April is the most popular month to visit Kyoto, thanks to the blooming of the world famous cherry blossoms. There’s a whole raft of events to celebrate their arrival, plus special openings of the both the Imperial Palace and a stunning subtemple at the Daitoku-ji temple complex.
Shoren-in Temple
(20 March) – 2 April 2020
Event: Kitano Odori
Location: Kamishichiken Kaburenjo
Time: starts at 2:00pm and 4:30pm
Admission: JPY5,000 or 5,500
Website: Maiko3.com
Each of Kyoto’s five geisha districts holds a major series of dance performances once a year. Four of these happen in the spring. This one, held by the geisha houses of the northern Kamishichiken Geisha District, is very special. The scale is rather intimate and the dance is always superb. It doesn’t necessarily feel like stepping back in time, it feels more like stepping out of time. Some of Kyoto’s specialist tour companies and concierges at high-end hotels and ryokan may be able to source you tickets for these and the other geisha dances. Check out our Kyoto Geisha page for more details on Kyoto’s geisha.
1-5 April 2020 (and 29 April – 6 May 2020)
Event: Night time illumination
Location: Shoren-in Temple
Time: 6:00pm-9:30pm
Admission: JPY800
Website: Shorenin.com
Shoren-in Temple is one of the lesser-known gems of the Southern Higashiyama sightseeing district and it takes on a truly magical air when the garden is illuminated by night. Don’t miss the bamboo forest here when you go – the illumination makes it truly otherworldly. Hopefully, they’ll be some cherry trees in bloom during this period and this makes a nice combination with other illuminations in the area, such as the Cherry Blossom Illumination at Maruyama-koen Park (see below).
1-5 April 2020
Event: Night time illumination
Location: Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Admission: JPY400
Website: Kiyomizudera.or.jp
Commanding a magnificent position on a hill in the Higashiyama District, overlooking the entire basin of Kyoto, no temple is more spectacular after dark than Kiyomizu-dera Temple. A pilgrimage here to enjoy the night-time illumination is not to be missed!
1-12 April 2020
Event: Night time illumination
Location: Nijo-jo Castle
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Admission: JPY600
Website: Nijo-Jocastle.City.Kyoto.lg.jp
Nijo-jo Castle doesn’t usually make my list of favorite Kyoto spots, probably because of the crowds that pack the place, due to its spacious bus parking lot. But, at night, the atmosphere is totally different. Sure, it can still be crowded, but somehow you tend to notice the crowds less after dark. And, the sight of the castle at night is magical. It’s well worth a visit if you’re in town when this is being held. You could easily combine it with a stroll down nearby Pontocho or Kiyamachi-dori.
Cherry tree illuminated at night
1-Middle April 2020
Event: Cherry Blossom Night time illumination
Location: Maruyama-koen Park
Time: After sunset – midnight
Admission: Free
Maruyama-koen Park is cherry blossom central in Kyoto. Here is where you go to find the biggest crowds, the wildest hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties and some of the best trees in the city. It gets pretty rowdy here on weekend evenings when the blossoms are in full bloom, but it’s a pretty tame crowd. If the crowd gets to be too much, you can see refuge at the higher eastern end of the park, overlooking the madness below. If you can’t be bothered to fix up your own hanami party, just grab a seat on one of the tables in the center of the park – you just have to buy some drinks and snacks from the nearby vendors to claim a place.
1-16 April 2020
Event: Kyo Odori
Location: Miyagawacho Kaburenjo
Time: starts at 12:30pm, 2:30pm and 4:30pm
Admission: JPY2,400, 3,000, 4,900 or 5,500
Website: Miyagawacho.jp
The second largest and grandest geisha dance in Kyoto, this is put on by the Miyagawa-cho Geisha District. It’s a first-rate performance in every way and you should do everything in your power to catch a performance – it will be unforgettable. As mentioned above, some private tour operators and concierges can help you get tickets to the performances. Check out our Kyoto Geisha page for more details on Kyoto’s geisha.
Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater
1-27 April 2020
Event: Miyako Odori
Location: Minamiza
Time: starts at 12:30pm, 2:30pm and 4:30pm
Admission: JPY4,000 (Regular Seat) or 5,500 (Premium Seat)
Website: Miyako-Odori.jp
This is the mother of all geisha dances. Put on by the girls of the main Gion geisha district in a huge hall, this is a sumptuous feast for the senses. The number of geisha, the constantly changing sets, the outright bizarre sounds from the musicians and singers, it will be like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. If you can go, by all means, GO! You will not regret it. Private tour operators and concierges may be able to source you tickets. Note that the venue this year is up at the Kyoto University of Art and Design (not the usual Gion event hall). Check out our Kyoto Geisha page for more details on Kyoto’s geisha.
1-30 April 2020
Event: Gion Festival in Kyoto
Location: The Museum of Kyoto, The fourth and third floors
Time: 10:00am-6:00pm (enter by 5:30pm, Open until 7:30pm on Fridays)
Admission: JPY1,500
Closed: Mondays
Website: Bunpaku.or.jp
If you can’t be in Kyoto in July, you can learn all about the Gion Matsuri by checking out this exhibition at the Museum of Kyoto. It’s a great way to learn about this festival without the usual oppressive heat of July.
