What's on in Kyoto
Kyoto events in October 2027
87 events in October 2027: 61 festivals, 11 performances, 6 markets, 5 illuminations, 3 exhibitions and 1 food event, from headline festivals to neighbourhood fairs. 30 of them are annual events whose 2027 dates are still to be confirmed, listed with their usual window.
Mild, with highs around 23°C. The Jidai Matsuri procession on 22 October ends at Heian Jingu, and the leaves start to turn at the end of the month, first on higher ground at Mount Hiei, Ohara and Takao. More on the season in Autumn colour in Kyoto.
MapKyoto weather in October
- Average high
- 23°C (74°F)
- Average low
- 14°C (58°F)
- Rain
- 143 mm
- Rainy days
- about 8
Light clothes work in the day, with a thin layer for evenings around 14°C (58°F).
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 October 2027
Festival Uji Tea Festival 3 Oct, dates to be confirmed · Uji Dates are the usual pattern: the first Sunday of October along the Uji River. In 2025 the day began at 9:00 with the drawing of spring water at Uji Bridge, then a tea offering ceremony at Kosho-ji at 10:00, tea seats until 15:00 at the three venues, a snack seat at Ujigami Shrine and an Uji tea tasting contest.
Festival Kaizan-e at Bishamon-do 3 Oct, dates to be confirmed · Yamashina Dates are the usual pattern: 3 October, 11:00. A service marks the moving of the main image to its present place in Yamashina.
Performance Mibu Kyogen Autumn Performances 9 to 11 Oct, dates to be confirmed · Nijo Masked players act out Buddhist tales without a word to gong, drum and flute, a 700-year-old tradition and an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The autumn run is three days over the Sports Day weekend, ¥1,000 on the day and unreserved. Photo: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert, CC BY 4.0
Festival Jidai Matsuri 22 Oct, dates to be confirmed · Imperial Palace About 2,000 Kyoto people in costume from the city's thousand years as capital form a 2-kilometre procession, running back in time from the Meiji Restoration to the Heian period. It leaves the Imperial Palace at 12:00 for Heian Shrine and takes about two hours to pass, there are paid seats in Kyoto Gyoen, on Oike-dori and on Jingu-michi, and rain moves it to the next day. Photo: DavideGorla, CC BY 2.0
Illumination Nijo-jo Matsuri and Autumn Light-up 22 Oct to 5 Dec, dates to be confirmed · Nijo Nijo Castle's autumn festival, with a Kyoto specialty goods fair and other events by day, and an evening light-up and art show in the grounds. In 2026 the night ticket was ¥2,000 Monday to Thursday and ¥2,400 Friday to Sunday, separate from day entry, and free for junior high students and under. Photo: Pom', CC BY-SA 2.0
Illumination Autumn Cloud-sea Light-up at Ninna-ji 23 Oct to 12 Dec, dates to be confirmed · Kinkakuji Ninna-ji lights its autumn maples on Friday to Sunday and holiday evenings, with mist rolling through the grounds like a sea of clouds and music played in the garden. It was ¥2,800 in 2026, free for high school students and under. Photo: josef knecht, CC BY 3.0
Calendar
Showing all 97 events in October 2027
16Onshukai Recital of Gion Kobu+5 more+2 on for weeks25Onshukai Recital of Gion KobuUmekoji Park Handmade MarketUmekoji Park Handmade Market+2 more+5 on for weeks39Kaizan-e at Bishamon-doUji Tea FestivalOnshukai Recital of Gion Kobu+6 more+5 on for weeks44Onshukai Recital of Gion Kobu+3 more+5 on for weeks53Onshukai Recital of Gion Kobu+2 more+5 on for weeks63Onshukai Recital of Gion Kobu+2 more+5 on for weeks73Mizue-kai Recital of Miyagawacho+2 more+5 on for weeks87Mizue-kai Recital of Miyagawacho+6 more+6 on for weeks97Kyoto Ongaku Hakurankai (Kyoto Music Expo)Jingo-ji Five Great Kokuzo Bodhisattva Autumn OpeningMibu Kyogen Autumn Performances+4 more+6 on for weeks1014Mizue-kai Recital of MiyagawachoKyoto Ongaku Hakurankai (Kyoto Music Expo)Jingo-ji Five Great Kokuzo Bodhisattva Autumn Opening+11 more+6 on for weeks114Jingo-ji Five Great Kokuzo Bodhisattva Autumn OpeningMibu Kyogen Autumn PerformancesAwata Matsuri+1 more+5 on for weeks122Awata Matsuri+1 more+5 on for weeks132Awata Matsuri+1 more+5 on for weeks143Awata Matsuri+2 more+5 on for weeks1511Seiryu-e Blue