01Date index
Nov 4 — Dec 428 scheduled datesScheduled today
Seika Yamaga 140th Anniversary Exhibition
See scheduled dates
A textile retrospective bringing rockets and Tokyo Tower into traditional craft.
03KYOTO NOW / CULTURAL INDEX
Only here for a while
Festivals, rituals and seasonal moments worth planning around.
02Date index
Kyoto Now
Only While You’re Here
Dates are in Japan time. Schedules may change; check event details before visiting.
Your stayNov 4, 2026 – Dec 4, 2026
Nov 4 — Nov 8Closing soon
Dreamlike Arashiyama Moonlight Path
Around 1 km of bamboo paths lit by handcrafted lanterns and immersive art installations.
Nov 4 — Nov 30Ongoing
Daian-ji Eleven-headed Kannon Autumn Opening 2026
An autumn-only opening reveals Daian-ji's Eleven-headed Kannon statue.
A Ghibli exhibition that uses Zen as a way to look at the works.
Nov 4 — Dec 4Scheduled today
Daitokuji Oubai-in Autumn Special Opening
Limited autumn opening of a historic Zen subtemple with gardens, tea rooms and screen paintings.
Nov 4 — Dec 4Scheduled today
Kobe Illuminage 2026 — Starlight Dream
Light tunnels, palace-like installations and a dog-friendly area fill the seasonal outdoor exhibition.
Nov 4 — Nov 23Scheduled today
Expo '70 Park Autumn Rose Festa 2026
The seasonal rose festival presents the Peace Rose Garden's autumn blooms.
Nov 4 — Nov 9Closing soon
The 78th Shosoin Exhibition
A short annual exhibition brings selected Shosoin treasures to the Nara National Museum.
Nov 4 — Nov 8Closing soon
Tōrin-in: Bontō Lantern Night
About 800 candles and the abbot’s handmade Bontō lights softly illuminate the white-sand and moss gardens.
Nov 4 — Dec 4Ongoing
Kitano Tenmangu Odoi Maple Garden: Opening and Light-up
Walk among about 350 maples along Hideyoshi's historic earthworks beside the Kamiya River.
Nov 4 — Nov 23Ongoing
Hieizan Yokawa Chūdō Inner Sanctum Special Viewing
A normally monks-only passage to Yokawa Chūdō’s inner sanctum opens during the maple festival; no special-viewing surcharge applies.
Nov 4 — Nov 7Closing soon
Jingo-ji Daishidō Special Opening
A normally closed Important Cultural Property hall opens to reveal a rare 1302 board-carved image of Kōbō Daishi.
Nov 4 — Dec 4Ongoing
Midosuji Illumination 2026
A seasonal illuminated avenue stretches about four kilometres through central Osaka.
Nov 5 — Nov 8Next date
Myoren-ji: Marugoto Museum
A temple-wide art event combines a historic 16-Arhat stone garden, Tōhaku-school sliding screens and contemporary works, with evening illumination.
Nov 6 — Dec 411 scheduled datesNext date
Shogoin Autumn Opening: Emperor Go-Mizunoo
See scheduled dates
Imperial calligraphy and Kano-school paintings inside normally closed halls.
Nov 6 — Nov 8Starts today
CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2026
Thirty-three galleries bring contemporary art, craft and antiques into three Nishijin temples.
Nov 6 — Nov 8Starts today
Shosei-en Boat Rides and Garden Tours — CURATION⇄FAIR
Three days of separately reserved boat rides and guided walks offer another way to experience Shosei-en.
Nov 6 — Nov 7Starts today
Kobe Foreign Settlement Terrace Days 2026
Two days of outdoor terraces bring food, drinks and street life to Kobe's historic settlement.
Nov 7 — Nov 299 scheduled datesNext date
Rokko Hikari no Mori — Night Art Walk 2026
See scheduled dates
A weekend-and-holiday night programme places light artworks in two mountain gardens.
Nov 7 — Nov 8Next date
Kyoto Modern Architecture Festival 2026
A citywide passport event opens selected modern buildings and normally closed spaces for self-guided visits on four public-access days.
