern FloatingArashiyama · Nakanoshima Park, Arashiyama · 16 AugUsual dates
Gozan Okuribi (Daimonji Bonfires)Ginkakuji · Daimonji and four other mountains round the city · 16 AugFreeUsual dates
Gozan Okuribi Rooftop Viewing at Nishijin Textile CenterNijo · Nishijin Textile Center · 16 AugUsual dates
Lantern Floating on Hirosawa PondArashiyama · Hirosawa Pond · 16 Aug
1 event
Yoi-kobo Okuribi at Daikaku-jiArashiyama · Daikaku-ji (Osawa Pond) · 20 AugUsual dates
2 events
Kobo-ichi Market at To-jiKyoto Station · To-jiFreeRegular market
Kobo-san Market at To-jiKyoto Station · To-jiFreeRegular market
1 event
Kamigamo Handmade MarketDemachiyanagi · Kamigamo ShrineFreeRegular market
2 events
Tenjin-ichi Market at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano TenmanguFreeRegular market
Tenjin-san Market at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano TenmanguFreeRegular market
2 events
Sento Kuyo Candle Service at Adashino Nenbutsu-jiArashiyama · Adashino Nenbutsu-ji · 28 to 29 AugUsual dates
1000market at Kiyomizu-deraHigashiyama · Kiyomizu-deraFreeRegular market
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Also on dates the organisers post: Heian Antique Market (Heian Nomi-no-ichi) (About once a month on dates the organiser posts, 9:00 to 16:00), Heian Rakuichi Handmade Market (About once a month on dates the organiser posts, 10:00 to 16:00), Kyoto Antique Fair (Three times a year (spring, early summer and autumn) over a Friday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00, last day to 16:00).
On for weeks
12 long runs, such as exhibitions and illuminations: on for more than a week, so shown once instead of every day.
Kamogawa Noryo-yuka Riverside TerracesKawaramachi · Riverside restaurants in Kiyamachi, Pontocho and Saiseki · 1 May to 15 OctUsual dates
Kibune Kawadoko riverside diningKurama and Kibune · Riverside restaurants along the Kibune River · 1 May to 30 SeptUsual dates
Gilbert & GeorgeOkazaki · Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Higashiyama Cube · 26 May to 29 Aug
Nijo Castle Wall Paintings Original Display (Summer)Nijo · Nijo Castle Shoheki-ga Exhibition and Storage Hall · 13 Jun to 11 AugUsual dates
Rin Rin RinpaArashiyama · Fukuda Art Museum · 19 Jun to 29 Aug
Tanabata Wind Chime Festival at Heian ShrineOkazaki · Heian Shrine (garden) · 20 Jun to 31 AugUsual dates
Uji River Cormorant FishingUji · Uji Park Nakanoshima, boarding at Kisen Bridge · 1 Jul to 30 Sept
Cormorant Fishing at ArashiyamaArashiyama · Oi River, Arashiyama · 1 Jul to 23 SeptUsual dates
Kamishichiken Beer GardenKitano · Kamishichiken Kaburenjo · 1 Jul to 4 SeptUsual dates
Tanabata Light-up at Kifune ShrineKibune · Kifune Shrine · 1 Jul to 15 AugFreeUsual dates
Obon Lantern Service at Mibu-deraNijo · Mibu-dera · 9 to 16 AugUsual dates
Sennichi-mairi at Kiyomizu-deraHigashiyama · Kiyomizu-dera · 9 to 16 AugUsual dates
Planning a trip in August
National holidays in August 2027:
- Wednesday 11 August Mountain Day (山の日)
Holidays from the Cabinet Office's list of national holidays.
The calendar above lists 74 events in August 2027, and it's updated every week. Where to stay in Kyoto compares the main areas.
More things to do in Kyoto in August
Beyond the dated events, here's what the season brings and which guides cover August.
At their best in August
Also worth a look
Good to know
What is on in Kyoto in August 2027?
There are 74 events listed for August 2027 (49 festivals, 6 performances, 5 exhibitions, 5 illuminations, 5 markets, 3 food events and 1 garden). The big dates are Mantoe Lantern Service at Daigo-ji (5 Aug, dates to be confirmed), Higashi Otani Mantoe Lanterns (14 to 16 Aug, dates to be confirmed), Gozan Okuribi (Daimonji Bonfires) (16 Aug, dates to be confirmed), Gozan Okuribi Rooftop Viewing at Nishijin Textile Center (16 Aug, dates to be confirmed), Lantern Floating on Hirosawa Pond (16 Aug) and Yoi-kobo Okuribi at Daikaku-ji (20 Aug, dates to be confirmed). 42 have confirmed dates and 32 are annual events whose exact 2027 dates are still to be announced, shown with the usual window. Every listing links to the interactive map.
When are the Obon events in Kyoto in August 2027?
This month's Obon listings are Obon Lantern Service at Mibu-dera (9 to 16 Aug, dates to be confirmed), Gozan Okuribi (Daimonji Bonfires) (16 Aug, dates to be confirmed) and Gozan Okuribi Rooftop Viewing at Nishijin Textile Center (16 Aug, dates to be confirmed).
What's the weather like in Kyoto in August?
In August Kyoto averages a high of 34°C (93°F) and a low of 25°C (76°F), with 154 mm of rain on about 8 days. Those are the Japan Meteorological Agency's averages for 1991 to 2020 at its Kyoto station, counting days with at least 1 mm of rain.
What festivals are on in Kyoto in August 2027?
9 festivals are listed for August 2027, among them Rokudo Mairi at Rokudo Chinno-ji (7 to 10 Aug, dates to be confirmed), Gozan Okuribi (Daimonji Bonfires) (16 Aug, dates to be confirmed), Gozan Okuribi Rooftop Viewing at Nishijin Textile Center (16 Aug, dates to be confirmed), Lantern Floating on Hirosawa Pond (16 Aug) and Yoi-kobo Okuribi at Daikaku-ji (20 Aug, dates to be confirmed). Smaller local festivals are under Around the neighbourhoods, further down the page.
Are there free events in Kyoto in August 2027?
Yes. 11 of the 74 events listed for August 2027 are free to attend, including Tanabata Light-up at Kifune Shrine (1 Jul to 15 Aug, dates to be confirmed), Rokudo Mairi at Rokudo Chinno-ji (7 to 10 Aug, dates to be confirmed) and Gozan Okuribi (Daimonji Bonfires) (16 Aug, dates to be confirmed).
Is August a good time to visit Kyoto?
The hottest month, with an average high of 34°C. On 16 August the Gozan Okuribi fires are lit on five mountains around the city, one every five minutes from 8pm, to send the ancestors' spirits back after Obon.
How current is this list?
Dated events are checked against the organiser's own page, and finished events drop off the page on their own. Annual events further out carry their usual dates until the official ones are published.
Running an event? Add your event and it's checked for the next weekly update.