Culture & Walks
Festivals & Seasons
Pontocho lets you feel Kyoto's seasons and festivals up close. Highlights include the Gion Matsuri float preliminaries, Kamogawa Odori, and summer kawadoko.
Gion Matsuri Season
Gion Matsuri runs each July, busy around Shijo and Yasaka Shrine. Pontocho is a walkable base, and you can enjoy the lantern-lit preliminaries and floats from the lane.
Schedules and events vary by year, so check the latest listings.
Kamogawa Odori & Kawadoko
Kamogawa Odori is Pontocho's spring performance, mainly at the Kaburenjo. Summer kawadoko runs roughly May to September along the Kamo River.
Both vary by year; check the organizer's or tourist information's official sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it crowded during Gion Matsuri?
The July preliminaries and parade days are especially busy. Mornings or weekdays are easier to walk.
When does kawadoko start?
Typically May to September, but it shifts by year. Please check the latest information.
Last updated: 2026-10-27