Dragon Procession at Kiyomizu-deraKyoto Pottery Expo (KYOPO)Suimei-kai Recital of Pontocho+8 more+5 on for weeks166Kyoto Pottery Expo (KYOPO)Suimei-kai Recital of Pontocho+4 more+4 on for weeks1710Kasagake Horseback Archery at Kamigamo ShrineKyoto Pottery Expo (KYOPO)Suimei-kai Recital of Pontocho+7 more+4 on for weeks187Suimei-kai Recital of Pontocho+6 more+4 on for weeks194Suimei-kai Recital of Pontocho+3 more+4 on for weeks205Suimei-kai Recital of Pontocho+4 more+4 on for weeks216Kobo-ichi Market at To-jiKobo-san Market at To-ji+4 more+4 on for weeks223Jidai MatsuriKurama Fire Festival+1 more+6 on for weeks231+1 more+7 on for weeks247Kamigamo Handmade Market+6 more+7 on for weeks258Tenjin-ichi Market at Kitano TenmanguTenjin-san Market at Kitano Tenmangu+6 more+6 on for weeks262+2 more+6 on for weeks272+2 more+6 on for weeks2851000market at Kiyomizu-dera+4 more+6 on for weeks293+3 more+6 on for weeks302Autumn Used Book Fair at Chion-ji+1 more+7 on for weeks313Autumn Used Book Fair at Chion-ji+2 more+7 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
2 events
Umekoji Park Handmade MarketKyoto Station · Umekoji ParkFreeRegular market
Umekoji Park Handmade MarketKyoto Station · Umekoji ParkFreeRegular market
3 events
Kaizan-e at Bishamon-doYamashina · Bishamon-do · 3 OctUsual dates
Uji Tea FestivalUji · Kosho-ji, Kyoto Tea Association hall and Ujigami Shrine · 3 OctUsual dates
Garakuta-ichi at To-jiKyoto Station · To-jiFreeRegular market
1 event
Mizue-kai Recital of MiyagawachoGion · Miyagawacho Kaburenjo (Mitsuwaza) · 7 to 10 OctUsual dates
4 events
Kyoto Ongaku Hakurankai (Kyoto Music Expo)Kyoto Station · Umekoji Park · 9 to 10 OctUsual dates
Jingo-ji Five Great Kokuzo Bodhisattva Autumn OpeningTakao · Jingo-ji · 9 to 11 OctUsual dates
Mibu Kyogen Autumn PerformancesNijo · Mibu-dera · 9 to 11 OctUsual dates
Awata MatsuriOkazaki · Awata Shrine · 9 to 15 OctFreeUsual dates
4 events
Seiryu-e Blue Dragon Procession at Kiyomizu-deraHigashiyama · Kiyomizu-dera · 15 OctUsual dates
Kyoto Pottery Expo (KYOPO)Yamashina · Kiyomizuyaki Danchi · 15 to 17 OctFreeUsual dates
Suimei-kai Recital of PontochoKawaramachi · Pontocho Kaburenjo · 15 to 20 OctUsual dates
Hyakumanben Handmade Market at Chion-jiDemachiyanagi · Hyakumanben Chion-jiFreeRegular market
1 event
Kasagake Horseback Archery at Kamigamo ShrineKamigamo · Kamigamo Shrine · 17 OctUsual dates
2 events
Kobo-ichi Market at To-jiKyoto Station · To-jiFreeRegular market
Kobo-san Market at To-jiKyoto Station · To-jiFreeRegular market
2 events
Jidai MatsuriImperial Palace · Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine · 22 OctFreeUsual dates
Kurama Fire FestivalKurama · Yuki Shrine and Kurama village · 22 OctFreeUsual dates
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
1 event
1000market at Kiyomizu-deraHigashiyama · Kiyomizu-deraFreeRegular market
1 event
Autumn Used Book Fair at Chion-jiDemachiyanagi · Chion-ji (Hyakumanben) · 30 Oct to 3 NovUsual dates
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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
10 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
Arashiyama Tsukitouro Bamboo Light-upArashiyama · Arashiyama Bamboo Grove · 30 Sept to 8 NovUsual dates
Konoshima Okoku: 150th AnniversaryOkazaki · Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art (Main Building, South Wing 1F) · 2 Oct to 12 Dec
KYOTO EXPERIMENT International Performing Arts FestivalOkazaki · ROHM Theatre Kyoto and other venues · 2 to 24 OctUsual dates
Shinko-sai at Gokonomiya ShrineFushimi · Gokonomiya Shrine · 2 to 10 OctFreeUsual dates
800 Years of the Shimazu Clan of SatsumaHigashiyama · Kyoto National Museum (Heisei Chishinkan) · 8 Oct to 5 Dec
Autumn Night Viewing at Kodai-jiGion · Kodai-ji · 22 Oct to 12 DecUsual dates
Nijo-jo Matsuri and Autumn Light-upNijo · Nijo Castle · 22 Oct to 5 DecUsual dates
Autumn Cloud-sea Light-up at Ninna-jiKinkakuji · Ninna-ji · 23 Oct to 12 DecUsual dates
Autumn Light-up and Night Opening at To-jiKyoto Station · To-ji · 30 Oct to 12 DecUsual dates
Planning a trip in October
National holidays in October 2027:
- Monday 11 October Sports Day (スポーツの日)
Holidays from the Cabinet Office's list of national holidays.
