October is one of the best months for visiting this ancient capital. The intense summer heat has completely faded, replaced by cool air and skies so clear they seem painted. The humidity drops, making long temple strolls a pure pleasure. But the real magic? October is absolutely packed with incredible events that you just won’t see at any other time of year! We’re talking about everything from grand historical parades with thousands of costumed performers and intimate fire festivals that light up the mountain villages, to cutting-edge art and delicious food events celebrating the best of autumn flavors. So, pull up your calendar, grab a warm drink, and let’s map out your ultimate autumn trip. Trust me, this is a month you won’t want to miss!
Actors practicing their play – Photo Credit: New Africa
Kyoto Experiment: International Performing Arts Festival
If you want to see a completely different side of Kyoto, check out the Kyoto Experiment. This is a major international performing arts festival that has been held in the city since 2010. It brings together daring artists from Japan and around the world to present work that includes all kinds of art forms, including theater, dance, music, and visual art. The festival is dedicated to creating new ideas and starting conversations through experimental performances. It features three main programs: “Kansai Studies” (check the program here), “Shows,” and “Super Knowledge for the Future.” It’s the perfect event for anyone looking for something modern, thought-provoking, and truly unique.
Date: October 3rd – 25th
Time: Varies by event
Admission: ¥0 – ¥8,500 (varies by event)
Address: Various venues across Kyoto (check the website for details)
Website: https://kyoto-ex.jp/en/
Kishida Shigeru and Sato Masafumi, members of the band Quruli – Photo Credit: Quruli
Kyoto Music Expo (Kyoto Onpaku)
If you love live music and care about the planet, this is the festival for you! The Kyoto Music Expo takes place over two days at Umekoji Park. It was started in 2007 by a famous Kyoto band called Quruli, who will be playing on both days along with many other artists from Japan (click here for more info on them). This year is extra special because it’s the festival’s 20th anniversary. What makes this festival unique is its strong focus on caring for the environment. They run a project that turns leftover food from the event into healthy soil for the park’s grass and plants. They are also running a crowdfunding campaign to help with this environmental work, and supporters can get special merchandise like official T-shirts and tote bags featuring artwork by a popular manga artist. It’s a fun and thoughtful way to enjoy great music outdoors while helping nature.
Date: October 10th – 11th
Time: from 10:00, (show starts at 11:30)
Admission: One-day ticket: ¥13,000 (¥9,900 for under 22s); Two-day pass: ¥23,000 (¥17,000 for under 22s) *Purchase here
Address: 56-3 Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8836
Website: https://kyotoonpaku.net/2026/ (Japanese)
The new student initiative of 2016: Kyoto Student Fashion Award – Photo Credit: Kyoto Gakuseisaiten
Kyoto Intercollegiate Festa
Kyoto Intercollegiate Festa, also known as the Kyoto Student Festival, has been an annual October tradition since 2003 and is completely put together by students from Kyoto’s many universities; the city has over 30 of them, making Kyoto a true “college town.” The festival draws over 100,000 visitors every year, and the 2026 edition will be the 24th one, with the theme being “Today I find myself loving Kyoto even more.” The whole idea is to help people discover and fall in love with this amazing city.
The day kicks off with a grand parade featuring over 1,000 dancers, marching bands, and even a mikoshi (a portable shrine) carried through the streets. But that’s just the beginning; there is so much to see and do. You can watch bands and singers compete for the Kyoto Student Music Award, or check out the high-energy dance competitions where teams battle it out in front of a cheering crowd. If fashion is more your thing, there is also a catwalk show with both traditional and modern styles. And of course, no festival is complete without food, stalls line the streets serving up classic Japanese favorites and international dishes too. There are also games and activities for kids, so it is a great event for everyone.
With help from the local community, businesses, schools, and the city government, the students work hard to put on a fantastic show for people of all ages. It’s a day full of music, dance, fashion, sports, art, and tasty food, all brought to you by the city’s brightest young minds. The festival even hopes to become one of the “Four Great Kyoto Festivals” someday!
Date: October 11th
Time: 11:00 – 18:00
Admission: Free
Location: Heian Jingu Shrine and Okazaki Promenade
Website: https://www.kyoto-gakuseisaiten.com/english/
Sweet Potato and Japanese Chestnut Afternoon Tea at Hotel Choraku – Photo Credit: Chourakukan
Autumn Afternoon Tea at Hotel Choraku
During the whole month, Hotel Choraku offers a special seasonal afternoon tea featuring sweet potato and Japanese chestnut, two classic autumn flavors. The tea is served in the “Geihinkan” (Reception Hall) on the first floor of the main building, which was originally built in 1909 as a Kyoto guesthouse. The building is a masterpiece of modern Kyoto architecture, blending design styles from around the world, and was designated a National Important Cultural Property in December 2024. This historic space was originally recorded as a British-style “Drawing Room.” making it a perfect setting for the English tradition of afternoon tea.
The menu includes a chestnut Mont Blanc with coffee mousse made with the hotel’s original blend, sweet potato cheesecake using baked sweet potato paste, and a unique sweet potato and chestnut anmitsu with hojicha jelly. For savory options, you can enjoy a croquette made with Kyoto beef, chestnuts, and Ohara-grown Koshihikari rice, along with roasted sweet potato soup that is slowly baked for about three hours. The tea also comes with an aperitif of your choice, scones with clotted cream and jam, and other seasonal treats. It’s a refined and delicious way to enjoy the tastes of autumn in a truly historic and elegant setting.
