The origins of Aoi Matsuri (葵祭) can be traced back to the noble circles of the Imperial court. Among the many Japanese festivals it is known as one of the finest and rarest of its kind. Especially impressive is the grand parade consisting of over 500 people, horses, cattle, carts and palanquins decorated with hollyhock and costumes of the Heian Period (9th century). The parade commences at 10:30am at the Kyoto Imperial Palace and runs towards the Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines.
| Access from Tokyo Approx. 2hr20min from Tokyo Sta. to Kyoto Sta. |
| May 15 every year |
| The parade starts 10:30am at Kyoto Imperial Palace; stops 11:40am at Shimogamo shrine; leaves 02:20pm and arrives 03:30pm at Kamigamo Shrine |
| Website: Kyoto City Official Travel Guide: Event Schedule (in English) |
Aoi Festival |
Kyoto Imperial Palace
| 3 Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture |
| Short walk from “Karasuma-Imadegawa” city bus stop / 10 min by walk from Marutamachi Sta. on the city subway |
Kyoto Imperial Palace |
Kamigamo Shrine
| 339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture |
| Short walk from “Kamigamo Jinja-mae” or “Kamigamo Misonobashi” city bus stop |
Kamigamo Shrine |
Shimogamo Shrine
| 59 Shimogamo Izumikawa, Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture |
| Short walk from “Shimogamo Jinja-mae” city bus stop / 12 min by walk from Demachiyanagi Sta. on the Keihan Line |
Shimogamo Shrine |
