What's on in Kyoto
Kyoto events in May 2027
125 events in May 2027: 76 festivals, 20 exhibitions, 10 gardens, 8 performances, 6 markets, 2 illuminations, 2 food events and 1 anime and games event, from headline festivals to neighbourhood fairs. 43 of them are annual events whose 2027 dates are still to be confirmed, listed with their usual window.
Warm, with highs around 25°C. The Aoi Matsuri procession leaves the Imperial Palace at 10:30 on 15 May, and from May many restaurants on Pontocho's river side build their kawayuka platforms over the water. More on the season in Things to do in Kyoto.
MapKyoto weather in May
- Average high
- 25°C (77°F)
- Average low
- 15°C (58°F)
- Rain
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- about 10
Light clothes work in the day, with a thin layer for evenings around 15°C (58°F). Pack a small umbrella too, as it rains on about 10 days.
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 May 2027
Market Local Vegetable and Produce Market at Kyoto Botanical Garden 1 to 2 May · Demachiyanagi A market of local vegetables and regional produce inside Kyoto Botanical Garden. Garden admission applies. Photo: Tatters ✾, CC BY-SA 2.0
Garden Mountain Herb and Wild Plant Show at Kyoto Botanical Garden 1 to 5 May · Demachiyanagi A show of mountain herbs and wild plants inside Kyoto Botanical Garden across Golden Week. Garden admission applies. Photo: Tatters ✾, CC BY-SA 2.0
Market Spring Used Book Fair 1 to 5 May · Okazaki About 40 used bookshops from Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Okayama sell classics, academic and art books and paperbacks in one of Japan's larger indoor used book fairs.
Garden Rose Garden Walk at Kyoto Botanical Garden 8 to 9 May · Demachiyanagi A 45-minute evening walk through the rose garden at Kyoto Botanical Garden. Garden admission applies. Photo: Tatters ✾, CC BY-SA 2.0
Festival Mikage Matsuri 12 May · Demachiyanagi Three days before the Aoi Matsuri, a procession carries the shrine's divine spirit from Shimogamo Shrine to Mikage Shrine on Mikage-yama and back, with rites at Mikage Shrine and the Kirishiba rite in Tadasu no Mori. The shrine does not say whether the public can watch each rite. Photo: Appie Verschoor, CC BY-SA 2.0
Festival Aoi Matsuri 15 May, dates to be confirmed · Imperial Palace Over 500 people in Heian court dress, with 36 horses and 4 oxen pulling decorated carts, walk from the Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and on to Kamigamo, everything hung with hollyhock leaves. The Kyoto City Tourism Association sells reserved seats, and rain moves it to the next day. Photo: DavideGorla, CC BY 2.0
Calendar
Showing all 133 events in May 2027
115Local Vegetable and Produce Market at Kyoto Botanical GardenEbine Orchid Show at Kyoto Botanical GardenSenbon Enma-do Kyogen+12 more+26 on for weeks214Local Vegetable and Produce Market at Kyoto Botanical GardenEbine Orchid Show at Kyoto Botanical GardenSenbon Enma-do Kyogen+11 more+26 on for weeks315Spring Daihannya Prayer Service at Tanukidani FudoinYabusame Horseback Archery at Shimogamo ShrineSenbon Enma-do Kyogen+12 more+26 on for weeks413Saio-dai Purification RiteSenbon Enma-do KyogenJingo-ji Treasure Airing+10 more+26 on for weeks518Budo Prosperity Festival at Shiramine ShrineFujinomori MatsuriKamo Kurabeuma Horse Race at Kamigamo Shrine+15 more+27 on for weeks63+3 more+25 on for weeks72+2 more+20 on for weeks86Rose Garden Walk at Kyoto Botanical Garden+5 more+20 on for weeks912Imahie FestivalRose Garden Walk at Kyoto Botanical Garden+10 more+20 on for weeks101+1 more+18 on for