Kyoto in June 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals
Right before the full-fledged summer begins, June is also the season of Tsuyu (rainy season). While rain is common throughout Japan, Kyoto is no exception. However, in Kyoto, with its many temples that coexist with mountains and forests, and beautifully maintained gardens, you can feel the vibrant beauty of nature everywhere, which becomes even more alive when touched by the rain.
There are many traditional events unique to this season, such as festivals praying for a good autumn harvest and firefly viewing gatherings. You can fully enjoy a distinctly Japanese atmosphere different from other seasons.
In this article, I'll share all about the diverse events not to be missed in June and their highlights for the Kyoto Event June 2025.
Traditional Kyoto Events in June 2025
Kifune Festival
Kifune Shrine, located in Kifune, often called Kyoto's inner sanctuary, has been established for more than 1,400 years. Situated at the foot of the Kifunegawa River, which is the source of the Kamogawa River that runs through Kyoto city, it boasts one of the most impressive histories in Kyoto.
In June, when the surrounding forests are brilliantly green and full of vitality, the famous Kifune Festival takes place. This annual event is held as the Gokoi Festival, a ritual where the deity changes clothes.
Visitors can witness the procession of the Mikoshi (a portable shrine in which the deity rides during festivals) and the dedication of traditional Bugaku performances, making it one of Kyoto's popular summer attractions. The sight of many people carrying the golden Mikoshi, marching vigorously while raising their voices, is truly impressive.
At the shrine grounds, you can also thoroughly enjoy Izumo Kagura, one of Japan's folk performing arts. It features a mythological drama style that recreates Japanese mythology, allowing you to experience an elegant worldview.
<Information>2024 Information
Date: June 1, 2024
Access: 6-minute walk from "Kibune" bus stop on Kyoto Bus #33, or 28-minute walk from "Kibune-guchi" Station on Eizan Electric Railway
Admission: Free
Website: https://kifunejinja.jp/
Takekiri Eshiki (Bamboo Cutting Ceremony)
Source:Yahoo! News
One of the fascinating events held at Kurama Temple in June is Takekiri Eshiki. This ceremony has continued for over 1,000 years and is one of Kyoto's oldest events.
Kurama Temple is famous as the site associated with Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a Japanese military commander who was active in the 12th century. His legendary training in martial arts from Tengu (long-nosed mountain goblins) is extremely well-known in Japanese history.
The Takekiri Eshiki is held annually on June 20th to express gratitude for water and pray for good fortune. In this unique ceremony, monk-warriors strike and cut a 4-meter long, 10-centimeter thick green bamboo that represents a great serpent.
These monk-warriors impressively evoke the image of Benkei, who was Minamoto no Yoshitsune's retainer. They form teams of two people split to the left and right, called Tanba-za (left) and Omi-za (right), competing to see which side can cut the bamboo faster. It is said that the land of the team that cuts the bamboo faster will have a bountiful harvest.
<Information>
Date: June 20, 2025 (planned)
Access: About 4-minute walk from "Kurama" Station on Eizan Electric Railway
Admission: 500 yen
Website: https://www.kuramadera.or.jp/
Rice Planting Festival (Taue Festival)
The months of May and June mark the season for "Taue," when rice seedlings are planted in paddy fields. You can observe the traditional rice planting methods at the Taue Festival held at Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous as a Kyoto tourist attraction, has been worshipped for over 1,300 years as a deity of rice cultivation and agriculture.
At the Taue Festival, Miko (female shrine attendants) perform dances praying for abundant harvests, dressed in formal attire from the Heian court that lasted approximately 400 years from the 8th century. Then, led by women called "Saotome," participants enter the shrine's rice paddies in traditional work attire and perform rice planting by hand.
The elegant dances accompanied by rhythmic rice planting create a scene reminiscent of a Japanese historical film, offering a deeply meaningful experience.
Taue Festivals have been held throughout Japan since ancient times, and it's fascinating how the customs vary by region and shrine.
<Information> 2024 Information
- Date: June 10, 2024
- Access: Directly from JR Nara Line "Inari" Station, or 5 minutes on foot from Keihan Main Line "Fushimiinari" Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://inari.jp/
Summer Purification Ritual (Nagoshi no Harae)
On June 30th, marking the halfway point of the year, a ritual called "Nagoshi no Harae" is conducted at shrines across Japan. It has spread as a purification ceremony to cleanse accumulated impurities of body and mind over the past six months and to purify past sins and mistakes.
The symbol of this ritual is the "Chi no wa" as shown in the photo. It is said that by passing through the Chi no wa set up at the shrine entrance, one can purify mind and body and ward off misfortune.
There is also a custom called "Katashiro nagashi." After transferring your body and mind's impurities and sins to a paper doll called "Katashiro," it is dedicated to the shrine as your substitute.
Nagoshi no Harae provides a good opportunity to reflect on yourself when half the year has passed so quickly. It could be described as a reset experience to make the second half of the year meaningful.