Nov 7 — Nov 284 scheduled datesNext date
Kofuku-ji Tokondo Special Night Visit 2026
See scheduled dates
Selected Saturday evenings open Tokondo's Buddhist sculpture collection after daytime visiting ends.
Nov 7 — Nov 8Limited dates
Pan Tengoku Autumn 2026 at Expo '70 Park
A three-day bakery market accompanies the park's autumn flowers and foliage.
Nov 7 — Nov 24Starts today
Kifune Shrine Autumn Foliage Light-Up
The shrine’s approach is illuminated during the autumn period, making a quiet night visit possible in the mountain village.
Nov 7 — Nov 8Starts today
Shinsen-en Dainenbutsu Kyogen 2026
Two afternoons of traditional masked kyogen told through movement and gesture.
Nov 7 — Nov 29Starts today
Expo '70 Park Maple Festival 2026
An autumn festival connects the park's maple valley and Japanese garden with seasonal programmes.
A short, free fireworks display makes an easy addition to a Kobe waterfront evening.
Nov 7 — Dec 426 scheduled datesNext date
Suma Rikyu Maple Viewing and Lumiere 2026
See scheduled dates
Autumn maples, roses and weekend fountain illumination combine in the former villa park.
Nov 7 — Dec 4Starts today
Kobe Christmas Market 2026 — Old Castle Christmas
A mountaintop Christmas market brings ornaments, German-inspired food and botanical decorations to Nunobiki.
Nov 7 — Dec 4Starts today
KOBE UMIAKARI 2026
A seasonal programme links winter illumination around Harborland and Metro Kobe.
Four Saturday nights offer a focused visit to Gango-ji's historic hall and museum treasures.
Nov 7 — Nov 284 scheduled datesNext date
Kasuga Taisha Night Visit and Mantoro 2026
See scheduled dates
Four special Saturday evenings illuminate the shrine's hanging lanterns for a sanctuary visit.
Nov 11 — Nov 16Starts today
Umeda Flea Market 2026
An indoor flea-market event gathers vintage homeware, textiles and small discoveries in Umeda.
A reservation-limited evening garden visit includes a 15-minute introduction and a café drink and sweet.
Nov 20 — Dec 4Starts today
Osaka Castle Illuminage 2026
A winter light exhibition adds illuminated historical scenes to Osaka Castle's Nishinomaru Garden.
Monthly temple-market day with 1,000+ stalls spanning antiques, clothing, tools and food.
Nov 21 — Nov 23Starts today
Nara Pottery Market at Kasuga Taisha 2026
A three-day pottery market brings ceramic makers to the Kasuga Taisha approach.
Limited events
Kyoto Now
Choose a month, follow the fine date marks, then read the events in the order they happen.
Limited events2026/08
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Kitano Tenmangu Tanabata FestivalTo-ji Rag and Flea MarketShosei-en Rōfū-tei Special OpeningDaigo-ji Manto-eShimogamo Shrine Nagoshi RitualLake Biwa Great Fireworks FestivalRokudo Chinno-ji: Rokudo MairiGojo Wakamiya Pottery FestivalRokuharamitsu-ji Manto-eIbaraki Benten Fireworks FestivalHeian Rakuichi9
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Kitano Tenmangu Tanabata FestivalShosei-en Rōfū-tei Special OpeningKiyomizu-dera Sennichi MairiRokudo Chinno-ji: Rokudo MairiGojo Wakamiya Pottery FestivalRokuharamitsu-ji Manto-eMibu-dera Mibu Rokusai NenbutsuHeian NEO MarcheZest Oike NEO MarcheShimogamo Shrine Summer Used Book FairFukuneko MarcheFukuchiyama Fireworks FestivalHeian NEO MarcheIchinenzaka and Ninenzaka Evening LanternsHanase Matsuage Fire FestivalYoshinogawa Summer Fireworks FestivalChion-ji Handicraft Market16
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Shosei-en Rōfū-tei Special OpeningKitano Tenmangu Tanabata FestivalKiyomizu-dera Sennichi MairiShimogamo Shrine Summer Used Book FairIchinenzaka and Ninenzaka Evening LanternsGozan no OkuribiArashiyama Floating LanternsMiyazu Lantern Floating and Fireworks FestivalFukuneko MarcheHeian Antique MarketYoi Kobo at Daikaku-jiTo-ji Kobo MarketKyoto Rokujizo PilgrimageSBI MaihanabiOn the calendarLimited datesClosing soon
04Kyoto Now by date
Seasonal calendar
- Limited dates · Nov 2121Nov 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026 + 11 listed dates
To-ji Kobo Market
Craft & market
More than 1,000 stalls offer antiques, used clothing, old tools, food and household goods; rain or shine.