The calendar above lists 87 events in October 2027, and it's updated every week. Where to stay in Kyoto compares the main areas.
More things to do in Kyoto in October
Beyond the dated events, here's what the season brings and which guides cover October.
At their best in October
Also worth a look
Good to know
What is on in Kyoto in October 2027?
There are 87 events listed for October 2027 (61 festivals, 11 performances, 6 markets, 5 illuminations, 3 exhibitions and 1 food event). The big dates are Uji Tea Festival (3 Oct, dates to be confirmed), Kaizan-e at Bishamon-do (3 Oct, dates to be confirmed), Mibu Kyogen Autumn Performances (9 to 11 Oct, dates to be confirmed), Jidai Matsuri (22 Oct, dates to be confirmed), Nijo-jo Matsuri and Autumn Light-up (22 Oct to 5 Dec, dates to be confirmed) and Autumn Cloud-sea Light-up at Ninna-ji (23 Oct to 12 Dec, dates to be confirmed). 57 have confirmed dates and 30 are annual events whose exact 2027 dates are still to be announced, shown with the usual window. Every listing links to the interactive map.
Where can you see the autumn leaves in Kyoto in October 2027?
3 autumn openings and light-ups are listed for October 2027: Nijo-jo Matsuri and Autumn Light-up (22 Oct to 5 Dec, dates to be confirmed), Autumn Night Viewing at Kodai-ji (22 Oct to 12 Dec, dates to be confirmed) and Autumn Light-up and Night Opening at To-ji (30 Oct to 12 Dec, dates to be confirmed). The autumn colour page maps the temples and gardens.
Which temple light-ups are on in Kyoto in October 2027?
5 light-ups are listed for October 2027: Arashiyama Tsukitouro Bamboo Light-up (30 Sept to 8 Nov, dates to be confirmed), Nijo-jo Matsuri and Autumn Light-up (22 Oct to 5 Dec, dates to be confirmed), Autumn Night Viewing at Kodai-ji (22 Oct to 12 Dec, dates to be confirmed), Autumn Cloud-sea Light-up at Ninna-ji (23 Oct to 12 Dec, dates to be confirmed) and Autumn Light-up and Night Opening at To-ji (30 Oct to 12 Dec, dates to be confirmed).
What's the weather like in Kyoto in October?
In October Kyoto averages a high of 23°C (74°F) and a low of 14°C (58°F), with 143 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 October 2027?
8 festivals are listed for October 2027, among them Uji Tea Festival (3 Oct, dates to be confirmed), Kaizan-e at Bishamon-do (3 Oct, dates to be confirmed), Seiryu-e Blue Dragon Procession at Kiyomizu-dera (15 Oct, dates to be confirmed), Jidai Matsuri (22 Oct, dates to be confirmed) and Kurama Fire Festival (22 Oct, dates to be confirmed). Smaller local festivals are under Around the neighbourhoods, further down the page.
Are there free events in Kyoto in October 2027?
Yes. 14 of the 87 events listed for October 2027 are free to attend, including Shinko-sai at Gokonomiya Shrine (2 to 10 Oct, dates to be confirmed), Awata Matsuri (9 to 15 Oct, dates to be confirmed) and Jidai Matsuri (22 Oct, dates to be confirmed).
Is October a good time to visit Kyoto?
Mild, with highs around 23°C. The Jidai Matsuri procession on 22 October ends at Heian Jingu, and the leaves start to turn at the end of the month, first on higher ground at Mount Hiei, Ohara and Takao.
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.