<Information>
- Date: June 30, 2025
- At various shrines
Kyoto Takigi Noh
In Kyoto, traditional events like the Aoi Festival in May and the Gion Festival in July occur one after another, making the city come alive with excitement. The Kyoto Event June 2025 includes the traditional Kyoto Takigi Noh, which has become a customary early summer attraction in Kyoto.
Kyoto Takigi Noh was established in 1950, following the Takigi Noh of Nara, an ancient capital with over 1,000 years of history. It is held annually at Heian Jingu Shrine, aiming to promote and develop Noh.
As dusk falls, "Kagaribi" (bonfires) are lit, and the vermilion buildings of Heian Jingu Shrine are illuminated. A specially set Noh stage emerges, allowing audience members to immerse themselves in the world of various schools of Noh and Kyogen (classical comedies). In the early summer breeze, as the flames of the Kagaribi flicker, combined with the open-air atmosphere, you can enjoy a mysteriously enchanting time.
<Information> 2024 Information
- Date: June 1-2, 2024
- Access: 10 minutes on foot from Exit 1 of "Higashiyama" Station on Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line, or 15 minutes on foot from "Sanjo" Station or "Jingu Marutamachi" Station on Keihan Oto Line
- Admission: 5,000 yen
- Website: https://www.heianjingu.or.jp/
Agata Festival
Source:Official website
The Agata Festival, nicknamed "Strange Festival of the Dark Night," is also a nationally famous festival. It takes place from the night of June 5th to the early hours of June 6th. It is a rather unique event where all roadside lights are extinguished and the festival is conducted in darkness, making it one of the representative customs of the Uji area.
The sight of young men carrying the Bonten mikoshi (portable shrine) while walking through the shrine grounds is impressive. The main highlight begins at midnight on the 6th, so don't miss it. The lights in the shrine grounds are also extinguished, and the secret ritual of transferring the deity to the Bonten (an object that indicates the descent of the divine spirit; in this case, 1,600 white ceremonial paper streamers) begins.
Afterward, the young men run around in front of the shrine, dramatically rotating the Bonten mikoshi or tilting it to the left and right, bringing the festival to its climax. On the 5th, about 700 night stalls are open until around 10 PM, allowing visitors to experience the lively atmosphere of a typical Japanese summer festival.
<Information>
Dates: June 5-6, 2025 (tentative)
Access: 9-minute walk from JR Nara line "Uji" station, 10-minute walk from Keihan Uji line "Uji" station
Admission: Free
Website: https://agatajinjya.com/
Aoba Festival
The Aoba Festival celebrates the births of Kobo Daishi Kukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism (one of the Buddhist sects), and Kogyo Daishi, who helped revitalize and spread Shingon Buddhism. The festival is held annually at Chishaku-in, which carries on Kobo Daishi's teachings, and the treasure hall and beautiful gardens are open to the public for free.
The shrine grounds are rich in greenery, creating an environment as natural as a park. The early summer, when the greenery is particularly vibrant, is an especially pleasant time to visit for the Kyoto Event June 2025.
The highlight of the Aoba Festival is undoubtedly the Goma Kitou (fire ritual) performed by Yamabushi (mountain ascetic practitioners).
Dressed in training garments, the Yamabushi gather, chant sutras, purify the space, and then light the Gomadan (ritual fire altar) with torches. The ceremony, performed while fanning the vigorously rising flames and smoke toward the sky with Uchiwa fans, is dynamic and full of presence.
<Information>
Dates: June 15, 2025 (tentative)
Access: 9-minute walk from Keihan Main line "Shichijo" station, 15-minute walk from JR Nara line and Keihan Main line "Tofukuji" station
Admission: Free on the festival day
Website: https://chisan.or.jp/
Special Experiences Only in June in Kyoto
Ryosokuin Temple - Early Summer Garden Special Opening
Source:Official website
Located within Kenninji Temple, Kyoto's oldest Zen temple, is Ryosokuin. Often used as a venue for photo exhibitions and art shows, it is known for its magnificent Japanese garden. In June, when the white Hangeshou (Halfleaf Japanese Maple) that adorns the garden pond reaches its peak, Ryosokuin, which is normally closed to the public, opens specially for the Kyoto Event June 2025. Hangeshou is a plant whose leaves are white only on the surface, creating a refreshing landscape with the contrast between lush green leaves and white.
In the inner tea room, you can enjoy Matcha while gazing at this scenery. This period coincides with the Tsuyu (rainy season), but the sight of rain-soaked plants shining vividly is also atmospheric. Spending a relaxing, quiet time at a temple is one of the quintessential pleasures of traveling in Kyoto.
<Information>2024 Information
Dates: June 1 - July 14, 2024
Access: 7-minute walk from Keihan Main line "Gion Shijo" station, 10-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto line "Kawaramachi" station
Admission: 1000 yen
Website: https://ryosokuin.com
Kyoto Antique Fair
Source:Kazariya
Kyoto hosts temple flea markets every month. Among them, the Kyoto Antique Fair held three times a year in spring, early summer, and autumn has become the largest event in western Japan and has been a regular tradition for over 20 years.
