Aoi Matsuri 2027 in Kyoto: weekend guide and things to do

Saturday, 15 May 2027 · ExpectedKyoto, Japan

Aoi Matsuri leaves gaps between screenings, shows and events, and companions without a pass have whole days in Kyoto. This guide fills them.

Tours in Kyoto Hotels for these dates

Aoi Matsuri in short

When: Saturday, 15 May 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
Where: Kyoto Imperial Palace to Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto, Japan
Free time: Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.
Best base: Gion and Kawaramachi: Old streets and dining.
Getting there: Kansai airport (KIX) has the Haruka express to Kyoto in 75 minutes.
Weather: In May, Kyoto averages highs of about 22°C and lows of 12°C, with roughly 140 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 59 min of daylight.
Top things to do: Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera tour; Arashiyama bamboo grove; Tea ceremony

Weather during Aoi Matsuri

In May, Kyoto averages highs of about 22°C and lows of 12°C, with roughly 140 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 59 min of daylight.

Month	Average high	Average low	Rain
May	22°C (72°F)	12°C (54°F)	140 mm

What to pack

A warm layer for the evenings.
A rain jacket or umbrella: it rains often in this month.
Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

Monthly averages for 2001 to 2025 from NASA POWER. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.

Airport to Kyoto Imperial Palace to Kamigamo Shrine

Kansai airport (KIX) has the Haruka express to Kyoto in 75 minutes. Tokyo is 2 hours 15 minutes by shinkansen.

Subway to Imadegawa.

Public transport directions to Kyoto Imperial Palace to Kamigamo Shrine

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Kyoto station area	Business hotels by the trains.
Mid-range	Gion and Kawaramachi	Old streets and dining.
Splurge	Higashiyama ryokan	Traditional inns.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Piece Hostel Sanjo
Mid-range: Hotel Kanra Kyoto
Splurge: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Links search the nights from 14 May to 16 May. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual festival stay schedule for Saturday, 15 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.

Half-dayTea ceremony Half day · Indoor · Low walking
Matcha in a machiya.
EatPontocho alley Riverside dining

A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.

Full dayNara day trip Full day · Family
Deer park and the Great Buddha.

Evenings

After the last show of the day.

EveningGion evening walk Evening · Nightlife
Geisha district stories.
EatIppudo or local ramen on Ramen Koji Ramen alley at the station

Rainy day

Indoor backups.

Rain or heat backupKyoto National Museum.
FreePhilosopher's Path.

Family-friendly picks

Full day · Family

Nara day trip

Deer park and the Great Buddha.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Kimono rental and photo walk

Dress up for the old streets.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera tour

Torii gates and the wooden temple.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Arashiyama bamboo grove

Go early.

See times and prices

Kyoto Railway Museum.
Toei Kyoto Studio Park.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife

Gion evening walk

Geisha district stories.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Nara day trip

Deer park and the Great Buddha.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera tour

Torii gates and the wooden temple.

See times and prices

After dark

Kiyamachi street bars.

6 tours worth booking for Aoi Matsuri

Tour	Length	Good for
Tea ceremony	Half day	Bad weather, Tired legs
Nara day trip	Full day	Families
Kimono rental and photo walk	Half day	Families
Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera tour	Full day	Families
Arashiyama bamboo grove	Half day	Families
Gion evening walk	Evening	Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Nishiki Market Covered food market
Pontocho alley Riverside dining
Ippudo or local ramen on Ramen Koji Ramen alley at the station

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor · Low walking

Tea ceremony

Matcha in a machiya.

See times and prices

Kyoto National Museum.
Manga Museum.

Getting around on event days

Buses get crowded; the subway and walking are often faster.
A Suica or PASMO card (or Apple Pay) works on trains, buses and convenience stores.
Shinkansen tickets can be booked on smartEX; reserved seats sell out on holidays.

Day trips from Kyoto

Nara: 45 minutes
Osaka: 30 minutes

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Aoi Matsuri.

Plan a group trip

Organiser of Aoi Matsuri? Add this guide to your website.

Questions people ask

When is Aoi Matsuri 2027?

The next edition is Saturday, 15 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

What is the weather like during Aoi Matsuri?

In May, Kyoto averages highs of about 22°C and lows of 12°C, with roughly 140 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 59 min of daylight.

How do I get from the airport to Kyoto Imperial Palace to Kamigamo Shrine?

Kansai airport (KIX) has the Haruka express to Kyoto in 75 minutes. Tokyo is 2 hours 15 minutes by shinkansen. Subway to Imadegawa.

Where should I stay for Aoi Matsuri?

For most visitors the best base is Gion and Kawaramachi: Old streets and dining.

What can we do between sessions at Aoi Matsuri?

Good short outings in Kyoto include Arashiyama bamboo grove, Tea ceremony, Kimono rental and photo walk. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Aoi Matsuri?

Family-friendly picks: Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera tour, Arashiyama bamboo grove, Nara day trip. Kyoto Railway Museum.

How far is Kyoto Imperial Palace to Kamigamo Shrine from Kyoto centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. Subway to Imadegawa.

How we put this guide together: dates come from the organiser's published calendar or, when not yet announced, from the event's usual pattern; weather from NASA POWER monthly averages 2001 to 2025; venue access and city tips from our own research. Last checked 2 November 2026. How we research.

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