Kyoto in April 2027 — Festivals & Events

4 events in Kyoto during April. Rooms near the biggest festivals go first, so book your stay as soon as your dates are set.

🎪 Matsuri Festivals

Oka-sai Cherry Blossom Festival (Hirano Shrine)

April 10

Oka-sai is held every year on April 10 at Hirano Shrine in Kita-ku, Kyoto. The shrine's schedule lists the rite at 10:00, a visit to the Emperor Kazan Mausoleum at 11:00 and the procession departure rite at 12:00, with a return rite at about 15:00. A historical procession of about 200 people moves through the shrine's parish area.

Access: About 7 minutes on foot north from Kitano-Hakubaicho Station (Keifuku Kitano Line), or 3 minutes north on foot from the Kinugasa Koumae bus stop.

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Kiyomizu-dera Spring Night Special Viewing

Late March to early April (2026 edition: March 27 to April 5; 2027 dates not yet announced)

Kiyomizu-dera holds a spring night special viewing (haru no yakan tokubetsu haikan) during the cherry blossom season. In 2026 it ran from March 27 to April 5, with the gate closing at 21:30 and last entry at 21:00. The temple's event page gives the cherry blossom peak as the second half of March to early April, varying by year.

Access: About 10 minutes on foot from the Gojozaka bus stop (city bus 206 or 100 from Kyoto Station).

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Miyako Odori (Gion Kobu)

Throughout April (2026: April 1 to 30; 2027 schedule not yet announced)

Miyako Odori is a spring dance performance by the geiko and maiko of Gion Kobu, Kyoto's largest maiko and geiko district, staged at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater. Kyoto's tourism site says it has been part of the city's spring traditions since 1872, and the Japan National Tourism Organization says the theater was built for the First Kyoto Exposition that year. In 2026 it ran from April 1 to 30, with admission listed at 4,000 to 7,000 yen.

Access: The theater is about 8 minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line).

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Nijo-jo Castle Sakura Festival and Night Illumination

Mid-to-late March to mid-April (2027 dates not yet announced)

Kyoto City holds the Nijo-jo Castle Sakura Festival each spring, with a night program of cherry blossom illumination and projection mapping. The 2025 festival ran from mid-March to mid-April, and the 2026 night event, SAKURA NIGHTS, ran from March 19 to April 19. The castle's website refers to a 2027 night program, but the 2027 dates have not been announced.

Access: Nijojo-mae Station (Tozai Line); about 17 minutes on foot from JR Nijo Station

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