You might not think that May is a good time to visit Japan, and Kyoto in particular. However, we would like to prove you wrong, for there is always something nice to do around here!
First things first, even Japanese people choose this month to travel around their own country because of the famous Golden Week Holiday that runs from April 29th until May 5th.
If you choose to come during this particular time, just be aware that there will be a lot of Japanese people travelling around Japan. You will feel like a local, but be sure to be prepared to crowds and higher prices everywhere. Definitely not the right time for last minute bookings! Travel activity has usually its peak on May 2nd, when people leave the large urban centers, and on May 5th and 6th, towards the opposite direction.
So yes, March and April have the luxury of the sakura season, but that means that in May, you will not have to deal with the same tourist crowd! You will be able to experience other aspects of the Japanese culture and in the best conditions (nice weather since the heat won’t have kicked in just yet). Here are a few ideas in Kyoto and its surroundings!
5月は日本で人気な旅行シーズンのうちの一つですよね。その中でも最も旅行が混雑するのはゴールデンウィークです！そのためその時期は京都の観光地では沢山の観光客で溢れかえります。一旦ゴールデンウィークを過ぎると3月4月などの桜シーズンに比べると、比較的混雑は避けられるでしょう。5月は気候も暖かくとても過ごしやすいので、京都を訪れるには絶好のタイミングです！なので今回は5月に京都で行われるオススメのイベントを皆さんにご紹介します～！
YABUSAME SHINJI
The Yabusame Shinji, or Mounted Archery Ritual, is conducted to pray for the safety of the procession and to purify the parade route of the upcoming Aoi Festival. Performed by archers of the Ogasawara school, a style that traces its history back about 850 years, the ritual consists in riders thundering down a 500 m lane, while firing arrows at three different targets along the way. It is a powerful visual experience, so make sure to join the cheering crowd, don`t miss it!
流鏑馬神事
流鏑馬神事は騎射とも呼ばれていて、儀式の安全を祈り、次に行われる葵祭の参列ルートを清めるために行われます。約850年前から続く長い歴史のあるスタイル、小笠原流で射手が馬にまたがり、3箇所の的に向かって矢を放ちながら凄まじい勢いで500mのレーンをかけ走ります！皆さんも是非その目で、この活気あふれた迫力を体験してみては？
When? May 3rd 2020
Where? Shimogamo shrine
Time: 1:00pm～3:30pm
Admission: Free
Website: shimogamo-jinja.or.jp
日時：2020年5月3日 13時～15時半
場所：下鴨神社
入場料：無料
Website: shimogamo-jinja.or.jp
AOI FESTIVAL
Considered one of the three most important festivals in Kyoto, the Aoi Festival takes place each year on May 15th. It is held by the important Kamo Shrines, i.e. Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine. The origins of the festival can be traced all the way back to rites performed to appease the gods and pray for bountiful harvests in the 6th century. The main attraction is the big parade of May 15th. Starting from the site of the former Imperial Palace, hundreds of participants dressed in Heian period clothing form two processions (the first parade made up of men, the second of women) and make their way to the Kamo Shrines, while performing rites and making offerings at each of them. The first procession is the Imperial Messenger’s, accompanied by court nobles, soldiers, and offerings. The second, the Imperial Princess’s, is made up of noble women, ladies in waiting, and priestesses. Watching the Aoi Matsuri go by while listening to the ox carts’ distinctive creaking allows the viewers to feel like they’ve been transported back in time to the Heian capital.
葵祭
京都三大祭の1つ、葵祭は毎年5月15日に上賀茂神社と下賀茂神社で開催されます。
その起源は古く、6世紀に行われていた、神々に豊穣を祈る儀式が基になっていると考えられています。
お祭りの最大の目玉は、平安装束を身にまとった数百人の人々が京都御所から加茂神社へと練り歩く、「路頭の儀」です。
最初の行列では、貴族や兵士、供物を従えた天皇の使者が、次の行列では、皇女とそのお世話役や巫女たちが、儀式やお供えをしながら加茂神社へと向かいます。
牛車がたてる独特な音を聞きながら葵祭りを見ていると、まるで平安時代にタイムスリップしたような気分を味わえますよ！
When? May 15th, 2020
Where? From Kyoto Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace) to Shimogamo Shrine via Kamigamo Shrine
Time: Around 10:30am ～ around 3:30pm
Admission: Viewing on the road is free.