weeks111+1 more+17 on for weeks123Mikage Matsuri+2 more+17 on for weeks132Jingo-ji Five Great Kokuzo Bodhisattva Spring Opening+1 more+17 on for weeks143World Masters Games 2027 Kansai Opening CeremonyJingo-ji Five Great Kokuzo Bodhisattva Spring Opening+1 more+17 on for weeks157Aoi MatsuriJunteikannon Opening Service at Daigo-jiJingo-ji Five Great Kokuzo Bodhisattva Spring Opening+4 more+17 on for weeks168Mifune Matsuri Boat FestivalJunteikannon Opening Service at Daigo-ji+6 more+17 on for weeks175Junteikannon Opening Service at Daigo-ji+4 more+13 on for weeks188Goryo Matsuri at Kamigoryo ShrineJunteikannon Opening Service at Daigo-ji+6 more+13 on for weeks192Junteikannon Opening Service at Daigo-ji+1 more+13 on for weeks207Wesak Full Moon Festival at Kurama-deraEarly Summer Orchid Show at Kyoto Botanical GardenSatsuki Azalea Show at Kyoto Botanical Garden+4 more+13 on for weeks219Junteikannon Opening Service at Daigo-jiEarly Summer Orchid Show at Kyoto Botanical GardenSatsuki Azalea Show at Kyoto Botanical Garden+6 more+13 on for weeks224Kunpu Gyoten Zazen and Lecture Weekend at Tofuku-jiEarly Summer Orchid Show at Kyoto Botanical GardenSatsuki Azalea Show at Kyoto Botanical Garden+1 more+13 on for weeks2312Saga MatsuriEarly Summer Orchid Show at Kyoto Botanical GardenSatsuki Azalea Show at Kyoto Botanical Garden+9 more+12 on for weeks242+2 more+12 on for weeks257Tenjin-ichi Market at Kitano TenmanguTenjin-san Market at Kitano Tenmangu+5 more+12 on for weeks263+3 more+11 on for weeks271+1 more+11 on for weeks287Narihira Memorial Service at Jurin-ji1000market at Kiyomizu-dera+5 more+11 on for weeks292+2 more+12 on for weeks302+2 more+12 on for weeks312+2 more+11 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.
9 events
Ebine Orchid Show at Kyoto Botanical GardenDemachiyanagi · Kyoto Botanical Garden · 29 Apr to 2 May
Senbon Enma-do KyogenKitano · Senbon Enma-do (Injo-ji) · 1 to 4 MayFreeUsual dates
Jingo-ji Treasure AiringTakao · Jingo-ji · 1 to 5 MayUsual dates
Kunpu Temple Treasures Opening at Rokudo Chinno-jiHigashiyama · Rokudo Chinno-ji · 1 to 5 MayUsual dates
Mountain Herb and Wild Plant Show at Kyoto Botanical GardenDemachiyanagi · Kyoto Botanical Garden · 1 to 5 May
Spring Used Book FairOkazaki · Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art area, Miyako Messe · 1 to 5 MayFree
Fresh Green Tour of Mt HieiOtsu · Enryaku-ji · 29 Apr to 5 MayFree
Mibu Kyogen Spring PerformancesNijo · Mibu-dera · 29 Apr to 5 MayUsual dates
1 event
Garakuta-ichi at To-jiKyoto Station · To-jiFreeRegular market
2 events
Spring Daihannya Prayer Service at Tanukidani FudoinIchijoji · Tanukidani-san Fudoin · 3 May
Yabusame Horseback Archery at Shimogamo ShrineDemachiyanagi · Shimogamo Shrine, Tadasu no Mori · 3 MayUsual dates
1 event
Saio-dai Purification RiteDemachiyanagi · Kamigamo Shrine · 4 MayUsual dates
4 events
Budo Prosperity Festival at Shiramine ShrineImperial Palace · Shiramine Shrine · 5 May
Fujinomori MatsuriFushimi · Fujinomori Shrine · 5 MayFreeUsual dates
Kamo Kurabeuma Horse Race at Kamigamo ShrineDemachiyanagi · Kamigamo Shrine · 5 MayUsual dates
Taizan Fukun Rite and Tango Great Goma at Sekizan Zen-inShugakuin · Sekizan Zen-in · 5 May
1 event
Rose Garden Walk at Kyoto Botanical GardenDemachiyanagi · Kyoto Botanical Garden · 8 to 9 May
1 event
Imahie FestivalHigashiyama · Imahie Shrine · 9 May
1 event
Mikage MatsuriDemachiyanagi · Shimogamo Shrine, Mikage Shrine and Tadasu no Mori · 12 May
1 event
Jingo-ji Five Great Kokuzo Bodhisattva Spring OpeningTakao · Jingo-ji · 13 to 15 MayUsual dates
1 event
