Kyoto in May is something special, it’s that perfect moment when spring is still in the air, the crowds start to thin out, and the city comes alive with festivals, performances, and traditions you won’t find anywhere else. From high-speed samurai archery to elegant geisha dances and riverside celebrations that feel like moving paintings, this is when Kyoto really shows off its personality. Whether you’re into culture, food, or just looking for unforgettable experiences, May is packed with moments that make you stop and think, “wow, this is why I came to Japan.”
Last year’s Kyoto Graphie poster – Photo Credit: ArtSticker
KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival
Kyotographie International Photography Festival is a major cultural event celebrating photographic art from Japan and around the world. Held each spring across galleries, temples, traditional townscapes, and public spaces throughout Kyoto, it transforms the city into an open-air exhibition. The festival showcases works from acclaimed international photographers alongside emerging talents, often with specially created site-specific installations that dialogue with Kyoto’s historic architecture and seasonal beauty. The photography festival ends this month, so it’s your last chance to see these incredible works before they’re gone for the year.
Date: April 18th – May 17th, 2026
Admission: Adults ¥5,800 Student: ¥3,000 (TBC)
Address: Across various venues throughout Kyoto (TBC)
Website: https://www.kyotographie.jp/en/
Archer during Yabusame Shinji – Photo Credit: Good Luck Trip
Yabusame Shinji
The Yabusame Shinji is easily one of the coolest things you can see in Kyoto, think samurai-level skill mixed with full-on cinematic drama. This traditional event features archers in elegant historical outfits racing on horseback while trying to hit targets at full speed (yes, it’s as intense as it sounds). But it’s not just for show; this ritual has deep roots in Shinto traditions, performed to bring good fortune and protection for the year ahead. What makes it really special is the atmosphere: the pounding hooves, the sharp snap of arrows, and the crowd’s reactions make it feel like you’ve time-traveled straight into feudal Japan. Even if you’re not into history, this is the kind of experience that’s just plain unforgettable.
Date: May 3rd, 2026
Time: 1 PM – 3:30 PM
Admission: Free
Address: 〒606-0807 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Shimogamo Izumikawacho, ５９
Website: https://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/
Kamo Kurabeuma Horse Racing Ritual – Photo Credit: Kamo Wakeikazuchi Jinja Shrine
Kamo Kurabeuma Horse Racing Ritual
The Kamo Kurabeuma Horse Racing Ritual is one of those Kyoto events that feels straight out of a historical movie, but it’s completely real. This 1,000-year-old tradition mixes fast-paced horse racing with deep spiritual meaning. Riders dressed in elegant, ancient court outfits race in pairs down a shrine track, but it’s not just about speed; the results are believed to predict the year’s harvest and bring good fortune. What makes it especially cool is the whole atmosphere: before the races even start, there are purification rituals, prayers, and ceremonial preparations, so you’re basically watching a blend of sport, religion, and history all at once. It’s energetic, a little chaotic, and deeply traditional, one of those rare experiences where you don’t just watch Japanese culture, you actually feel it.
Date: May 5th, 2026
Time: 1 PM
Admission: Free
Address: 339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8047
Website: https://www.kamigamojinja.jp/en/rituals/kamo-kurabeuma-horse-racing-ritual/
Geikos performing the Kamogawa Odori – Photo Credit: Yomiuri
Kamogawa Odori
The Kamogawa Odori is one of Kyoto’s most elegant spring traditions, and honestly, it feels like stepping into a hidden world most visitors never fully see. Held throughout May in the historic Pontocho district, this performance showcases real geiko and maiko dancing, acting, and performing music in a refined theater setting. What makes it special is the mix of styles: part of the show tells a story like a soft, almost dreamlike play, while the rest is a series of beautifully choreographed dances performed in stunning kimonos. The atmosphere is intimate and polished, especially compared to big outdoor festivals. You’re sitting just meters away from performers who represent centuries of Kyoto culture. If you’ve ever been curious about geisha beyond the stereotypes, this is one of the most authentic (and surprisingly accessible) ways to experience their art up close.
