Latest Events in Kyoto(June Updated)

Legend has it that the Kannon (Avalokitesvara) of Kiyomizu-dera Temple transforms into a blue dragon, and drinks water from the waterfall within the temple grounds at night. Therefore, the Yaksha (demon) is also worshipped there. This event is held specifically because of this legend, and also to pray for the well-being of those who come to worship. This dancing blue dragon parades from Okuno to the cobblestone streets surrounding Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The blue dragon is considered one of the four sacred guardians of Kyoto. Besides the giant blue dragon, there are men dressed in traditional samurai attire, and the streets are filled with music and spectacular dances. It's truly amazing! Lunar New Year is on March 15th and April 3rd. Autumn is on October 15th, starting at 2:00 PM (2 PM).

During the Heian period, nobles would hold purification ceremonies at the changing of the seasons to cleanse themselves of sins and impurities. This has now become a traditional custom in Kyoto during the summer, with many believers coming to pray for good health and freedom from disease. Visitors enter the sacred pond within the temple barefoot to pay homage to the god of purification, and then drink the holy water to cleanse their minds and bodies. In front of the main gate, tents for the summer festival are erected along the streets, filled with stalls from famous Kyoto shops, including those selling Mitarashi dango (glutinous rice dumplings drizzled with sweet soy sauce).

Although the Jidai Matsuri at Heian Shrine is a relatively new tradition, it is considered one of Kyoto's three major festivals, held annually on October 22nd at noon. Heian Shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of Kyoto's founding and to promote Kyoto's revival after the capital was moved to Tokyo in 1868. At that time, the Emperor, members of the Imperial Family, and most government officials also moved to Tokyo, and Kyoto's future was uncertain. The Jidai Matsuri was originally a celebration of Kyoto's history and traditional arts, as well as a ceremony to honor two emperors closely associated with the unification of Japan and the consolidation of imperial power. The main event of the festival is a two-kilometer-long, five-hour parade featuring countless volunteers dressed in historical costumes showcasing Japanese cultural history from the Meiji era to the Enryaku era in the 780s. These costumes are meticulously restored and researched, even using techniques from a thousand years ago for fabric production and dyeing, making the entire parade resemble a living history museum. The parade included not only famous historical figures and princesses, but also samurai, monks, politicians, merchants, and ordinary people—a diverse group of people in total.

This exhibition will showcase the works of Yumeji, a star of Taisho-era modern popular culture who was beloved by the general public. It will also feature depictions of urban life, modern landscapes, and avant-garde and playful worlds by Showa-era painters and printmakers (such as Kawanishi Ei and Onji Koshiro), who greatly admired Yumeji.

This exhibition explores the dynamic evolution of British art from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. After going through the Thatcher era (1979–1990), a charged and uncertain social climate gave rise to a new generation of artists who challenged traditional norms and embraced bold, experimental practices. Many of the newer generation of artists who came to prominence in the 1990s were referred to in the art and popular media under the title Young British Artists (YBAs). Alongside other artists active at the time, these artists explored themes such as popular culture, personal identity, and shifting social structures. They worked across a diverse range of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, video, and installation. Featuring around 90 works by approximately 50 artists, the exhibition traces the radical creativity and groundbreaking approaches that redefined British art in the 1990s. What is YBA?The label Young British Artists (YBAs) is applied to a loose group of British artists who began to exhibit together in 1988 and who became known for their openness to materials and processes, shock tactics and entrepreneurial attitude. Many artists active in the 1990s rejected the label.

The film festival will be held from August 7th (Friday) to 9th (Sunday), 2026, at the Kyoto Museum of Culture Cinema Theater, lasting three days. From the films screened to the organizers and jury, "children" are at the heart of this year's festival. In addition to a selection of high-quality Japanese and international films, the festival also offers a wide range of viewing options for adult audiences. One highlight is the live dubbing performance by the theater troupe "Tottemo Benri".