Ultimate Kyoto Events October 2025 Guide: Jidai Matsuri, Kurama Fire Festival & Complete Festival Calendar
Kyoto was once the capital of Japan for over a thousand years and is still a city where traditional culture thrives vibrantly. The scenery woven by temples, shrines, traditional townhouses, and nature throughout the four seasons invites visitors into ancient Japan.
October in particular is a season when the heat somewhat subsides, and the entire city shows a calm and settled atmosphere in the clear air. Traditional events that color the seasons are held one after another throughout various areas of Kyoto.
This time, as someone who lives in Kyoto, I will carefully select and introduce festivals and events that I would like you to experience during your autumn trip.
2025 Year-round Event Schedule in Kyoto↓
・Kyoto Festivals 2025: Traditional Events, Seasonal Celebrations, and More
Takashi Nakadomari
5 Traditional Kyoto Festivals in October That the Author Eagerly Awaits
Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)
Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) is one of Kyoto's three major annual festivals. This festival began in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of Kyoto becoming the capital. About 2,000 people parade from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine.
The people participating in the procession wear costumes from their respective eras. The costumes are precisely recreated based on historical materials and are truly authentic. Horses and ox-carts also appear, and many historical figures make appearances as well.
The procession progresses as if going back through the ages one by one. I felt as if I was watching a moving picture scroll.
This is a perfect festival for those who want to see and feel Kyoto's history with their own eyes and experience it firsthand.
Information:
- Date: October 22, 2025
- Access: [Transportation details not specified in original]
- Admission: Free (paid viewing seats available)
- Website: https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/single.php?event_id=7049 (Reference: 2024 information)
Kurama no Hi Matsuri (Kurama Fire Festival)
source：Wikipedia
Kurama no Hi Matsuri is a traditional event held in the Kurama area in the mountainous region of northern Kyoto city. People gather with large torches and parade through the settlement surrounded by firelight.
This fire festival is based on an ancient ceremony to welcome the gods. Originally, when the god came to this land from another place, local people lit torches to welcome them.
When I first saw this festival, I felt as if I had wandered into the world of ancient mythology.
The sight of children and young people walking with fire while making distinctive calls is very impressive. The scene where the mikoshi (portable Shinto shrine) rushes down the stone steps and the contrast between the darkness of night and flames are also spectacular.
This is a festival I would like those who want to feel the power of tradition and nature to visit.
Information:
- Date: October 22, 2025
- Access: From JR Kyoto Station, take JR Nara Line to "Tofukuji" Station, transfer to Keihan Main Line, then transfer again at "Demachiyanagi Station" to Eizan Electric Railway Kurama Line. Get off at "Kurama" Station (immediate vicinity)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/single.php?event_id=4978 (Reference: 2024 information)
More Detailed Information About "Kurama Area"
・Kurama Dera Travel Guide: Kyoto's Wonder-working Temple
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Kasagake Shinji at Kamigamo Shrine
Kasagake Shinji is a dedication ceremony of ancient Japanese equestrian archery performed at Kamigamo Shrine. Archers dressed in traditional Japanese Bushi (warrior) costumes ride running horses while drawing their bows and releasing arrows at targets. It is one of the practical martial arts that requires speed and accuracy.
The archers demonstrate "Tōkasagake," where they aim at targets horizontally from horseback, and "Kokasagake," where they aim at targets placed on the ground.
A single shot released while drawing an arrow on a horse at full speed brings tension to the venue. When the arrow hits the target, cheers rise from the audience. I couldn't take my eyes off that powerful display.
This is a valuable experience to touch Japanese Bushidō. Please experience this event where tradition and skill live and breathe at the actual site.
Information:
- Date: October 19, 2025
- Access: Take subway Karasuma Line to "Kitaoji Station," then take city bus route 37 to "Kamigamo Misono-bashi," 3-minute walk
- Admission: Free (front row paid seats near the target are 500 yen)
- Website: https://www.kamigamojinja.jp/20221009656/
Zuiki Matsuri
Source:Nakagyo Ward
Zuiki Matsuri is a festival held at Kitano Tenmangū Shrine from October 1st to 5th every year to give thanks for the autumn harvest. The "zuiki" in the festival's name refers to taro stems. In the festival, a special mikoshi (portable Shinto shrine) decorated with "zuiki" on its roof appears.
The mikoshi decorated with vegetables and grains is very unique. When I saw the zuiki mikoshi, I was surprised by its distinctive beauty, which is different from what I usually see.
