Celebrating Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto

Posted Sunday, April 27, 2008, 7:45 PM by Lonely Planet



Visiting Kyoto in May? Well don't miss the annual Aoi Matsuri (hollyhock festival), a grand procession of Heian-era costume garbed folk from the Imperial Palace to the Shimo-gamo and Kami-gamo shrines.

If you're lucky enough to be in the city at this time you can even catch a rare glimpse of the local maiko and geisha when they perform the Kamogawa Odori, or Kamo river dances.


Performed at Ponto-cho's Kaburen-jo theatre since 1872, the dances combine traditional dance, kabuki-like theatre, singing and the playing of traditional instruments and are the closest you will get to these famed figures without a tonne of yen and a teahouse introduction!

The Aoi Matsuri takes place every year on May 15 at 10.30am and follows a course through the streets of Kyoto from the Imperial Palace to the Shimo-gamo Shrine and then the Kami-gamo Shrine.

The Kamogawa Odori are performed from May 1 - 24 every year and tickets are between 3000 to 5000 yen. Call Ponto-cho Kaburen-jo Theatre on 075-221-2025 for details.

- Emma Henderson

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