Date: October 13th – November 20th
Time: 12:00 – 18:00 (reservations required, 2-hour seating)
Admission: ¥6,500
Address: 〒605-0071 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Maruyamacho, 604
Website: https://chourakukan.co.jp/en/cafe/
Dragon festival procession at a Japanese temple – Photo Credit: Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Seiryu-e Dragon Festival
Seiryu-e is a traditional festival at Kiyomizu-dera Temple celebrating the Blue Dragon, believed to be a guardian deity of the east and an incarnation of Kannon (the Buddhist deity of compassion). During the event, an 18-meter-long blue dragon figure leads a vibrant procession with performers in ornate costumes through the temple grounds and nearby town, praying for peace and protection from bad luck. Spectators often chant “Namu-Kannon” together as part of the ritual. This festival is held three times a year: on March 15th, April 3rd, and October 15th, with the procession starting around 2:00 pm and moving toward the Sai-mon Gate.
Date: October 15th
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Admission: Free
Address: 1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862
Website: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/visit/seiryu-e/
Jidai Matsuri in Kyoto – Photo Credit: cowardlion
Jidai Matsuri
The Jidai Matsuri, or “Festival of the Ages,” is one of Kyoto’s three biggest festivals. It takes place every year on October 22nd to celebrate the founding of Kyoto in the year 794. The festival started in 1895, when people built Heian Shrine to keep Kyoto’s history and spirit alive after the capital moved to Tokyo. The main event is a huge parade with about 2,000 people wearing carefully made costumes from different time periods. It’s like a walking history book that shows over 1,000 years of Japanese history in reverse order, starting from the modern Meiji era and going back to the ancient Heian period.
The parade walks about 4.5 kilometers from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine, and you can see all kinds of historical figures along the way, such as warriors, nobles, and famous writers like Murasaki Shikibu. The whole parade is about 2 kilometers long and takes around two hours to pass by any one spot. This day is also very special because the shrine’s sacred portable shrines, which carry the spirits of two emperors, leave the shrine, something that only happens once a year. About 150,000 people come to watch, so it’s best to arrive early or buy reserved seats in advance. This amazing festival is a wonderful way to step back in time and experience Kyoto’s rich history, making it a must-see during your October visit.
Date: October 22nd
Time: 7:00 – 16:00 (procession from 12:00)
Admission: Free
Address: Starts at Kyoto Imperial Palace, ends at Heian Shrine
Carrying heavy flames – Photo Credit: Ugis Bralens
Kurama Fire Festival
Another event held on October 22 is the Kurama Fire Festival, which takes place in the small mountain village of Kurama, just north of Kyoto. This festival is all about fire, community, and keeping old traditions alive. When the sun starts to go down, the whole village lights up, every single house puts a small torch outside its door, and the streets begin to glow. The action really kicks off with a big parade. The youngest kids go first, carrying tiny torches, and behind them come the older boys and men with huge, heavy flames that light up the night sky. Everyone taking part wears traditional clothes: simple sandals, loincloths, and rope belts that hang around their waists.
The strongest men in the village carry a mikoshi, a heavy portable shrine, through the crowded streets to show their power and honor the gods. As the night goes on, people pile their torches together to build a massive bonfire that roars high into the air. The celebration runs from dusk all the way to midnight, and it’s one of the most exciting festivals in Kyoto. It’s loud, it’s bright, and it’s a night when the whole village comes together as one big family to relive a story that is over a thousand years old.
Date: October 22nd
Time: 18:00 – 22:30 (bonfires light at 18:00, torches converge at the Sanmon Gate around 20:00, and the mikoshi descend after 22:00)
Admission: Free
Address: 1073 Kuramahonmachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1111
Kyoto Wagyu prepared for suki yaki – Photo Credit: Suttha Sutthathikulchai
Kyoto Meat Festival
Meat lovers, this one is for you! The Kyoto Meat Festival is a single-day event held in Okazaki Park that showcases the best local beef. To qualify as “Kyoto Beef,” the meat must come from the Japanese Black breed, be raised long-term in Kyoto Prefecture, processed at the Kyoto City Central Meat Market, and graded at the top levels (A4, A5, B4, or B5) by the Japan Meat Grading Association. In short, this is top-quality meat. The festival is a fun, casual event where you can try a variety of delicious meat dishes. The best part? It’s free to attend, and you don’t need to book anything in advance, just show up and enjoy the food!
Date: Late October (TBC)
Time: 10:00 – 16:00
Admission: Free
Address: 他 Okazaki Saishojicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8342
And there you have it, Kyoto in October is an absolute dream! The weather is perfect for exploring, the crowds are thinner than the chaotic autumn peak, and the city puts on a show that’s both deeply traditional and wonderfully modern. From grand historical parades and fiery village festivals to delicious food events celebrating the best seasonal flavors, this month has something for everyone. Whether you’re a history buff, a food lover, an art enthusiast, or just someone looking for a beautiful autumn escape, Kyoto in October delivers on every level. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Japan’s ancient capital; it’s going to be a journey you’ll never forget. See you in Kyoto!
Featured Photo Credit: EvergreenPlanet