The highlight of the festival is undoubtedly the procession of this mikoshi. In particular, in the Kamishichiken geisha district, you can witness a special scene unique to Kyoto where geiko and maiko welcome the procession in front of traditional buildings.
This is a perfect festival for those who want to touch local life and faith.
Information:
- Date: October 1-5, 2025
- Access: From Kyoto Station, take Kyoto City Bus route 50 or 101 to "Kitano Tenmangu"
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/single.php?event_id=4906 (Reference: 2024 information)
Gokōnomiya Shrine Festival
Source:Official website
The Gokōnomiya Shinkō-sai held at Gokōnomiya Shrine in the Fushimi area is an autumn festival filled with vitality and tradition, making it one of the premier Kyoto Events October 2025.
The most famous feature is the "Hanagasa Sōsangu" (Flower Umbrella Procession). On the first and final days of the festival, large and small flower umbrellas with elaborate designs from each town make their way to the shrine for worship, creating a spectacular sight. This is also called the "Hanagasa matsuri" (Flower Umbrella Festival).
Another highlight is the special viewing opportunity of the usually private "Senhime Mikoshi" (Princess Sen's Portable Shrine). This mikoshi is considered the heaviest in Japan, and while it is no longer carried, during the festival period you can see its magnificent form up close within the shrine grounds.
This festival is perfect for those who want to thoroughly experience the community-rooted festivities and the atmosphere of historic Shinto rituals.
Information:
- Dates: October 5-13, 2025
- Access: Take the Kintetsu Kyoto Line from JR Kyoto Station, get off at "Momoyama-Goryō-mae" Station, immediately on foot
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://gokounomiya.kyoto.jp/shinkosai/shinkosai.html
More Detailed Information About "Traditional Events in Kyoto"
・Kyoto's 5 Most Spectacular Traditional Matsuri in 2025!
For Deeper Tourism Enjoyment: Recommended Guided Tours by Kyoto Experts
To truly understand Kyoto, tours with local guides are ideal. You can hear stories unique to the area about local customs, history, culture, and the background of traditional architecture, deepening your knowledge and creating unforgettable travel memories.
For example, various tours are available including bar hopping at izakayas that would be difficult to enter alone, interactions with Maiko, and matcha tea ceremony experiences. In addition to standard spots, you can visit hidden alleys and secret places known only to locals, which is one of the attractions.
This is perfect for those who want to experience a deeper side of Kyoto while interacting with local people. Since the duration and included experiences vary by tour, please check the content carefully in advance before selecting.
Information:
- Meeting Point: Varies by tour
- Tour Area: Kyoto area
- Start Time: Varies by tour
The Annual October "Special Exhibition of Kyoto's Hidden Cultural Properties" is Also Must-See!
Source:Tofukuji Temple
Every October in Kyoto, the "Special Exhibition of Kyoto's Hidden Cultural Properties" takes place, where temple and shrine buildings, gardens, and Buddhist statues that are usually off-limits are specially opened to the public. This is a precious once-a-year opportunity to view valuable cultural properties up close that are normally kept private.
Last year, I actually visited this special exhibition and picked out several particularly impressive locations from among the many venues opened to the public.
Kamigamo Shrine
You can view the National Treasures: Honden (Main Sanctuary) and Gonden (Temporary Sanctuary).
- Address: 339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Official Website: https://www.kamigamojinja.jp/
- Access: Take the subway Karasuma Line to "Kitaoji Station," transfer to city bus route 37, get off at "Kamigamo Misonobashi," 3 minutes walk
Zuishin-in Temple
You can view Buddhist statues up close from the inner sanctum of the main hall.
- Address: 35 Ono Goryōchō, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto City
- Official Website: https://www.zuishinin.or.jp/
- Access: Take Kyoto Municipal Subway from JR Kyoto Station to "Karasuma Oike Station," transfer to Tozai Line, get off at "Ono Station," 5 minutes walk
Daihōon-ji Temple (Senbon Shaka Hall)
You can feel the solemnity of historic Buddhist statues up close.
- Address: 1034 Mizomae-chō, Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Official Website: https://daihoonji.jp/
- Access: Take Kyoto City Bus route 50 from JR Kyoto Station, get off at "Kamishichiken," immediately
Chion-in Temple
You can feel the impressive structure of the National Treasure Sanmon (Main Gate) and the power of the Buddhist statues.
