# Aoi Matsuri: what to do between sessions in Kyoto

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/aoi-matsuri/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## 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 and what to pack

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.
- 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.

## Airport to venue

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

Subway to Imadegawa.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Kyoto station area. Business hotels by the trains.
- **mid:** Gion and Kawaramachi. Old streets and dining.
- **luxury:** Higashiyama ryokan. Traditional inns.
- Hotels we would book: Piece Hostel Sanjo (budget), Hotel Kanra Kyoto (mid), The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: Tea ceremony. Matcha in a machiya.
- Eat: Pontocho alley, Riverside dining

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Full day: Nara day trip. Deer park and the Great Buddha.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- Evening: Gion evening walk. Geisha district stories.
- Eat: Ippudo or local ramen on Ramen Koji, Ramen alley at the station

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: Kyoto National Museum.
- Free: Philosopher's Path.

## Tours worth booking

- [Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Kyoto%20highlights%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-aoi-matsuri): Torii gates and the wooden temple.
- [Arashiyama bamboo grove](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Arashiyama%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-aoi-matsuri): Go early.
- [Tea ceremony](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Kyoto%20tea%20ceremony&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-aoi-matsuri): Matcha in a machiya.
- [Gion evening walk](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Gion%20night%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-aoi-matsuri): Geisha district stories.
- [Nara day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Nara%20day%20trip&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-aoi-matsuri): Deer park and the Great Buddha.
- [Kimono rental and photo walk](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Kyoto%20kimono%20rental&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-aoi-matsuri): Dress up for the old streets.

## Where to eat

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

## With kids

- Kyoto Railway Museum.
- Toei Kyoto Studio Park.

## Rainy-day backups

- Kyoto National Museum.
- Manga Museum.

## Getting around

- 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.

## 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.

More in Kyoto: https://eventweekends.com/city/kyoto/