Kyoto in January 2027 — Festivals & Events

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

🎪 Matsuri Festivals

Toka Ebisu (Kyoto Ebisu Shrine)

January 8-12 (the shrine's annual rites; 2027 opening hours not yet posted)

Toka Ebisu at Kyoto Ebisu Shrine near Gion runs over five days of rites: Shofuku-sai on the 8th, Yoi-Ebisu on the 9th, the main Toka Ebisu festival on the 10th, Nokori-fuku on the 11th and Teppuku-sai on the 12th. In the 2026 schedule the shrine stayed open all night on the 9th and 10th. The 2027 opening hours have not yet been posted.

Access: Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line)

See details →

🏨 Hotels nearby🎟 Tours & tickets

Kemari-hajime at Shimogamo Shrine

January 4

Kemari-hajime is the first kemari performance of the year at Shimogamo Shrine, held every January 4 after a Shinto ritual. The Kyoto Kemari Preservation Society performs, with players in eboshi caps kicking a deerskin ball in groups of 6 to 8. JNTO's 2025 events calendar listed a 13:30 start.

Access: Demachiyanagi Station (Keihan Line), about 12 minutes on foot; City Bus 4 or 205 to Shimogamo-jinja-mae stop

See details →

🏨 Hotels nearby🎟 Tours & tickets

Hatsu-Kobo at Toji Temple

January 21

Hatsu-Kobo is the first Kobo-san market of the year at Toji, held on the 21st of every month in honour of Kobo Daishi. About 1,000 stalls fill the temple grounds, selling antiques, potted plants, secondhand books and everyday goods. JNTO's 2025 events calendar listed it from 8:00 to 15:00.

Access: Toji Station (Kintetsu Kyoto Line), about 10 minutes on foot; JR Kyoto Station Hachijo exit, about 15 minutes

See details →

🏨 Hotels nearby🎟 Tours & tickets

Hatsu-Tenjin at Kitano Tenmangu

January 25

Hatsu-Tenjin is the first Tenjin-ichi market of the year at Kitano Tenmangu, held on January 25. According to the shrine, about 1,000 stalls fill the grounds and roughly 150,000 people visit. Many students and parents come to pray for success in entrance exams and to write wishes on ema plaques.

Access: Kitano-Hakubaicho Station (Keifuku Randen), about 5 minutes on foot; City Bus 50 from JR Kyoto Station (about 35 minutes) to Kitano Tenmangu-mae

See details →

🏨 Hotels nearby🎟 Tours & tickets

Omato Archery Tournament at Sanjusangendo (Toshiya)

Mid-January (2027 date not yet announced)

The Sanjusangendo Omato national archery tournament is a New Year archery event inspired by the Edo-period Toshiya tradition, held on the temple grounds in Higashiyama Ward. About 2,000 archers from across Japan take part, and the 2026 edition was held on Sunday, January 18, while the 2025 edition was listed for January 12. JNTO's calendar listed admission as free.

Access: Municipal bus 206 or 208 from JR Kyoto Station to the Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae stop

See details →

🏨 Hotels nearby🎟 Tours & tickets