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A visit to Kyoto in March or April isn’t complete without some sakura (cherry blossom) viewing, but did you know that Kyoto’s spring charm goes well beyond the iconic cherry blossom experience? Spring in Kyoto also means maiko and geiko dance performances, river cruises and flavourful spring delicacies, all of which are equally excitingeasons to visit Japan’s ancient capital at this time of the year. Below, we have selected some of our favourite Kyoto spring activities for travellers to enjoy this year.

Enjoy Maiko and Geiko Spring Dance Performances: Haru-no-Odori, the spring dance performances hosted by the historic maiko and geiko districts, add flowery sparkles to Kyoto’s spring. Four of the traditional maiko and geiko quarters of Kyoto called Kagai; Gion Kobu, Miyagawacho, Pontocho and Kamishichiken; will be holding their annual performances on their Kaburenojo stages and other facilities from late March to May.

Since each district belongs to a different school of dance and performs different dance pieces, you could also try out multiple places and enjoy comparing the different styles.

Miyako Odori (Gion Kobu): April 1 – April 30
Kamogawa Odori (Pontocho): May 1 – May 24
Kyo Odori (Kyoto Art Theater) April 1 – April 9
Kitano Odori (Kamishichiken): Mar 20 – April 2 (Japanese)

*Tickets for Miyako Odori and Kitano Odori are also available at Kyoto Tourist Information Centre “Kyo Navi”.

Gion Corner (next to the main theatre of Gion Kobu Kaburenjo) is a theatre where you can enjoy a performance program showcasing a variety of traditional performing arts and traditional culture, including Kyo-mai dance by maikos, kyogen comedy, chanoyu tea ceremony and ikebana, all within one hour. Gion Corner is reopening on March 13 after being closed for a few years due to construction work.

Cruise the Lake Biwa Canal: The canal built to carry water from Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture to Kyoto, Lake Biwa Canal, is a designated Japan Heritage and Heritage of Industrial Modernization. The spring cruise is perfect for enjoying Kyoto’s fresh verdure from the waterway. This spring’s Lake Biwa Canal Cruise has been set to operate between March 25 – June 11. More information: LINK

Indulge in Kyoto’s Spring Delicacies: From freshly dug-up bamboo shoots (Takenoko), to delicious tempura made of seasonal canola blossoms (Nanohana), you’re in for a treat with Kyoto’s spring cuisine!

If you don’t want to miss out on the cherry blossoms, however, make sure you watch out for the updated version of the Kyoto Cherry Blossom Calendar 2023, scheduled to be released on 17 March. According to the Japan Weather Association, the majority of Kyoto’s cherry blossoms are expected to start blooming around 25 March.

It is expected to be very crowded during the cherry blossom season, so please use our Kyoto Travel Congestion Forecast to comfortably navigate the city and enjoy sightseeing.