Aoi Matsuri (Kamo Festival)葵祭（賀茂祭）

The annual festival of Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, known of old as the Kamo Festival. On May 15 a procession in Heian-court dress travels from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to both shrines.

In the Roto no Gi, a procession of more than 500 people with 36 horses, four oxen, two ox-drawn carriages and a palanquin sets out from the Kyoto Imperial Palace and travels some 8 km, first to Shimogamo Shrine and then to Kamigamo Shrine. In the days before, preliminary rites such as yabusame (mounted archery) and the Saiodai's purification are held.

This is a religious rite rooted in a shrine or temple. Please follow the guidance of the organizers and clergy, and take care not to disrupt the ceremonies.

Shimogamo Shrine relates that the festival began some 1,500 years ago, in 544 (the fifth year of Emperor Kinmei), when poor harvests brought famine and disease that were attributed to the Kamo deities; horses were raced and rites offered to appease them. According to the City of Kyoto, the custom of decorating the procession and shrine buildings with futaba-aoi leaves dates from the festival's revival in 1694.

Source: 賀茂御祖神社（下鴨神社）(external site, opens in a new tab) / 京都市(external site, opens in a new tab)

The festival takes its name from the futaba-aoi (hollyhock) leaves that adorn participants, carriages and shrine buildings. Counted with Gion Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri among Kyoto's three great festivals, it carries prayers to the Kamo deities in the dress of the Heian court, with figures such as the Saiodai at its centre.

1. 01

   Roto no Gi

   The roughly 8 km procession on May 15 from the Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines.

2. 02

   Yabusame Shinji

   A preliminary rite of mounted archery on the riding ground in Tadasu no Mori at Shimogamo Shrine.

3. 03

   Saiodai Misogi no Gi

   The purification of the Saiodai, held in alternate years at Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines.

• Aoi Matsuri (Kamo Festival)【京都 上賀茂神社】賀茂祭（葵祭）5月15日

• Aoi Matsuri (Kamo Festival)【京都 上賀茂神社】賀茂祭（葵祭）～解説～

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The Roto no Gi is postponed in case of rain, with the decision announced the evening before. Paid seating has been offered by the Kyoto City Tourism Association in some years. Check Kyoto Travel Navi and the shrines' own notices for current details.

Traffic controls, seating and fees change every year. Always check the official website for the latest information.

Official website — shimogamo-jinja.or.jp(external site, opens in a new tab)

• Remember that the procession is a Shinto rite and do not obstruct it
• Follow the directions of stewards

1. 1.賀茂祭（葵祭）のご案内 | 下鴨神社 | 賀茂御祖神社(external site, opens in a new tab)賀茂御祖神社（下鴨神社） · Accessed 2026-09-26
2. 2.葵祭「深く知る」｜【京都市公式】京都観光Navi(external site, opens in a new tab)京都市 · Accessed 2026-09-26
3. 3.葵祭 路頭の儀 - 【京都市公式】京都観光Navi(external site, opens in a new tab)京都市 · Accessed 2026-09-26

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  The Aoi Matsuri procession with red parasols and Heian court costumes crossing the Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds

  Photographer

  Japanexperterna

  Source

  Aoi Matsuri.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 3.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

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  Women in layered Heian-era robes walking in the Aoi Matsuri procession

  Photographer

  Nullumayulife

  Source

  Aoi matsuri festival in Kyoto, Japan 2011-05-15.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY 2.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

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  A court lady in layered robes walking beneath a red parasol held by an attendant

  Photographer

  Kok Leng Yeo from Singapore, Singapore

  Source

  Flickr - yeowatzup - Aoi Matsuri, Imperial Palace, Kyoto, Japan (9).jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY 2.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

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  A furyu-gasa parasol heaped with red and white flowers carried in the Aoi Matsuri procession

  Photographer

  Japanexperterna.se

  Source

  Aoix2.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 3.0(external site, opens in a new tab)