Website: kyoto-design.jp
時期：5月15日
場所：京都御所から下賀茂神社、上賀茂神社へ。
時間：10:30～15:30
Website: kyoto-design.jp
KAMOGAWA ODORI
Kamogawa Odori is an annual dance event performed by real geisha and maiko at the Pontocho Kaburenjo Hall in May. It is a rare opportunity to admire these magnificent performers at their best. Even if you don’t speak Japanese and don’t know a lot about Japanese History, you can still enjoy this beautiful experience.
鴨川をどり
鴨川をどりは、毎年5月に先斗町歌舞練場で開催される、本物の芸者さんと舞妓さんによる舞踏劇です。彼女たちの素晴らしい舞踏を生で見ることが出来る貴重な機会ですよ！
日本語や日本の文化を超えて、世界中の方が楽しめるパフォーマンスになっています。
When? May 1st～24th 2020
Where? Pontocho Kaburenjo hall
Time? starts at 12:30pm, 2:20pm and 4:10pm
Admission? ¥2500, ¥4900 or ¥5500
Website: kamogawa-odori.com
開催期間：5月1日～24日
場所：先斗町歌舞練場
時間：午後12:30～, 14:20～, 16:10～
料金：2,500円～（席のグレードによります。）
Website: kamogawa-odori.com
KAWADOKO RYORI
And because life is also about food (or is it just ours?) how about lunch above the river? Yep, not along it, ON it! The “kawadoko ryori” (literally “meal on the river”) is a very nice experience that you can enjoy from May on, in the Kyoto area, especially in Kibune, in the north of Kyoto. There you can actually be sited a few centimeters above the water! Is there anything cooler than that?
川床料理
美味しい食事も外せない！という方は、川の上で食べる昼食はいかがでしょう？
そう、川の側ではなく、”川の上”です！川床料理は、京都市北部の貴船地域を中心に、5月頃から楽しむことが出来ます。流れる川の上に引かれた畳の上で頂く美味しい料理、これ以上に”cool”な物があるでしょうか？
Where? Kibune
How? By train via the Eizan Railways. Trains depart every 15-20 minutes
How much? Train ride is ¥430 one way. Meals go from ¥2000 to ¥3000 (depending on the restaurants)
場所：貴船神社周辺
交通手段：叡山電鉄で貴船口駅まで。
値段：貴船まで片道430円。食事料金は2000～3000円程度（店舗によります。）
MIFUNE MATSURI
Hosted by Kurumazaki Jinja, a small shrine near Arashiyama famous for worshipping gods of artistic talent, the Mifune Matsuri (Three Boats Festival) takes place on the third Sunday in May, starting at 12:30 pm. This iconic festival is well-known for the portion that takes place on the water, as the participants take to a small fleet of boats in order to recreate an elegant Heian period pastime, wherein nobles enjoyed various refined entertainments while leisurely boating about a pond. First held in 1922 to commemorate the beginning of the Showa Era, this is an annual festival with a lot of people turning out to watch and participate in the excitement.
三船まつり
「三船祭」は車折神社例祭の延長神事として昭和御大典を記念して昭和３年より始められた祭りで、毎年５月の第３日曜日に嵐山の大堰川において、御祭神である清原頼業公が活躍された平安時代の船遊びを再現します。船の上で様々な伝統芸能が披露され、選考により選ばれた女性が、「枕草子」で有名な「清少納言」に扮し、新緑の嵐山に華を添えます。1922年に初めて行われ、その時から毎年大勢の人が参加し盛り上がるお祭りです。
When? 3rd Sunday in May Where? Kurumazaki Jinja Time? 12:30pm～3pm Admission? Free Website: http://www.kurumazakijinja.or.jp/
時期：５月の第３日曜日
場所：車折神社
時間：12時半～15時
値段：無料
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