1-30 April 2020
Event: Spring Special Opening
Location: To-ji Temple
Time: 9:00am-5:00pm (enter by 4:30pm)
Admission: JPY500
Website: Toji.or.jp
Down south below Kyoto Station, To-ji Temple is one of the oldest and most interesting temples in the city. It’s a Shingon (Esoteric Buddhist) stronghold and contains some fantastic Buddhist images and treasures. For most of this month, the Homotsu-kan, or Treasure House, is open to the public. If you’re particularly interested in Buddhism, this is well worth catching.
Zen garden Korin-in
1-30 April 2020
Event: Spring Special Opening and Night time illumination
Location: Kodai-ji temple
Time: after sunset-9:30pm
Admission: JPY600
Website: Kodaiji.com
Kodai-ji Temple is a mystical place when it’s illuminated at night. The bamboo grove here looks like something out of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. People pack in for this event, but it’s worth dealing with the crowds to enjoy this sight.
The flea market in front of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Yasemin Olgunoz Berber / Shutterstock.com
1-30 April 2020
Event: Spring Special Opening
Location: Daitoku-ji Temple, Oubai-in
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
Admission: JPY800
Website: Kyotoshunju.com
Daitoku-ji Temple is actually a collection of subtemples, a walled-in world of miniature Zen paradises. The eponymous Daitoku-ji itself is very fine and is open all year round. But, if you’re here in the first 10 days of May, the make tracks for the Daitoku-ji complex because this is your chance to see what is perhaps the most spectacular subtemple there: Obai-in (sometimes written as Oubai-in in English). It’s only opened briefly in the spring and fall each year. It’s a collection of fine halls, superb karesansui (Zen gardens) and beautiful vistas from each room and window. Don’t miss it. See also Michael Lambe’s detailed Exploring Daitoku-ji article which guides you around the highlights of the complex.
1-30 April 2020
Event: Spring Special Opening
Location: Daitoku-ji Temple, Kourin-in
Time: 10:00am-4:30pm
Admission: JPY600
Website: Kyotoshunju.com
This is another lovely small garden in the Daitoku-ji complex (see above for more details). It would make a great addition to a visit to Obai-in (also above).
5 April 2020
Event: To-ji Temple Flea Market
Location: To-ji Temple
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Admission: Free
If you can’t be in town for Kyoto’s two famous flea markets (Kobo-san Market and Tenjin-san Market), this is a good choice. Like the Kobo-san Market, it’s held on the grounds of To-ji Temple. You’ll usually find a good selection of antiques at this market.
11-30 April 2020
Event: Special Exhibition: Kannon Worship: The Thirty-three Pilgrimage Sites of Western Japan
Location: Kyoto National Museum, Heisei Chishinkan Wing
Time: Tuesday-Thursday, Sunday: 9:30am-6:00pm (Enter by 5:30pm), Friday, Saturday: 9:30am-8:00pm (Enter by 7:30pm)
Admission: JPY1,600
Closed: Mondays
Website: Kyohaku.go.jp
This exhibition celebrates the 33 temples in Western Japan that form a 1300-year-old pilgrimage trail which venerates the Bodhisattva of mercy, Kannon. It is said that completing the pilgrimage is sufficient to rid oneself of bad karma and ensure rebirth in the “pure land.” The exhibition comprises a variety of treasures from the 33 temples along the route.
15 April 2020
Event: Chion-ji Temple Handicraft Market
Location: Chion-ji Temple
Time: 8:00am-4:00pm
Admission: Free
Website: Tedukuri-ichi.com
Chion-ji Temple hosts a fabulous handicraft market on the 15th of every month. It’s a great place to pick up unique, locally made souvenirs during your travels to Kyoto. It’s also a good chance to see Japan’s alternative community and local expats.
21 April 2020
Event: Kobo-san Market
Location: To-ji Temple
Time: 8:00am-4:00pm
Admission: Free
Named for Japan’s most revered Buddhist Saint, Kobo Daishi, this market is one of the two best markets in town (the other being the Tenjin-san Market, held on the 25th). You’ll find all manner of goods on sale here including used kimono, antiques, ceramics, food, bric-a-brac, old postcards and books, and assorted Japanalia. In addition to being a great market, this is also a chance to see Kyoto’s foreign community, which turns out in full, along with hoards of locals.
25 April 2020
Event: Tenjin-san Market
Location: Kitano Tenmangu
Time: 6:00am-4:00pm
Admission: Free
Like the Kobo-san market (see previous), this is one of the two best markets in town. It’s named for Sugawara no Michizane, a 9th century poet and scholar who is the patron saint of academic pursuits in Japan. Known colloquially as Tenjin-san, the market is a great excuse to visit this shrine and see people, especially school children, rubbing the two stone bulls in front of the main hall of the shrine (doing so is said to make one more intelligent). Like the Kobo-san market, this is a great chance to buy used kimono, ceramics, antiques and bric-a-brac, along with food and drink. You’ll also rub shoulders with an interesting assortment of expats and locals.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help