- Opening hours
- 7:00 AM–3:30 PM
- Address
- To-ji Temple grounds
- Nearest station
- Station details on official site
- Admission
- Official listing does not state an admission price; purchases are extra.
- Reservation
- The official listing does not specify a reservation channel or deadline.
- Ended16Aug 16, 2026
Aug 1, 2026 — Aug 16, 2026
Kitano Tenmangu Tanabata Festival
Festival & ritual
Evening illumination and purification rites give the shrine a romantic summer atmosphere.
- Opening hours
- 9:30 AM–8:00 PM
- Address
- Kitano Tenmangu
- Ended26Aug 26, 2026
Aug 1, 2026 + 1 listed dates
Okazaki Park Free Market
Craft & market
Easy to combine with Heian Jingu and the museums of Okazaki.
- Opening hours
- 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Address
- Okazaki Park
- Ended02Aug 2, 2026
Aug 2, 2026
To-ji Rag and Flea Market
Craft & market
A large market for antiques, old household goods and miscellaneous finds.
- Opening hours
- 6:00 AM–4:30 PM
- Address
- To-ji
- Ended30Sep 30, 2026
Aug 5, 2026 — Sep 30, 2026
Shosei-en Rōfū-tei Special Opening
Seasonal moment
A normally closed reception building with screens by Takehiko Inoue depicting Shinran’s life.
- Opening hours
- 10:00 AM–4:30 PM
- Address
- Shosei-en Garden
- Nearest station
- Station details on official site
- Admission
- ¥1,200 total for adults: ¥700 garden admission plus ¥500 special opening.
- Reservation
- No reservation required; go directly to reception.
- Ended05Aug 5, 2026
Aug 5, 2026
Daigo-ji Manto-e
Festival & ritual
National-treasure buildings and the five-story pagoda are illuminated after dark.
- Opening hours
- 6:00–8:30 PM
- Address
- Daigo-ji
- Ended06Aug 6, 2026
Aug 6, 2026
Shimogamo Shrine Nagoshi Ritual
Festival & ritual
A compact summer purification rite rooted in old Kyoto shrine tradition.
- Opening hours
- 6:30–7:00 PM
- Address
- Shimogamo Shrine
- Ended06Aug 6, 2026
Aug 6, 2026
Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival
Festival & ritual
A high-profile Kansai fireworks display reflected across Lake Biwa.
- Opening hours
- 7:30–8:30 PM
- Address
- Otsu Port, Shiga Prefecture
- Ended10Aug 10, 2026
Aug 7, 2026 — Aug 10, 2026
Rokudo Chinno-ji: Rokudo Mairi
Festival & ritual
One of Kyoto’s best-known Obon customs for welcoming ancestral spirits.
- Opening hours
- 6:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Address
- Rokudo Chinno-ji
- Ended10Aug 10, 2026
Aug 7, 2026 — Aug 10, 2026
Gojo Wakamiya Pottery Festival
Craft & market
A long-running ceramics event for browsing pottery, tableware and handmade pieces.
- Opening hours
- 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Address
- Gojo-dori and Wakamiya Hachimangu
- Ended10Aug 10, 2026
Aug 8, 2026 — Aug 10, 2026
Rokuharamitsu-ji Manto-e
Festival & ritual
Lanterns welcome ancestral spirits during the Obon season.
- Opening hours
- 8:00–9:00 PM
- Address
- Rokuharamitsu-ji
- Ended08Aug 8, 2026
Aug 8, 2026
Ibaraki Benten Fireworks Festival
Festival & ritual
A compact, fast-paced display suitable for a same-day trip.
- Opening hours
- 7:30–8:30 PM
- Address
- Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture