It may still be chilly, but the first warmth of spring comes to Kyoto in February, and with it, the first plum blossoms too. There’s also the fascinating Setsubun festival, which is celebrated at shrines around the city.
10 January-18 March 2025
Event: To-ji Temple Pagoda Winter Special Opening
Location: To-ji Temple
Time: 8:30am-5:00pm (enter by 4:30pm)
Admission: ¥800
Website: Official website (Japanese)
It’s not normally possible to enter the beautiful pagoda at To-ji Temple, but during this special opening, you can enter the first (ground) floor of the pagoda to examine some of the fine Buddhist images contained therein.
1-2 February 2025
Event: Setsubun Festival
Location: Yasaka Shrine
Time: from 9:00am (ceremony starts at 1:00pm on the 1st and 11:00am on the 2nd)
Admission: Free
Website: Official website (Japanese)
Setsubun marks the beginning of spring according to the old lunar calendar in Japan. Because it marks a new beginning, it’s the time to caste off old bad things and invite in good new things. At homes, people throw roasted soybeans out the door of their houses while shouting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (Devils out! Good luck in!).
People also commonly eat one roasted soybean for each year of their life, plus another for good luck in the coming year. Some temples and shrines also hold Setsubun celebrations and the one held at Kyoto’s Yasaka-jinja Shrine is a great one, because the soybeans are thrown by geisha from the nearby Gion geisha district (Yasaka-jinja is considered the “patron shrine” of Gion).
Beans are thrown from the main stage at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00pm on February 2nd and 3rd. If you’re in town, it’s highly recommended and good fun (and maybe also good luck!).
Note that if you can’t make this festival or the following one, there’s another good one held at Heian-jingu Shrine (ask at your lodgings for details).
1-3 February 2025
Event: Setsubun Festival
Location: Yoshida Shrine
Time: 8:00am-around midnight
Admission: Free
Website: Official website (Japanese)
Another interesting Setsubun festival is held at Yoshida-jinja Shrine, on the west slope of Yoshida-yama, above Kyoto University. A huge fire festival will be held on the afternoon of 2 February where visitors can bring their old fortunes and votive tablets to be burned in preparation for new ones. It’s a pretty spectacular sight. Besides this, people gather on the evening of 1 February to throw beans at performers dressed as devils. There are also plenty of stalls selling food and drinks.
2 February 2025
Event: “Garakuta-ichi,” To-ji Temple Flea Market
Location: To-ji Temple
Time: 7:00am-4:30pm
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.
3 February 2025
Event: Setsubun Festival
Location: Tenryu-ji Temple
Time: 8:30am-4:30pm
Admission: ¥500
Website: Official website (Japanese)
This event, somewhat similar to the one held at Yasaka-jinja (see above), is another good place to celebrate Setsubun. It’s also a good way to check out the lovely garden at this fine Arashiyama temple.
Early February To End March 2025
Event: Baien Opening
Location: Kitano Tenmangu
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
Admission: Free (Plum Garden at ¥800; Baikasai tea ceremony on 25 February at ¥1500)
Website: Official website (English)
In mid-to-late February, the plum blossoms start to bloom in Kyoto, which marks the real beginning of spring in Kyoto (preceding the cherry blossoms by a few weeks). Kyotoites, who are intensely conscious of the seasons, welcome the arrival of the plum blossoms with something approaching religious fervor (and you’ll see plum motifs of sweets in all the shops).
Starting in early February, Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine opens its famous plum garden and crowds descend on it to gaze in wonder at the pink and white blossoms and enjoy their bubble-gum-like fragrance. It’s a nice way to mark the coming of spring in Kyoto and the adjoining shrine is always lovely. If you’re in Kyoto on 25 February, the shrine hosts the Baikasai (Plum Blossom Festival), where the highlight is seeing geiko and maiko from the Kamishichiken District nearby serve tea in an outdoor tea ceremony. Tickets to this event cost ¥1500.
8 February 2025
Event: Candlelight: A Tribute to Joe Hisaishi
Location: Kyoto Kanze Kaikan Noh Theater
Time: 5:15pm
Admission: From ¥4400
Website: Tickets (English)
Do you love Studio Ghibli films? Then you won’t want to miss this concert in early February. As the name suggests, this musical performance takes place in an atmospheric candlelit setting. Let a string quartet immerse you in some of award-winning composer Joe Hisaishi’s most iconic pieces, from Chihiro’s Waltz (Spirited Away) and Merry-Go-Round of Life (Howl’s Moving Castle) to Path of the Wind (My Neighbour Totoro) and A Town with an Ocean View (Kiki’s Delivery Service). The show lasts for 1 hour and 5 minutes.
8-11 February 2025
Event: Hatsuuma Daikondaki
Location: Sanzen-in Temple
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Admission: ¥700
Website: Official website (English)
Held at the beautiful Sanzen-in Temple, in the village of Ohara (about 30 minutes north of Kyoto by bus), this festival is held to pray for a happy and healthy New Year and to help people endure the long winter. Daikon (long Japanese radishes) are prepared and served to temple goers and special Buddhist ceremonies are performed in the temple halls.
15 February 2025
Event: Chion-ji Temple Handicraft Market
Location: Hyakumanben Chion-ji Temple
Time: 8:00am-4:00pm
Admission: Free
Website: Official website (Japanese)
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.
15 February-23 March 2025
Event: Feature Exhibition: Celebrating the Japanese Doll Festival
Location: Kyoto National Museum, Heisei Chishinkan Wing (The Collections Galleries), Galleries 1F-2
Time: 9:30am–5:00pm (Last entry 4:30pm); 9:30am–8:00pm on Fridays. Closed Mondays.
Admission: ¥700
Website: Official website (Japanese)
Held to celebrate the Hina Matsuri Festival on March 3, when families display traditional Japanese dolls, this special exhibition traces the evolution of hina dolls across the centuries. This is a must for fans of Japanese traditional dolls.
21 February 2025
Event: Kobo-san Market (Hatsu Kobo)
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 hordes of locals.
25 February 2025
Event: Tenjin-san Market (Hatsu Tenjin)
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
- 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