- Address: 400 Rinshita-chō, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Official Website: https://www.chion-in.or.jp/
- Access: Take Kyoto Municipal Subway from JR Kyoto Station to "Karasuma Oike Station," transfer to Tozai Line, get off at "Higashiyama Station," 8 minutes walk
More Detailed Information About "Temples and Shrines in Kyoto"
・Top 9 Best Temples and Shrines; Must-Visit for First-Timers!
Tō-ji Temple
The interior of the Five-storied Pagoda (National Treasure) is specially opened, where you can experience the harmony between the beauty of Japanese architecture and Buddhist statues.
- Address: 1 Kujō-chō, Minami-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Official Website: https://toji.or.jp/
- Access: 15 minutes walk from JR Kyoto Station Hachijō Exit
Special Viewing and Exhibition Events Starting in October in Kyoto
Ninna-ji Temple Rihōkan Autumn Masterpiece Exhibition
Source:Yahoo! News
The Rihōkan Museum at Ninna-ji Temple (World Heritage) houses numerous precious temple treasures.
In the 2023 autumn exhibition, commemorating the 1250th anniversary of the birth of Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai), one of the most respected monks in Japanese Buddhism, treasures related to him and materials conveying his connection to Ninna-ji Temple were displayed
. In the past, there have been exhibitions themed around "The Tale of Genji," featuring cultural properties related to the author Murasaki Shikibu.
At the Rihōkan Museum, you can have a special experience quietly touching Japanese faith and art. This is an exhibition I highly recommend for those interested in history and Buddhist culture.
Information:
- Dates: October 1 - November 30, 2025
- Access: Take the Sagano Line from Kyoto Station, 15 minutes walk from "Hanazono Station" or about 5 minutes by taxi
- Admission: 500 yen
- Website: https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/single.php?event_id=4810
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Odoi Opening
Source:Official website
"Odoi" is an earthen fortification built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the warrior who unified Japan in the 16th century, to protect Kyoto from external enemies and floods. The original form still remains on the western side of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, and in autumn it is specially opened to the public as a scenic spot surrounded by autumn leaves.
In this maple garden, you can enjoy a three-dimensional and varied landscape by looking down at the autumn leaves from atop the Odoi and looking up from below. The autumn leaves reflected on the surface of the Kamiyagawa River are also beautiful, creating a space where history and nature harmoniously blend.
While gazing at the autumn leaves and enjoying tea and Japanese sweets, I found myself completely relaxed and lost track of time.
This is recommended for those who want to leisurely savor autumn in Kyoto.
Information:
- Dates: Late October - Early December 2025
- Access: Take Kyoto City Bus route 50 from Kyoto Station, get off at "Kitano Tenmangu-mae," immediately
- Admission: Adults 1,200 yen, Children 600 yen
- Website: https://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/guidance/odoi/
More Detailed Information About "Autumn Leaves in Kyoto"
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Daitoku-ji Soken-in Temple Autumn Special Exhibition
Source:PR TIMES
Sōken-in Temple is a temple built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Sengoku Period (15th to early 17th century) to mourn the death of Oda Nobunaga. Oda Nobunaga was a military commander who aimed to unify the country. Toyotomi Hideyoshi was his retainer who inherited political power after Oda Nobunaga's death and unified Japan.
The highlight is being able to see the wooden seated statue of Lord Oda Nobunaga up close. I also saw this statue, and the statue enshrined in the quiet main hall had such powerful presence that his eyes seemed to glitter and shine, taking my breath away.
This special exhibition is recommended not only for history fans but also for those interested in Japanese samurai culture - a perfect Kyoto Event October 2025 for cultural enthusiasts.
Information:
- Dates: October 11 - November 30, 2025
- Access: From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Subway Line bound for "Kokusaikaikan," get off at "Kitaoji Station," then from Kitaoji Bus Terminal blue platform, take any of Kyoto City Bus routes 1, M1, Kita8, 204, 205, or 206, get off at "Daitoku-ji Mae," approximately 7 minutes walk
- Admission: Adults 800 yen, Junior/Senior High School students 400 yen
- Website: https://kyotoshunju.com/temple/daitokuji-sokenin/
Also Check Out "Obai-in Autumn Special Exhibition"
Ōbai-in, also located within the grounds of Daitoku-ji Temple like Sōken-in Temple, also conducts autumn-only special exhibitions. This is a temple with distinguished history, founded by Oda Nobunaga for memorial services for his father, and later expanded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The highlight is the "Jikichū-tei garden," which is said to have been designed by Sen no Rikyu, the master of tea ceremony. The garden decorated with moss and autumn leaves has a very calm atmosphere, where you can spend quiet time different from bustling tourist spots. I found it very fascinating to think that the military commanders of this era might have also arranged their hearts in such gardens.
