Kyoto is a city where the beauty of the four seasons and traditional culture thrive. In 2024, this ancient capital will host various attractive events.
In spring, vibrant festivals coincide with the cherry blossom season, while summer is adorned with traditional festivals. Autumn brings numerous events to enjoy the fall foliage, and winter sees New Year's events carried out in a quiet atmosphere.
In this article, I'll introduce you to the notable events in Kyoto from September 2024 onwards. I hope foreign travelers will fully appreciate the charm of Kyoto!
As many events are still undecided at the time of writing, I plan to update this article regularly. Please bookmark it and use it for your Kyoto trip!
If your are looking for Comprehensive Kyoto Guide, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy different areas of Kyoto as much as possible.
Takashi Nakadomari
Table of Contents
・Event Table for Kyoto in 2024
・Autumn Events in Kyoto 2024 (September to November)
・Winter Events in Kyoto 2024 (December)
Event Table for Kyoto in 2024
Autumn Events in Kyoto 2024 (September to November)
Autumn in Kyoto is one of my favorite seasons. While September can still be quite hot, the weather gradually becomes cooler and more pleasant from October. The peak of autumn foliage is mainly in November, but autumn events start to increase from October, filling the entire city with excitement.
While you can check the access details in the event articles for each month, here I'll introduce you to the notable events where you can fully experience the charm of Kyoto in autumn.
Notable Events in September 2024
September is a transitional season and doesn't have as many notable events as October or November, but there are charming events unique to this time. I especially recommend these two events:
Besides these two, events such as the "Bush Clover Festival" and "Yoshitsune Festival" are also held. Please check the "September 2024 Events Article" for more details.
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・Kyoto: Events & Festivals in September 2024
Moon Viewing (Kangetsu) (Mid-September 2024)
Source: Kyoto Official Tourism Website
Around mid-September, during the period called "Chushu no Meigetsu" (Harvest Moon), the culture of moon viewing has long been alive in Kyoto. I visit Kyoto every year during this time and am fascinated by the traditional beauty of admiring the moon in tranquility.
Moon viewing events are held at various spots such as Yasaka Shrine, Kodaiji Temple, and Daikakuji Temple. Please refer to the "September events article" for information on each spot.
Seimei Festival (Seimeisai) (September 21-22, 2024)
Source: Souda Kyoto Ikou
The Seimei Festival is held every September at Seimei Shrine, which enshrines Abe no Seimei, a famous onmyoji (yin-yang master) from the Heian period.
Many worshippers visit for the rituals held on the equinox day, and the shrine grounds are lined with food stalls, creating a lively atmosphere. You can experience the world of onmyoji and feel Kyoto's ancient beliefs firsthand.
Notable Events in October 2024
In October, the signs of autumn become more pronounced in Kyoto, and the whole city becomes full of vitality. Here, I'll introduce two notable events you should experience in Kyoto during this time.
Besides the ones introduced here, interesting events such as "Kasagake Jinji at Kamigamo Shrine" and "Uji Tea Festival" are also held. Please check the "October 2024 Events Article" for details.
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・Kyoto in October 2024: Early Autumn Highlights, Events & Festivals
Thousand Lanterns at Fushimi Inari Taisha (Early October 2025)
Source: Kyoto Tourism Navi
The Thousand Lanterns at Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the most fantastic events representing autumn in Kyoto. About 350 lanterns are placed near the torii gates and lit up at night, creating a sensation as if you've wandered into another world.
The sight of the thousand torii gates illuminated by the lantern light is truly breathtaking. For photography enthusiasts, this is an excellent spot for shooting.
Jidai Matsuri (October 22, 2024)
Source: Wikipedia
The Jidai Matsuri is known as one of Kyoto's three major festivals and is a grand parade event. It recreates the history from the Heian period over 1,000 years ago to the Meiji period about 100 years ago, truly like a historical picture scroll come to life.
Through this festival, which feels like a time slip, you can experience the depth of Kyoto's long history and culture firsthand.
Notable Events in November 2024
November in Kyoto is in the midst of the autumn foliage season. Usually, many places reach their peak foliage from mid-November, and the sight of the entire city painted in red and yellow is breathtaking. I visit Kyoto every year during this time, and I can't help but be captivated by its beauty.
There are numerous events related to autumn leaves, including light-ups, and the city is bustling with tourists.
For other events such as the "Fire-Lighting Festival" at Fushimi Inari Taisha and the "Vegan Festival," please check the "November 2024 Article". Here, I'll introduce two especially recommended events in Kyoto in November.
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・Kyoto in November 2024: Autumn Leaves Highlights, Events & Festivals
Autumn Leaves Light-up (Early November - Early December 2024)
While Kyoto's autumn leaves are beautiful during the day, their illuminated appearance at night is particularly special. Night light-ups are held at famous temples and shrines such as Kiyomizu-dera, Kodaiji, and Hogonin in Arashiyama.
Weekdays are relatively less crowded, so I recommend them for those who want to enjoy a quiet atmosphere.
Arashiyama Momiji Festival (November 10, 2024)
Source: THE Arashiyama
The Arashiyama Momiji Festival is a colorful event that recreates the boat excursions of Heian nobility from over 1000 years ago.
Particularly impressive is the performance of gagaku (ancient court music) on the boats. The ethereal tones echoing across the water surface make you feel as if you've time-slipped to the Heian period. It's a luxurious time where you can enjoy the scenery of Arashiyama colored with autumn leaves while feeling like Heian nobility.
Year-end Winter Events in Kyoto 2024 (December)
From December, Kyoto enters the full-fledged winter season. The temperature drops sharply and it gets cold, so I recommend visiting in warm clothing. However, snow usually falls in January and February.
Winter has fewer events compared to other seasons, and relatively fewer tourists. However, this allows you to enjoy Kyoto quietly with less crowding.
While you can check the access details in the event articles for each month, here I'll introduce you to charming events unique to winter in Kyoto.
Besides the ones below, there are events such as "Kuya Odori Nenbutsu" at Rokuharamitsuji Temple and the "Kyoto Bread Festival," so please check the "December 2024 Article" for details. Here, I'll introduce two events that I especially recommend.
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・Kyoto in December 2024: Year-end Highlights, Events & Festivals
Shimai Tenjin at Kitano Tenmangu (December 25, 2024)
The "Tenjin Market" at Kitano Tenmangu is a small festival held on the 25th of every month, but the "Shimai Tenjin" in December is particularly large in scale and bustling with many worshippers and tourists.
Many stalls line up in and around the shrine grounds, selling various goods including food, miscellaneous goods, and antiques. I recommend going during the daytime when you can feel the most liveliness.
New Year's Eve Bell Ringing at Chion-in Temple (December 31)
Source: Souda Kyoto Ikou
The New Year's Eve Bell Ringing at Chion-in Temple is one of the events you absolutely must experience if you're spending New Year's in Kyoto. In this event, believed to ward off worldly desires to welcome the new year, the bell is rung 108 times.
This event, held on the night of New Year's Eve, December 31, involves 17 monks ringing the large bell of Chion-in, also known as one of "Japan's Three Great Bells," with coordinated shouts. The serious expressions of the monks at the moment of ringing the bell and their synchronized movements are truly impressive.
Kyoto in 2024 is full of attractive events where you can experience the beauty of the four seasons, deep history, and rich culture. Kyoto from autumn to winter is particularly atmospheric, overflowing with precious opportunities to feel Kyoto's traditional culture firsthand.
Each event has its unique atmosphere and etiquette, so researching in advance will allow you to enjoy them more deeply. Also, as crowding conditions can vary greatly depending on the season and time of day, I recommend making a flexible schedule.