The spectacle of more than 300 shops from all over the country gathering with over 150,000 items on display is truly impressive. The genres are diverse, ranging from Japanese antiques and art to furniture, paintings, Asian goods, and Western antiques, making it well worth a visit.
Even those who aren't antique enthusiasts can enjoy it, and many young women visit with a flea market mindset. With plenty of rare Japanese antiques such as tea ceremony tools, Ukiyoe, and armor, why not enjoy a treasure hunt that's different from ordinary souvenirs?
Don't miss this incredible Kyoto Event June 2025, where the audience of tourists and locals alike can explore unique treasures in a historic setting!
<Information> 2024 Information
Dates: June 28-30, 2024
Access: Take the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma line or Kintetsu Kyoto line to "Takeda" station, free shuttle bus available from West Exit No. 4 to the venue
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.gomoku-do.com/
Natural Attractions of Kyoto in June
Hydrangea Festival and Hydrangea Garden Opening [Fujinomori Shrine]
In June, colorful Ajisai (hydrangeas) bloom across Japan. There are temples and shrines throughout the country where you can appreciate their ephemeral beauty.
Fujinomori-jinja Shrine, an ancient shrine with close ties to the imperial family established about 1,800 years ago, is one such place. It is also known as a shrine for victory and horses, attracting many jockeys and horse racing professionals.
With approximately 3,500 hydrangea plants covering the shrine grounds, this is definitely a place to visit during this season.
During the Ajisai Festival held on weekends during this period, you can experience elegant ancient Japanese customs such as Kencha (tea offering ceremony to gods and Buddha), Kagura (sacred music and dance performances), and Kemari (a game played in Japanese aristocratic society).
In fact, in ancient times when medical technology was not established, many people died of epidemics during the Tsuyu (rainy season) in June. It is said that hydrangeas were planted at temples as a memorial to these deceased.
Make sure to add this spectacular hydrangea viewing to your itinerary for the Kyoto Event June 2025! The beautiful displays will captivate any audience of tourists looking to experience traditional Japanese culture.
<Information> 2024 Information
Schedule: Ajisai Festival/June 15, 2024, Ajisai Garden Opening/June 1, 2024 for about 1 month
Access: 5 minutes walk from JR Nara line "Fujimori" station, 7 minutes walk from Keihan Main line "Sumizome" station
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.fujinomorijinjya.or.jp/
Appreciating Sara Flowers Event
At Torinin, also known as the "Temple of Sarasoju," you can enjoy scenery unique to this season. This normally private temple has a garden composed of a dozen Sarasoju trees, which bloom with white Tsubaki-like flowers during the rainy season.
Sara flowers are also called "one-day flowers" because they bloom in the morning and scatter by evening. The sight of these flowers scattered whole on the moss-covered garden creates an ephemeral yet elegant atmosphere.
As Sarasoju symbolizes impermanence in Buddhism (the concept that everything in this world continuously changes and nothing exists forever), you will witness the principles of the natural world firsthand.
During this period, while appreciating the Sara flowers, you can also slowly savor Maccha and Shojinryori (cuisine made only with plant-based ingredients such as vegetables and tofu, which originated as meals for Buddhist monks adhering to religious precepts).
The Kyoto Event June 2025 will offer visitors a wonderful opportunity to experience this traditional Japanese appreciation of seasonal beauty. The audience of tourists will be particularly moved by this authentic cultural experience that connects them to Japan's spiritual traditions.
<Information>2024 Information
Dates: June 10-23, 2024
Access: About 5 minutes walk from "Myoshinji" station on Keifuku Electric Railroad Kitano line
Admission: Free
Firefly Tea Ceremony
Source:Official website
Tadasu no mori is the sacred forest surrounding the shrine of Shimogamo Jinja Shrine. Despite being located in the middle of Kyoto city, it preserves an ancient primeval forest, enveloped in a mystical mood and solemn atmosphere that has been cherished by locals for a long time.
Shimogamo Jinja Shrine was enshrined here before 90 BC, and its historical depth is overwhelming. In early summer evenings, fireflies living in the forest fly about, and the "Hotarubi no Chakai" (Firefly Light Tea Ceremony) is held. From the afternoon, the "Tadasu no mori noryo ichi" takes place, where about 20 established shops of Kyoto cuisine and confectionery gather.
The tea ceremony held from evening is basically by invitation only, but reservations can be made if there are vacancies. Forest walks can be enjoyed freely, so please experience the fantastic atmosphere of firefly lights dancing in the early summer night sky.
This event will be a highlight of the Kyoto Event June 2025 calendar, drawing an enthusiastic audience of tourists from around the world who seek authentic Japanese cultural experiences.
<Information>2024 Information
Date: June 8, 2024
Access: 12 minutes walk from "Demachiyanagi" station on Keihan Main line, or take City Bus routes 1 or 205 from "Kitaoji" station on Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma line and get off at "Shimogamo jinja-mae" or "Tadasunomori-mae"
Admission: Free
Website: https://tadasunomori.or.jp/
