Month by Month - Kyoto - page 39

May
May is one of the best months to visit Kyoto. It's warm and sunny, and the blossoms are out wherever you go. Note
the dates of the Golden Week holidays (29 April to 5 May) and book well in advance.
Yabusame at Shimogamo-jinja
The annual yabusame (horseback archery) event on 3 May is one of the most exciting spec-
tacles in Kyoto. Held on Tadasu-no-mori, the tree-lined approach to Shimogamo-jinja
( CLICK HERE ), the action runs from 1pm to 3.30pm.
Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival)
One of Kyoto's leading festivals involves a procession of imperial messengers in ox carts
and 600 people dressed in traditional costume; hollyhock leaves are carried or used as dec-
oration. The procession leaves around 10am on 15 May from the Kyoto Imperial Palace (
CLICK HERE ) and heads for Shimogamo-jinja ( CLICK HERE ) where ceremonies take place. It
sets out again at 2pm and arrives at Kamigamo-jinja ( CLICK HERE ) at 3.30pm.