Kyoto in December brings a quieter, more reflective vibe. With chillier air, softly lit streets, and the glow of year-end traditions, the city invites you to slow down and soak in its timeless atmosphere. The crisp, cold air makes the zen gardens feel even more peaceful, and you can even hear the sound of temple bells ringing with a sharp clarity. From immersive light installations and night walks to festive markets and temple rituals, December is full of unique experiences you won’t want to miss.
NIWA’s Kyoto Oden BAR – Photo Credit: Naked_inc
NIWA’s Kyoto Oden BAR (Kyoto Station)
Warm up on a cold winter night at this special pop-up bar on the Art Terrace Lounge “NIWA” in the Kyoto Station Building. This “Oden BAR” offers a cozy atmosphere where you can enjoy classic, simmering oden (Japanese winter stew) along with drinks. It’s a perfect, casual stop to relax and enjoy a warm, savory treat while surrounded by the station’s modern architecture.
Date: November 1st, 2025 – December 28th, 2025
Timing: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: NIWA
Website: https://niwa.naked.works/kyoto/en/
Admission Fee: Reservation required https://www.tablecheck.com/ja/niwa/reserve/message
Twinkle Joyo 2025 Poster – Twinkle Joyo
A City of Lights: Winter Illuminations
December is a brilliant time for night-time explorations, as the city offers a mix of illuminations for every taste. For a classic experience, Kiyomizu-dera’s Autumn Illumination offers a final chance to see the temple’s famous wooden stage and maple trees lit up in a stunning, traditional display. If you’re looking for a large-scale local event, the Twinkle Joyo illumination (a short trip from the city) features hundreds of thousands of LEDs in dazzling tunnels and festive scenes. For a high-tech nature walk, the Kyoto Illumination Synesthesia Hills at Rurikei Onsen is a year-round immersive event that uses light, sound, and digital projections to create a magical forest. Or perhaps you’d like to try and catch all three? No matter the choice, there is simply nothing better than the dazzling light shows found in Japan’s cultural capital this month!
Date:
- Kiyomizu-dera: November 22nd, 2025 – December 7th, 2025
- Twinkle Joyo: December 1st, 2025 – December 25th, 2025
- Synesthesia Hills: All year round
Timing:
- Kiyomizu-dera: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Last entry 9:30 PM)
- Twinkle Joyo: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Last entry 9:30 PM)
- Synesthesia Hills: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location:
- Kiyomizu-dera: Kiyomizu-dera
- Twinkle Joyo: 34° 51′ 17.712″ N 135° 47′ 51.3816″ E
- Synesthesia Hills: Rurikei Onsen
Websites (Japanese Only):
- https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/news/yakan-haikanautumn.php
- https://xn--6oqz6c35b6zh48ipn2e0ys.jp/irumi/2025/index1.html
- https://www.synesthesia-hills.jp/
Admission Fee: All events require a paid ticket.
A performer in a kabuki mask strikes a bold pose – Photo Credit: Jorge
Kao mise Sogan (Grand Kabuki)
For a truly grand cultural experience, December is the month for Kao-mise (face-showing) at the historic Minamiza Theatre. This is an all-star Kabuki performance where the biggest names in the art form gather for a special year-end engagement. The theater itself, Japan’s oldest, is a stunning landmark in Gion. Even if you don’t follow the story, the elaborate costumes, dramatic makeup, and powerful performances are a visual feast. Maneki, large wooden boards painted with the actors’ names, are hung outside the theater, adding to the festive, old-world glamour.
Date: December 1st – 26th, 2025
Timing: Varies (matinee and evening shows)
Location: Minamiza Theater
Website (Japanese Only): https://www.kabuki-bito.jp/theaters/kyoto/play/895
Admission Fee: Varies by seat (Ranging from ¥6,000 – ¥28,000)
Volunteers serve steaming bowls of daikon from a shared pot – Photo Credit: Daiho’onji Temple
Jodo-e Ritual and Daikon Burning (Daikon-daki)
Participate in a unique and warming winter ritual at Daihoon-ji Temple (Senbon Shakado). This event commemorates the day Buddha attained enlightenment. Monks prepare large pots of daikon radish, which is then served to visitors. Eating this blessed radish is famously believed to ward off paralysis and pray for good health through the winter. The temple’s secret principal image is also often on public display during this time.