World Masters Games 2027 Kansai Opening CeremonyOkazaki · Okazaki area · 14 May
3 events
Aoi MatsuriImperial Palace · Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines · 15 MayFreeUsual dates
Junteikannon Opening Service at Daigo-jiDaigo · Daigo-ji (Kannon-do, Shimo-Daigo) · 15 to 21 MayUsual dates
Hyakumanben Handmade Market at Chion-jiDemachiyanagi · Hyakumanben Chion-jiFreeRegular market
1 event
Mifune Matsuri Boat FestivalArashiyama · Oi River above Togetsukyo Bridge · 16 MayFreeUsual dates
1 event
Goryo Matsuri at Kamigoryo ShrineImperial Palace · Kamigoryo Shrine · 18 MayFreeUsual dates
3 events
Wesak Full Moon Festival at Kurama-deraKurama and Kibune · Kurama-dera · 20 MayUsual dates
Early Summer Orchid Show at Kyoto Botanical GardenDemachiyanagi · Kyoto Botanical Garden · 20 to 23 May
Satsuki Azalea Show at Kyoto Botanical GardenDemachiyanagi · Kyoto Botanical Garden · 20 to 23 May
2 events
Kobo-ichi Market at To-jiKyoto Station · To-jiFreeRegular market
Kobo-san Market at To-jiKyoto Station · To-jiFreeRegular market
1 event
Kunpu Gyoten Zazen and Lecture Weekend at Tofuku-jiFushimi · Tofuku-ji (Daizendo) · 22 to 23 MayFreeUsual dates
2 events
Saga MatsuriArashiyama · Otabisho in front of Seiryo-ji and the Saga-Arashiyama area · 23 MayFreeUsual dates
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
Narihira Memorial Service at Jurin-jiRakusai · Jurin-ji · 28 May
1000market at Kiyomizu-deraHigashiyama · Kiyomizu-deraFreeRegular market
Nothing matches these filters. Clear one and try again.
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
30 long runs, such as exhibitions and illuminations: on for more than a week, so shown once instead of every day.
Maruyama Okyo and Ito JakuchuImperial Palace · Shokoku-ji Jotenkaku Museum · 17 Oct to 20 Jun
Timeless Code: Contemporary and EdoArashiyama · Fukuda Art Museum · 30 Jan to 6 Jun
Ninja Show NARUTO at MinamizaGion · Minamiza · 1 Feb to 30 Jun
Thinking Sculptors: Raphaël Zarka and Horiuchi MasakazuOkazaki · Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Higashiyama Cube · 6 Feb to 5 May
Tenryu-ji Hatto Cloud Dragon Painting Spring OpeningArashiyama · Tenryu-ji · 1 Mar to 31 MayUsual dates
Silk Beauty, Weaving Skill: Yamaguchi Itaro and the Tale of Genji Brocade Handscroll (working title)Okazaki · Hosomi Museum of Art · 6 Mar to 9 May
Spring Special Opening at Kogen-jiArashiyama · Kogen-ji (Tenryu-ji sub-temple) · 13 Mar to 16 May
Spring Jusan-mairi Rite at Horin-jiArashiyama · Horin-ji · 13 Mar to 13 May
Flower Ceiling Spring Opening at Hiraoka HachimanguKinkakuji · Hiraoka Hachimangu · 13 Mar to 6 May
Spring Night Viewing at Kodai-jiGion · Kodai-ji · 13 Mar to 6 MayUsual dates
To-ji Treasure Hall Spring OpeningKyoto Station · To-ji · 20 Mar to 25 MayUsual dates
Daigo-ji Reihokan Spring ExhibitionDaigo · Daigo-ji Reihokan · 20 Mar to 6 MayUsual dates
Ginkaku-ji Spring Special Viewing of the TogudoGinkakuji · Ginkaku-ji · 20 Mar to 6 MayUsual dates
Shokoku-ji Spring Special OpeningImperial Palace · Shokoku-ji · 25 Mar to 2 JunUsual dates
Omuro Flower Festival at Ninna-jiKinkakuji · Ninna-ji · 27 Mar to 6 MayUsual dates
Azalea Gardens at Mimuroto-jiUji · Mimuroto-ji · 10 Apr to 9 May
Ruriko-in Spring OpeningYase · Ruriko-in · 15 Apr to 31 MayUsual dates
Fudo Taisai at Sanzen-inOhara · Sanzen-in · 17 Apr to 16 MayUsual dates
KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival 2027Shijo-Karasuma · Venues across Kyoto · 17 Apr to 16 May
Nijo Castle Wall Paintings Original Display (Spring)Nijo · Nijo Castle Shoheki-ga Exhibition and Storage Hall · 20 Apr to 31 MayUsual dates