Date: May 5th – 22nd, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM / 2:20 PM / 4:10 PM
Admission: ¥4,000 – ¥7,000 (Purchase here)
Address: 130 Hashishitacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8003
Website: https://en.kamogawa-odori.com/
Geikos at Gion Higashi – Photo Credit: Gion Higashi
Kankame Inari Yomiya Festival
The Kaname Inari Festival is one of Kyoto’s lesser-known gems: small, local, and surprisingly special if you want something more intimate than the big crowds of major festivals. What makes it really unique is the chance to see maiko and geiko (Kyoto’s geisha) up close as they take part in ceremonies, tea rituals, and sometimes even a small procession through the streets. The vibe is relaxed and lively, part cultural ritual, part local street gathering, so you might find yourself sipping a drink nearby while watching traditional performances unfold just a few meters away. It’s not flashy or huge, but that’s exactly the charm: the Kaname Inari Festival feels like discovering a hidden slice of Kyoto’s living culture rather than attending a big event.
Date: May 13th – 14th, 2026
Admission: Free
Address: 347-101 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073
Website: https://www.gionhigashi.com/intro.html
A famous Edo-style sushi meal – Photo Credit: PRTimes
Kyoto Food Expo
The Kyoto Food Expo at Kyoto Takashimaya is basically a dream come true for food lovers, a limited-time event where you can taste the very best of Kyoto all in one place. Held inside the department store’s event hall, it brings together dozens of top restaurants, traditional chefs, bakeries, and sweet shops, offering everything from beautifully crafted bento boxes and Kyoto-style cuisine to desserts and local specialties. What makes it extra fun is that it’s not just about eating; you can also join experiences like dashi (Japanese broth) tastings and even watch or attend talks by Kyoto chefs, giving you a deeper feel for the city’s food culture. The vibe is lively but more refined than a street festival, making it perfect if you want to explore Kyoto’s culinary scene in a relaxed, high-quality setting, basically a “food tour” without having to walk all over the city.
Date: May 14th – 19th, 2026
Time: 10 AM – 8 PM
Admission: Free
Address: 〒600-8001 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Shincho, 52
Website: https://www.takashimaya.co.jp/kyoto/departmentstore/
Gyokei purification ceremony – Photo Credit: Mainichi
Aoi Matsuri
The Aoi Matsuri is one of Kyoto’s most elegant and historically rich festivals, rooted in traditions that date back to the 6th century. Originally performed to appease the gods after natural disasters and poor harvests, it has evolved into a beautifully preserved cultural event centered around the Kamo Shrines. The highlight is a grand procession of over 500 participants dressed in exquisite Heian-period court attire, slowly making their way from the Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines, accompanied by horses, ox-drawn carts, and ceremonial figures. Everything, from the costumes to the decorations, is adorned with hollyhock leaves (aoi), believed to bring protection and good fortune, giving the festival its name. Alongside the parade, solemn Shinto rituals are performed at the shrines, making the event not just visually stunning but deeply spiritual. Overall, the Aoi Matsuri offers a rare chance to experience Kyoto’s aristocratic past brought vividly back to life.
Date: May 15th, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Admission: Free
Address: 339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8047
Website: https://www.kamigamojinja.jp/en/rituals/kamo-festival/
Traditional boats during Mifune Festival – Photo Credit: Kurumazaka Jinja
Mifune Festival
The Mifune Festival, held in mid-May in Arashiyama along the scenic Oi (Katsura) River, is a poetic, visually stunning event. Instead of a street parade, everything happens on the water: beautifully decorated traditional boats drift down the river carrying musicians, dancers, and performers dressed in elegant Heian-era costumes. What makes it feel extra special is how calm and dreamlike it is; the performances unfold slowly as the boats glide past, recreating the refined river parties of ancient Japanese aristocrats. With the forested hills of Arashiyama as a backdrop, the whole scene feels almost unreal, like watching a moving painting. It’s less loud and crowded than other festivals, but that’s exactly the charm. Mifune Festival is all about quiet beauty, elegance, and soaking in Kyoto’s timeless atmosphere.
Date: May 17th, 2026
Time: 1 PM – 2:15 PM
Admission: Free
Address: 1-7 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8385
Website: https://www.kurumazakijinja.or.jp/mifunemathuri2.html
What makes Kyoto in May so magical isn’t just the events; it’s how effortlessly the city blends history, beauty, and everyday life. One moment you’re watching a centuries-old ritual, and later you’re tasting local delicacies. Whether you dive into the big festivals or stumble upon smaller, hidden gems, every experience adds another layer to the story of Kyoto. So take your time, stay curious, and let the city surprise you, because in Kyoto, the best moments are often the ones you didn’t plan.
Featured Photo Credit: PR Image Factory
