March – the much awaited beginning of spring.
Year-round, Kyoto plays host events of all kinds, from traditional Japanese festivals to hip markets and concerts. However, due to the recent outbreak of the coronavirus, many of the events in March have been canceled.
In this article, we’ll be looking at exactly which March festivals and events will no longer be held.
Shimogamo Shrine’s Nagashibina is said to have started in Japan’s Heian period. The event sees influential members of the local government and community, as well as geiko and maiko, float little colored paper dolls down the river on woven baskets. The floating of the dolls serves as a prayer for the health of one’s daughters and is supposed to attract bad luck away from them.
While nagashibina use colored paper for its two male and female dolls, most modern hina dolls are displayed on step-like displays called hina-dan.
Date: March 3 – canceled
Location: Shimogamo Shrine
Admission: Free
| Address | 59, Shimogamo Izumigawacho, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 606-0807 |
|---|---|
| Event time | Ceremony: from 11 a.m. Nagashibina: from 12 a.m. |
The Higashiyama Hanatoro is a recent addition to the Kyoto seasonal event calendar that’s centered around “lights.”
The event itself features 2,500 LEDs and ikebana flowers that bring the nighttime streets of the Higashiyama area to life.
The most popular part of the event is the Kitsune no Yomeiri Junko – fox wedding procession. During this event, a fox masked bride donning a traditional white wedding kimono rides a rickshaw through the lantern lined streets of the Higashiyama area. The lights, flowers and procession of this event provide visitors with a glimpse at an eerily different side of nighttime Kyoto.
Date: March 6 (Fri) – 15 (Sun) – Canceled
Time: 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: Higashiyama area (the 5 km stretch between the Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Shoren-in Monzeki Temple)
Admission: Free
*The Kodai-ji and Entoku-in temples’ nighttime viewings/light-up events (March 6 – May 6) are to be held as planned.
| Address | Higashiyama area (In the north from Shoren-in Temple to the Maruyama Park, through Yasaka Shrine, and in the south to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Many temples and shrines along the route are illuminated) |
|---|---|
| Event time | 6 pm to 9:30 pm |
COSJOY is a cosplay event held at the Kyoto International Manga Museum that brings together the retro feel of the former elementary school that houses the museum and your favorite anime and manga characters. COSJOY is open for anyone to participate, so if you’re a cosplayer from overseas, then feel free to join in the fun too!
Date: March 7 (Sat) – Canceled
Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: The Kyoto International Manga Museum
Admission: ¥1,000
*admission fee applies to photographers too.
**admission to the museum not included.
Museum admission: Adults: ¥800｜Junior/senior high school students: ¥300｜elementary school students: ¥100
| Address | Karasuma-Oike, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0846 Japan |
|---|---|
| Event time | 10:00am-5pm |
The Umekoji Park Handicrafts Market is a market of handmade goods held on the first Saturday of every month. Sisters with the Hyakumanben Handicrafts Market, the Umekoji market offers everything from everyday lifestyle goods and pottery to nibbles like cakes, baked goods and even traditional Japanese sweets.
There’s a ton of stalls, so take your time exploring and see if you can’t find something that catches your eye.
Date: March 7 (Sat) – Canceled
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Umekoji Park
Admission: Free
| Address | Umekoji Park |
|---|---|
| Event time | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. |
Started in late 2012, the Heian Raku Ichi Market is a handicraft market featuring up to 250 stalls selling original hand made goods like accessories and Japanese sweets.
Taking place on the second Saturday of every month at the Okazaki Park, the Heian Raku Ichi Market offers plenty of room for you to browse the multitude of stalls at your own pace and an awesomely vibrant atmosphere.
Date: March 7 (Sat) – Canceled
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Okazaki Park
Admission: Free
| Address | Okazaki Saishojicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8342 |
|---|---|
| Event time | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
Every spring, the Chion-in Temple hosts a special night viewing where it illuminates its swaths of beautiful cherry blossoms trees and gardens. The two specific highlights of the event are the famous Showa period rock garden, Yuzen-en, and designated national treasure Sanmon gate.
Date: March 27 (Fri) – April 5 (Sun) – Canceled
Time: 5:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: Chion-in Temple
Admission: Adults: ¥800｜Children: ¥400
| Address | 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City 605-8686 |
|---|---|
| Event time | Spring: 5:45-9:30 p.m. (Entrance until 9 p.m.) Autumn: 5:30-9:30 p.m. (Entrance until 9 p.m.) |
Zuishin-in Temple’s Hanezu Odori is a dance based on the legend of Ono Komachi and features girls in pink kosode kimono wearing hats with red plum blossoms on them.
In Japanese, hanezu refers to the pink or light red color of plum blossoms.
Usually, the striking colors of the flowers and traditional garbs dazzles the many who gather to see the performance.
Date: March 29 (Sun) – Canceled
Time: 11 a.m.｜12:30 p.m.｜1:30 p.m.｜3 p.m.
Location: Zuishin-in Temple
Admission: Adults: ¥800｜Children: ¥400
| Address | 35, Ono Goryocho, Yamashina Ward, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 607-8257, Japan |
|---|---|
| Event time | Hanezu Odori: At 11AM, 00:30PM, 1:30PM, 3PM |
 |
Vanessa[ Sharing Kyoto Staff ] |
|---|