Spring Special Opening at Mibu-deraNijo · Mibu-dera · 24 Apr to 5 May
To-ji Pagoda First Floor OpeningKyoto Station · To-ji · 25 Apr to 25 MayUsual dates
Matsuo MatsuriArashiyama · Matsuo Taisha · 25 Apr to 16 MayFreeUsual dates
Fresh Green Light-up at To-jiKyoto Station · To-ji · 28 Apr to 10 MayUsual dates
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
Kamogawa OdoriKawaramachi · Pontocho Kaburenjo · 5 to 22 MayUsual dates
World Masters Games 2027 Kansai in KyotoNishikyogoku · Takebishi Stadium Kyoto, Nisshin Denki Arena Kyoto, Kyoto Budo Center, StandOut KYOTO and Kyoto Terrsa · 14 to 30 May
Gilbert & GeorgeOkazaki · Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Higashiyama Cube · 26 May to 29 Aug
Hydrangea Garden at Mimuroto-jiUji · Mimuroto-ji · 29 May to 4 Jul
Planning a trip in May
National holidays in May 2027:
- Monday 3 May Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日)
- Tuesday 4 May Greenery Day (みどりの日)
- Wednesday 5 May Children's Day (こどもの日)
Holidays from the Cabinet Office's list of national holidays.
The calendar above lists 125 events in May 2027, and it's updated every week. Where to stay in Kyoto compares the main areas.
More things to do in Kyoto in May
Beyond the dated events, here's what the season brings and which guides cover May.
At their best in May
Also worth a look
Good to know
What is on in Kyoto in May 2027?
There are 125 events listed for May 2027 (76 festivals, 20 exhibitions, 10 gardens, 8 performances, 6 markets, 2 illuminations, 2 food events and 1 anime and games event). The big dates are Local Vegetable and Produce Market at Kyoto Botanical Garden (1 to 2 May), Mountain Herb and Wild Plant Show at Kyoto Botanical Garden (1 to 5 May), Spring Used Book Fair (1 to 5 May), Rose Garden Walk at Kyoto Botanical Garden (8 to 9 May), Mikage Matsuri (12 May) and Aoi Matsuri (15 May, dates to be confirmed). 82 have confirmed dates and 43 are annual events whose exact 2027 dates are still to be announced, shown with the usual window. Every listing links to the interactive map.
What's on in Kyoto during Golden Week 2027?
Golden Week is the run of national holidays from Showa Day (29 April) to Children's Day (5 May). 26 listed events are on during it, among them Miyako Odori (1 to 30 Apr), Azalea Gardens at Mimuroto-ji (10 Apr to 9 May), Spring Special Opening at Mibu-dera (24 Apr to 5 May), Fresh Green Light-up at To-ji (28 Apr to 10 May, dates to be confirmed) and Fresh Green Tour of Mt Hiei (29 Apr to 5 May).
What's the weather like in Kyoto in May?
In May Kyoto averages a high of 25°C (77°F) and a low of 15°C (58°F), with 151 mm of rain on about 10 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 May 2027?
23 festivals are listed for May 2027, among them Fresh Green Tour of Mt Hiei (29 Apr to 5 May), Imahie Festival (9 May), Mikage Matsuri (12 May), Aoi Matsuri (15 May, dates to be confirmed) and Narihira Memorial Service at Jurin-ji (28 May). Smaller local festivals are under Around the neighbourhoods, further down the page.
Are there free events in Kyoto in May 2027?
Yes. 19 of the 125 events listed for May 2027 are free to attend, including Matsuo Matsuri (25 Apr to 16 May, dates to be confirmed), Fresh Green Tour of Mt Hiei (29 Apr to 5 May) and Aoi Matsuri (15 May, dates to be confirmed).
Is May a good time to visit Kyoto?
Warm, with highs around 25°C. The Aoi Matsuri procession leaves the Imperial Palace at 10:30 on 15 May, and from May many restaurants on Pontocho's river side build their kawayuka platforms over the water.
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.