If you visit Soken-in, definitely also visit Obai-in where you can enjoy the harmony of history and beauty - another must-see Kyoto Event October 2025.
Information:
- Dates: October 3 - December 7, 2025
- Access: From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Subway Line bound for "Kokusaikaikan," get off at "Kitaoji Station," then from Kitaoji Bus Terminal blue platform, take any of Kyoto City Bus routes 1, M1, Kita8, 204, 205, or 206, get off at "Daitoku-ji Mae," approximately 7 minutes walk
- Admission: Adults 1,000 yen, Junior/Senior High School students 500 yen
- Website: https://kyotoshunju.com/temple/daitokuji-oubaiin/
Hōgon-in Temple Autumn Special Viewing
During Hōgon-in Temple's autumn special viewing, the main hall and gardens that are usually closed to the public are opened to the general public.
The greatest highlight is the garden "Shishiku no Niwa (Lion's Roar Garden)" that incorporates the mountain ranges of Arashiyama as part of the scenery. This refers to a Buddhist term that compares Buddha's sermon to a Lion's Roar, meaning the powerful expression of truth. In the garden, there is a giant rock called "Shishi-iwa (Lion Rock)" that looks like a lion roaring.
The landscape woven by moss-covered giant rocks and colored trees is like a painting. I visited during the autumn foliage season and was moved by its beauty. This is recommended for those who want to enjoy the quiet harmony of nature and Buddhist art - an exceptional Kyoto Event October 2025 experience.
Information:
- Dates: Mid-October to Mid-December 2025
- Access:
- From JR Kyoto Station, take Kyoto City Bus route 28 and get off at "Arashiyama Tenryu-ji Mae Station," 5 minutes walk
- From JR Kyoto Station, take Kyoto Bus route 72 or 73 and get off at "Keifuku Arashiyama Ekimae," 5 minutes walk
- Get off at JR "Saga-Arashiyama Station," 10 minutes walk
- Admission: 500 yen
- Website: https://www.arashiyamahoshokai.com/event/kougenji-hougonin-akinotokubetsuhaikan
Seiryō-ji Temple Treasure Hall Autumn Special Exhibition
During the autumn special exhibition at Seiryō-ji Temple in the Sagano area, temple treasures that are usually not open to the public are specially displayed. Of particular note is the National Treasure Amida Triad.
This Buddha is said to have been carved to resemble Minamoto no Tōru, who is considered the model for Hikaru Genji, the protagonist of "The Tale of Genji." Its gentle expression and dignified appearance continue to attract people's hearts across time.
When I stood before it, I felt as if I had actually met the protagonist of my favorite story, and my heart was filled with warmth.
This space where history and story intersect is perfect for those who want to experience Japanese culture - a remarkable Kyoto Event October 2025 cultural encounter.
Information:
- Dates: October 1 - November 30, 2025
- Admission: 400 yen (Main Hall and Treasure Hall combined ticket 700 yen)
- Website: https://souda-kyoto.jp/event/detail/seiryojireihoukan-autumn.html (Reference: 2024)
More Detailed Information About "Temples and Shrines in Kyoto"
・Top 9 Best Temples and Shrines; Must-Visit for First-Timers!
In October Kyoto, Also Enjoy Nighttime Bar Hopping!
Ponto-cho is a quintessentially Kyoto area where lanterns lighting the stone-paved alleys create a charming atmosphere. In a bar hopping tour that explores hidden famous establishments in such back alleys with a local guide, you visit izakayas and standing bars that tourists alone cannot find.
You can savor Kyoto's unique flavors and atmosphere with small plate dishes using Kyoto vegetables, Japanese sake, and fragrant yakitori. Understanding of the atmospheric machiya architecture and traditional bar culture deepens by walking with a local guide.
Since Ponto-cho is a small area, you might have the chance to encounter Geiko or Maiko.
This tour is open to anyone 15 years and older, but please note that drinking is only for those 20 years and older according to Japanese law - making it a perfect evening complement to your Kyoto Event October 2025 temple visits.
Meeting Point: Gion Shijo Station, right outside of Exit 5, in front of Izumo no Okuni Statue
Tour Area: Pontocho, Gion, and Kiyamachi areas
Start Time: 17:30
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