12 Months of Wonder: Timeless Reasons to Keep Coming Back to Kyoto

Kyoto’s magic never fades. While the city is most famous for its spring cherry blossoms and vivid autumn foliage, its charm extends far beyond these seasonal splendours.

Every month unveils its own traditions and celebrations, inviting you to delve deeper into local culture. The three great festivals – Aoi Matsuri (May), Gion Matsuri (July), and Jidai Matsuri (October) – are worth a trip in themselves. Bringing history and spirituality to spectacular life, these iconic events immerse travellers in the city’s rich heritage.

From solemn rituals to lively celebrations, there’s always a reason to return to Kyoto. The Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto shares some of their favourite experiences through the year.

January: Sacred Beginnings

Start afresh with Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year, where locals and visitors alike pray for prosperity and joy. For a classic Kyoto experience, embark on the Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage, believed to bring good fortune for the new year. Each deity bestows their own blessings, ranging from wealth and wisdom to longevity and happiness.

At the Ebisu Festival (January 8-12), worshippers pray for business prosperity and receive bamboo talismans for success. In mid-January, take a five-minute stroll from Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto to reach Sanjusangen-do Temple, where skilled archers from across Japan gather for the Toshiya festival – a demonstration of precision and discipline rooted in samurai tradition.

February: Early Spring Secrets

With a hint of spring in the air, it’s time for Setsubun (February 3). At temples and shrines across Kyoto, visitors throw roasted soybeans while chanting “oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” (meaning “demons out, fortune in!”) to usher in a season of good luck.

Later in the month, the Baikasai Plum Blossom Festival (February 25) at Kitano Temmangu Shrine honours a revered Japanese scholar and his love for plum blossoms – the first sign of spring in Kyoto. The ceremony brings together Shinto spiritualism, green tea and geishas.

March: Once Upon a Doll

The Hina Matsuri Doll Festival (March 3) casts a fairytale spell over the city. In a centuries-old tradition, exquisite Hina dolls are displayed in homes and temples, symbolizing wishes for health and happiness. Witness the Nagashi-bina ritual, where paper dolls are set afloat on rivers to carry away misfortune. You can also visit special exhibitions showcasing Kyoto’s doll-making craftsmanship, known for its intricate detailing and historical significance.

April: Sakura Sensation

Spring is synonymous with Hanami, the art of appreciating cherry blossoms. Experience the city’s dreamscape of pink-and-white petals in your own way, whether it’s a serene stroll along the Philosopher’s Path or an evening of illuminated blossoms at Maruyama Park. Adding to the elegance of the season, the geisha districts present their annual Spring Odori Performances, where geiko and maiko captivate audiences with graceful spring dances.

May: A Walk Through Time

The first of Kyoto’s three great festivals is Aoi Matsuri (May 15), going back over a thousand years. The magnificent parade features more than 500 people dressed in Heian-era court attire, tracing a route from the Imperial Palace to the Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines. Marvel at the faithful depiction of age-old styles and manners.

June: Spiritual Reset

Summer kicks off with Nagoshi no Harae (June 30), a purification ritual performed at shrines across Kyoto. Pass thrice through the chinowa, a large ring of woven grass, to cleanse away misfortune and pray for good health in the second half of the year.

July: Larger Than Life

Held through July, Gion Matsuri is Kyoto’s biggest and best-known festival. The highlight is the vibrant Yamaboko Procession (July 17 and 24), where towering, elaborately decorated floats parade through the city, celebrating centuries of midsummer tradition.

August: Fiery Farewells

Daimonji Gozan Okuribi (August 16) offers a breathtaking sight: giant bonfires illuminate the mountainside, sending ancestral spirits back to the afterlife in a stunning farewell. Lit on five different mountains around Kyoto, the bonfires form kanji characters and symbols. This deeply spiritual event marks the end of the Obon Festival, a time when families honour the visiting spirits of their ancestors.

September: Of Flowers and Full Moons

Chrysanthemums, long associated with rejuvenation, take centre stage at Choyo no Sekku (September 9). Welcome health and longevity as you sip chrysanthemum-infused sake at a local shrine. The city also hosts moon-viewing events in September, where guests gather at historic temples and gardens to admire the full moon while enjoying seasonal sweets and tea ceremonies.

October: A Taste of Time Travel

The last of Kyoto’s three famous festivals is Jidai Matsuri (October 22), Festival of the Ages. Taking viewers on a historical journey, the elaborate costume procession showcases Kyoto’s cultural legacy from the Heian Period to the Meiji Restoration – about 1100 years. More than 2,000 participants dressed in meticulously recreated historical costumes march through the streets: expect to see samurai warriors, noblewomen, courtiers and more.

November: Blaze of Glory

Autumn foliage paints the city in radiant shades of crimson and gold. From the maple-lined pathways of Eikando Temple to the iconic bridge at Tofuku-ji Temple, this is one of the most picturesque seasons in Kyoto.

December: Ring in the New Year

Bid farewell to the year with Joya no Kane, the bell-ringing ceremony on New Year’s Eve. Come midnight, temples across Kyoto ring their bells 108 times, representing the purging of desires and signalling a fresh start.

Kyoto welcomes you round the year with cherished traditions and seasonal treasures – there’s just so much to discover. Uncover new layers of history, culture and beauty every time you visit this endlessly fascinating destination.