Aoi Matsuri: Japan's Oldest Imperial Festival and Heian Picture Scroll Procession

Aoi Matsuri is one of Kyoto's oldest festivals, with a history of more than 1,400 years, and is counted with the Gion Matsuri and the Jidai Matsuri as one of the "Three Great Festivals of Kyoto." It is a "chokusai," an imperial festival to which a messenger of the Emperor is dispatched, and the sight of an elegant procession in the costume of Heian nobility advancing along the capital's avenues is truly a moving Heian picture scroll. It is a festival of high formality that conveys the refined court culture to the present day.

Conveying Heian Elegance to Today

Aoi Matsuri is the annual festival of Kamo Mioya Shrine (Shimogamo Shrine) and Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine (Kamigamo Shrine). Its origins are said to go back as far as the Kofun period, and it is handed down that it began as a prayer for an abundant harvest. It boasts the formality of being counted among Japan's Three Great Imperial Festivals (the Kamo, Iwashimizu and Kasuga festivals), and is a deeply venerable festival that strongly retains the flavor of court ritual.

The Roto no Gi Procession

The highlight of Aoi Matsuri is the gorgeous procession known as the "Roto no Gi." More than 500 people in total, dressed in the costume of Heian-period nobility, proceed with ox carts and horses from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine. The elegant procession, stretching about 8 km, is overwhelming, and the costumes and furnishings decorated with the leaves of futaba-aoi (wild ginger) are the origin of the festival's name.

The Splendor of the Saio-dai

The figure that draws particular attention within the procession is the "Saio-dai," clad in a junihitoe (twelve-layered court kimono). She is a woman who stands in for the "Saio," the imperial princess who once served the gods, and can be called the leading figure of Aoi Matsuri. Riding in a palanquin in magnificent costume, she is the very image of a Heian princess. She is the elegant flower of the festival, captivating the crowds along the route.

Tadasu no Mori Forest at Shimogamo Shrine

The grounds of Shimogamo Shrine (World Heritage), where the procession turns around, have the primeval forest "Tadasu no Mori." This sacred forest of trees hundreds of years old is a space like another world within the city.

Best Season and Access

Aoi Matsuri is held every year on May 15. At this time of beautiful fresh greenery, the streets of Kyoto are entirely given over to the festival. For access, take the subway or a bus to the area around the Kyoto Imperial Palace or to Shimogamo Shrine. To watch the procession, using the paid viewing seats or securing a spot along the route early is recommended. Experience the elegance of the Heian court together with Kyoto in its fresh green season.

Practical Information for the Festival (2026)

• Date: Friday May 15, 2026. In case of severe weather it is postponed to the following day, the 16th, and if the 16th is also stormy it is cancelled. The decision to hold or postpone is announced around 18:00 the day before
• Scheduled passing times for the procession (Roto no Gi): Kyoto Imperial Palace departs 10:30 -> Sakaimachi-gomon -> Marutamachi-dori -> Kawaramachi-dori -> arrives Shimogamo Shrine 11:40 (Shato no Gi) -> Shimogamo Shrine departs 14:20 -> Rakuhoku High School 14:40 -> Kitaoji Bridge 14:55 -> arrives Kamigamo Shrine 15:30 (Shato no Gi)
• How long to watch: seeing the procession from the head to the very end takes a little under an hour
• Paid viewing seats: about 6,600 seats at Kyoto Gyoen (south side of the Kenreimon gate) and about 500 seats on the main approach of Shimogamo Shrine (about 7,100 in total)
• General seat: front row 6,500 yen / second row and behind 5,000 yen
• Manabi seat: front row 10,500 yen / second row and behind 8,500 yen (with live commentary in Japanese by a dedicated lecturer)
• Royal seat: front row 20,000 yen / second row and behind 18,000 yen (with live commentary in Japanese and English, a commemorative fan and an aoi-katsura decoration; a tiered area closest to the Kenreimon gate)
• All seats are reserved and come with an official guidebook, a commemorative viewing token and an audio guide. The advance lottery sale runs February 16 to 23, and general sales start at 10:00 on April 1 (Seven-Eleven, P-code 659-945)
• Note on entry times: seats at Kyoto Gyoen must be taken by 10:00 because restrictions come into force on crossing the garden paths, and seats on the Shimogamo Shrine approach must be taken by 11:00 because of security within the precincts
• Parking: for the Kyoto Gyoen venue, cars use the Nakadachiuri car park or the Seiwain car park (Nakadachiuri does not accept buses), while chartered buses use the temporary bus-only car park entered from the Imadegawa entrance. At the Shimogamo Shrine venue, neither chartered buses nor private cars may park on the day
• Rain gear: the use of sun umbrellas, rain umbrellas and tripods is prohibited within the viewing seats. On days when rain is forecast, bring a raincoat. If the festival is cancelled, viewing tickets are refunded

*Details of stalls, temporary toilets and the extent of traffic restrictions have not been published officially.*

(Sources: Kyoto City Tourism Association, Kyoto Tourism Navi)