April is a transition from spring to early summer for Japan. Mild and pleasant weather makes cherry blossoms bloom and crowds gather and enjoy picnics under the trees. Whilst there are warm days in most regions, occasional rain and cool evenings remind us of the end of the early spring.
Despite the unpredictable weather of spring, Kyoto offers a lot of opportunities for trips to do outdoor activities and visit seasonal festivals. The best thing about April is Hanami (花見), which means watching cherry blossoms in full bloom. Also, you can enjoy historical and heritage tours. In this blog, we will introduce several locations and events so that you can get the most out of your Kyoto trip.
Miyako Odori eight scene – Photo Credit: 祇園甲部歌舞会
Miyako Odori (Spring Dances by Geiko & Maiko)
If you visit Kyoto, you should see Miyako Odori, which is one of the most beautiful spring events. This annual dance performance is presented by Geiko and Maiko of the Gion Kobu district (kagai). In 2025, Miyako Odori will be held at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theatre. The first performance was held 150 years ago during the First Kyoto Exposition. Since then, Miyako Odori has been treasured as a seasonal spring tradition in Kyoto. Miyako Odori runs for about an hour to showcase the changing seasons from spring to the following spring.
Date: April 1st ~ 30th (there will be no performance on April 15th)
Time:
- 1st – 12:30 ~
- 2nd – 14:30 ~
- 3rd – 16:30 ~
Address: Gion Kōbu Kaburenjō, 570-2 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0074
Website: https://miyako-odori.jp/english
Admission fee: 4000 ~ 7000 yen (depends on seat and plan)
Heianjingu Sakura Otoyo – Photo Credit: nekodayo19
Heianjingu Sakura Otoyo
Held at Heianjingu, the Sakura Otoyo concert is a great night-time event that should be added to your plans. People listen to Japanese artists’s music while enjoying the Benishidare weeping cherries. The interesting thing about this is that there is no seat. Artists will play from the Shobikan ceremonial hall, and the audience listen to their music near the Seiho-ike pond in the east garden. You can listen to the music of Japanese instruments, such as shamisen and koto, which make nostalgic sounds.
Date: April 2nd ~ 6th
Time: 18:15 ~ 21:00
Address: Heian Jingu Shrine, 97 Okazaki Nishitennocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8341
Price: 3000 ~ 15000 yen (depends on plan)
Website: https://www.heianjingu.or.jp/
Philosopher’s Path and Cherry Blossoms – Photo Credit: Balazs Simon
Enjoy viewing Cherry Blossoms (Hanami)
In April, Cherry Blossom viewing (hanami) in Kyoto will be a precious experience. The famous parks and temples become beautiful with pink petals and draw visitors for picnics.
There are several Sakura spots in Kyoto. Maruyama Park which is next to Yasaka Shrine is known for illuminated weeping cherry trees at night. In the Higashiyama district, Philosopher’s Path follows the canal which is lined by hundreds of cherry trees. The length of this path is about two kilometres long! I recommend seeing Kiyomizu-dera Temple also. A spectacular view of cherry blossoms is overwhelming.
Time: early to mid ~ April
Address: Kiyomizu-dera Temple, 1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862
Website (Kiyomizu-dera Temple): https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en
Admission fee:
- Most parks – free
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple – 500 yen for adults
Oka-sai – Photo Credit: く～にゃん
Oka-sai
Oka-sai, a Sakura festival, has been held at Hirano Shrine every year since 985 for over a thousand years. This is the oldest festival in Kyoto. After a ceremony in front of the shrine at 10:00, the ritual is held at the Mausoleum of Emperor Kazan, who reigned when the festival was established. At 13:00, the procession, which is made up of a portable shrine, women in historical kimonos, priests, and warriors on horseback, starts at the Hirano Shrine.
Date: April 10th
Time: 10:00 ~ 15:00
Address: Hirano Shrine, Japan, 〒603-8322 Kyoto, Kita Ward, Hirano Miyamotocho, 1
Admission fee: free
Website: https://www.hiranojinja.com/home/english-page
Kamigamo Shrine – PhotoCredit: 三日月宗近
Kamo Kyokusui no En
In Kamigamo Shrine, the Kamo Kyokusui no En is held following the style of poetry parties during the Heian period. In this event, authors have to compose improvised poems based on the tanka format, which consists of five lines of 5, 7, 5, 7, and 7 syllables. Through this event, people can feel the elegance of the Heian style of noble living by listening to Japanese classical music.
Date: April 13th
Time: 13:00 ~
Address: Kamigamo Shrine, 339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8047
Admission fee: free
Website (only in Japanese): https://pr.kyoto-np.jp/event/benishidare
Yasurai Matsuri – PhotoCredit: く～にゃん
Yasurai Festival
One of Kyoto’s three unique festivals, the Yasurai Festival at Imamiya Shrine, is held to pray for good health and prevention of illness. There is a lively procession led by performers who dress as oni (demons). The sounds of traditional instruments make this event mysterious. In the Yasurai Festival, red umbrellas play a pivotal role. They are said to attract the god’s eyes and bring good health to those who pass under these umbrellas. If you write your name on the effigies, you can get purified by a priestess and ask for god’s blessings.
Date: April 14th
Time:
- 12:00 ~ The procession starts from Kōnen-ji (small temple near Imamiya Shrine)
- 15:00 ~ Arrival and performance at Imamiya Shrine
Address: Imamiya Shrine, 21 Murasakino Imamiyacho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8243
Admission fee: free
Website: http://www.imamiyajinja.org/eng/imamiya_ENG/Yasurai_festival.html
Toji Temple flea market – Photo Credit: Kogei Art KYOTO
Toji Temple flea market
Held at the Toji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Toji Temple flea market is a great event to add to your trip plans to find antiques, bargain crafts, kimonos, and souvenirs. Even if you do not buy anything, it is enjoyable to just explore a variety of goods. Go to a lot of stalls and see what you can find. Not only are there material products, but you can also enjoy snacks at the food stalls! This flea market is one of Kyoto’s three major markets.
Date: April 21st
Time: 8:00 ~ 17:00
Address: To-ji Temple, 1 Kujocho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8473, Japan
Admission fee: free
Website: https://toji.or.jp/
In April, Kyoto has breathtaking nature, a beautiful display of traditional culture, and lively seasonal festivals that attract you and keep you captivated. Whether you go for geisha performances, hanami under cherry blossoms, or enjoy historical festivals, Kyoto has a little bit of everything for everyone during this time.
Featured Photo Credit: Balazs Simon
