Know before you go

• The big float processions are on 17 and 24 July; the evenings before (yoiyama) are the most fun.

Airport to Shijo-dori and Gion

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

Subway to Shijo or Hankyu to Kawaramachi.

Public transport directions to Shijo-dori and Gion

Where to stay by budget

Three hotels we would book

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

Links search the nights from 30 June to 1 August. 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 1 to 31 July 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Family-friendly picks

• Kyoto Railway Museum.
• Toei Kyoto Studio Park.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

• Kiyamachi street bars.

6 tours worth booking for Gion Matsuri

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

• 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

Questions people ask

When is Gion Matsuri 2027?

The next edition is 1 to 31 July 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Shijo-dori and Gion?

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

Where should I stay for Gion Matsuri?

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

What can we do between sessions at Gion 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 Gion Matsuri?

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

How far is Shijo-dori and Gion from Kyoto centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Subway to Shijo or Hankyu to Kawaramachi.

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