Kyoto festivals: Gion Matsuri, Aoi Matsuri and annual dates

Review the customary dates of Kyoto festivals, the 2026 Gion Matsuri Yoiyama and procession schedule, and why spectator seats and traffic plans need annual confirmation.

Last checked:

  • Kyoto
  • Festivals
  • Independent travel

This page is updated every year at the same address. Please note the last checked date.

Kyoto () has traditional festivals with customary annual dates, alongside Yoiyama events, on-site access arrangements and spectator seating announced separately each year. When planning, identify the festival and its month first, then check that year’s announcements rather than reuse traffic arrangements from a different year. This article is based on Kyoto City tourism association information (checked 2026-10-28) about the Gion Festival and other major events. See the Kyoto travel guide for other topics.

Key points

  • The main customary period for the Gion Festival () runs from 1 to 31 July. The Yamahoko processions () are held on 17 July for the Saki Matsuri and 24 July for the Ato Matsuri.
  • The 2026 Yoiyama () guide lists 14 to 16 July for Saki Matsuri and 21 to 23 July for Ato Matsuri. These are now past arrangements for that year.
  • Other major events listed officially are Aoi Matsuri on 15 May, Gozan no Okuribi on 16 August, and Jidai Matsuri on 22 October.
  • Spectator-seat prices and traffic restrictions for the 2027 Gion Festival have not yet been announced; they cannot be inferred from 2026 notices.

This year’s information (2026)

Item Details Source
Customary Gion Festival period 1 to 31 July; this does not mean the same activities take place every day Kyoto City tourism association (#2)
Customary Yamahoko procession dates Saki Matsuri 17 July, Ato Matsuri 24 July Kyoto City tourism association (#2)
2026 Saki Matsuri Yoiyama 14 to 16 July 2026 Yoiyama guide (#3)
2026 Ato Matsuri Yoiyama 21 to 23 July 2026 Yoiyama guide (#3)
Aoi Matsuri, Gozan no Okuribi and Jidai Matsuri Official customary dates: 15 May, 16 August and 22 October Kyoto City tourism association (#1)
2027 Gion Festival spectator-seat prices and traffic restrictions Not yet announced; await that year’s notice Kyoto City tourism association (#3)

Read the customary Gion Festival period separately from notices for a particular year. The annual dates help identify the month, but spectator-seat sales, road arrangements and event details must be checked in official notices for the year in question.

Places and activities: Distinguishing the festivals

Festival or event Customary dates listed officially Main distinguishing point
Gion Festival 1 to 31 July Includes Yoiyama and Yamahoko processions; it is not a single-day event
Aoi Matsuri () 15 May One of Kyoto’s major traditional festivals listed officially
Gozan no Okuribi () 16 August A summer event listed by Kyoto’s official tourism information
Jidai Matsuri () 22 October An autumn traditional festival listed officially

When choosing an event, first consider whether you want to watch a traditional procession or another kind of festival. The Gion Festival’s Yamahoko procession and Yoiyama are different experiences; an official map or crowd arrangement for one day should not be treated as applying throughout the month.

Gion Festival: How Saki Matsuri, Ato Matsuri and Yoiyama differ

In 2026, the Kyoto City tourism association published a guide to Yoiyama and the Yamahoko processions. The events can be considered separately as Saki Matsuri and Ato Matsuri: Yoiyama refers to the period of activities before a procession, while Yamahoko procession refers to its separate procession day.

Event stage Dates in the 2026 guide What to check
Saki Matsuri Yoiyama 14 to 16 July That year’s visiting areas and activities
Saki Matsuri Yamahoko procession 17 July Information about the area on procession day
Ato Matsuri Yoiyama 21 to 23 July Use the Ato Matsuri information rather than confuse it with Saki Matsuri
Ato Matsuri Yamahoko procession 24 July Distinguish procession day from Yoiyama days

If travelling in a year other than 2026, the Yoiyama details above only explain announced arrangements for 2026. Even though official information gives customary Gion Festival dates, that does not mean road closures or paid spectator seats will operate under the same conditions the following year.

Crowds and transport: Checks before departure

Question How to check Misunderstanding to avoid
Saki Matsuri or Ato Matsuri? First identify that year’s Yoiyama and procession schedule Do not merge dates or areas for the two parts into one itinerary
Which event area? Read that year’s official announcements and maps Do not use last year’s map as the latest access guide
Are reserved spectator seats needed? Wait for that year’s ticket notice and check whether seats must be purchased Do not use unconfirmed prices or sale periods
Have roads or transport changed? Check official Kyoto event and transport information before departure Do not infer road-closure times from the customary festival dates

The Gion area is both a residential neighbourhood and a visitor destination. Festival visitors should still respect public access and rules on photographing people; see Gion and Hanamikoji etiquette. To plan trains or buses around the event dates, consult the Kyoto bus and subway one-day pass guide and then confirm actual services on the day.

Reminder

This page uses official announcements checked 2026-10-28. The 2026 Yoiyama dates in the Gion Festival schedule are historical information. Relevant 2027 prices and traffic restrictions have not yet been announced, and future plans should be updated from that year’s official sources.

Further reading

Sources