Aoi Matsuri

Conveying Heian Elegance to Today

Aoi Matsuri is one of Kyoto's oldest festivals with over 1,200 years of history, one of Japan's Three Great Imperial Festivals (Kamo, Iwashimizu, Kasuga festivals). Named "Aoi Matsuri" because all participants wear aoi (hollyhock) leaves.

Roto no Gi Procession

The procession departing from Kyoto Imperial Palace passes Kamigoryou Shrine and proceeds to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine. The approximately 500-person procession centered on the Saio-dai wears Heian period costumes, a scene like an animated Heian picture scroll.

Saio-dai

The annually selected Saio-dai is an ordinary citizen woman serving in place of the "Saio," the imperial princess who once served Ise Jingu or Kamo Shrine. The Saio-dai leading the procession in beautiful junihitoe (twelve-layered court kimono) is the face of Aoi Matsuri.

Tadasu no Mori Forest at Shimogamo Shrine

The grounds of Shimogamo Shrine (World Heritage), where the procession turns around, have the primeval forest "Tadasu no Mori." This sacred forest of trees hundreds of years old is a space like another world within the city.