Date: December 7th & 8th, 2025
Timing: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Daihōonji (Senbon Shakadō) Temple
Website (Japanese Only): https://daihoonji.jp/annual-events
Admission Fee: Free
Orihime dancers toss good luck charms into the crowd – Photo Credit: Discover Kyoto
Hari Kuyo (Needle Memorial Service)
This is one of Kyoto’s most unique and gentle rituals, held at the Horin-ji temple in Arashiyama. Hari Kuyo is a memorial service to give thanks to old and broken needles for their hard work throughout the year. Attendees bring their used needles and respectfully stick them into large, soft blocks of konyaku jelly or tofu. The event also features a Buddhist service by the monks and a beautiful “Orihime Dance” performed by women in traditional Nara-period attire.
Date: December 8th, 2025
Timing: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Hōrin-ji Temple
Website: https://www.kokuzohourinji.com/events.html
Admission Fee: Free
Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa During Snowfall – Photo Credit: 旧三井家下鴨別邸
Winter Meals at Former Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
Enjoy an exclusive winter meal inside a designated Important Cultural Property. On select dates in December, the historic Former Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa hosts special breakfast, brunch, and lunch plans. You can savor a “Morning Porridge Plan” (Asagayu), a fruit-sandwich brunch, or a “Special Lunch Box Plan” in a beautiful tatami-room setting overlooking the villa’s serene winter garden.
Date:
- Breakfast: December 9th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, and 26th
- Brunch: December 12th and 28th
- Lunch: December 12th, 14th, and 16th
Timing:
- Breakfast: 9:00-10:00
- Brunch: 10:00-11:00
- Lunch: 12:00-13:00
Location: Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
Website (Japanese only):
- Breakfast: https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/single.php?event_id=13045
- Brunch: https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/single.php?event_id=13046
- Lunch: https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/single.php?event_id=13047
Admission Fee: Paid Event
Beautiful set of Kyoto elegant cuisine – Photo Credit: Kyoryori_Tenjitaikai
Kyo-ryori Exhibition
This is a fantastic event for food lovers, showcasing the high art of Kyo-ryori, or Kyoto-style elegant cuisine. Held at the Miyako Messe convention center, this annual exhibition features scrumptious and elaborate dishes from the city’s most acclaimed restaurants. You can see artful New Year’s offerings and extravagant sushi sets, and even watch cooking demonstrations, Maiko dance performances, and a traditional fish-filleting ceremony.
Date: December 13th & 14th, 2025
Timing: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Miyako Messe (Kyoto International Exhibition Hall)
Website (Japanese Only): https://kyo-ryori.com/#section2_new
Admission Fee: ¥800
A worshipper feeds okera sticks into the sacred flame – Photo Credit: Yasaka Shrine
Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka Shrine
This is one of Kyoto’s most essential New Year’s Eve traditions. After a 7 PM festival at the main shrine, a priest lights a purifying fire in lanterns within the grounds. This fire is fed with okera (a dried medicinal root) and okera sticks, on which parishioners have written prayers for good health. The dried root emits a strong, aromatic smoke believed to ward off evil spirits. Worshippers transfer this sacred fire to a “fire rope” and twirl it to keep the ember alive on their walk home. Traditionally, this flame was used to light the kindling for the New Year’s soup or the household altar, but today, the extinguished rope is often displayed in the kitchen as a talisman to prevent fires.
Date: December 31, 2025
Timing: From 7:30 PM until the early morning of January 1, 2026
Location: Yasaka Shrine
Website: https://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/event/shougatsu/
Admission Fee: Free
Sunset at Kiyomizu Dera Pagoda Temple – Photo Credit: Travel Mania
Practical Tips for December in Kyoto
- Weather: Expect cold, crisp days (3 – 10°C) and even colder evenings. Bring a warm coat, scarf, and gloves, as many events are outdoors.
- Evening Focus: Many events start after dark. Plan for earlier daytime exploring (like temples and gardens) and save the illuminations for the evening.
- Tickets & Entry: For illuminations and performances, reserving in advance is wise, especially for popular light shows or concerts that may sell out.
- Transport: Use the subway and buses. Check bus schedules ahead of time, as services may be less frequent.
- Local Etiquette: For temple markets and historic venues, dress modestly, speak quietly, and respect all signage and restricted areas.
Kyoto in December offers a mix of light, art, tradition, and local charm. Whether you’re navigating illuminated castle walls, listening to drum performances, or shopping under temple lanterns, the city invites you to slow down and savour each moment. Pack warmly, wander with a relaxed pace, and let Kyoto’s winter magic gently unfold.
Featured Photo Credit: Shawn.ccf
