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When do Aoi Matsuri tickets go on sale?
Tickets go on sale on fixed dates set by the organiser for each event.
The Aoi Matsuri is one of Kyoto's three great festivals: a procession in Heian-period court dress on May 15. Paid seats along the route give you a reserved view of the procession.
- Where
- Kyoto
- Price
- ¥5,000 to ¥20,000 (2026)
- Book ahead
- About six weeks: 2026 seats went on sale on April 1
Confirmed on the official site Last checked Oct 17, 2026, 12:00 JST
How hard to get: Usually sells out within days or weeks. Why we say this
Expected to open (date not announced yet)
For visits 2027-05-15 to 2027-05-16 (Aoi Matsuri procession, May 15, 2027)
How to book, step by step
- Check the sale date on the Kyoto City Tourism Association's seat page.
- At 10:00 Japan time on sale day, buy online through Ticket Pia's site, linked from the official page.
- Choose a regular seat (¥5,000 to ¥6,500) or a Royal seat (¥18,000 to ¥20,000).
- For the live commentary in English, bring your own smartphone or tablet with internet access and headphones.
- Bring a raincoat and a hat. Umbrellas, parasols and tripods aren't allowed in the seats.
Good to know for overseas visitors
- If it rains, the procession moves to May 16. The decision is announced around 18:00 the day before.
- Tickets are refunded only if the festival is cancelled, and only where you bought them.
- The 2027 sale date has not been announced. We will update this page when it is.
Where it is
Sold out? Other ways in
- Watch from the street for free along the route
- Jidai Matsuri seats in October
FAQ
When do Aoi Matsuri seats go on sale?
In 2026 they went on sale at 10:00 Japan time on April 1. The 2027 date has not been announced yet.
Sources
- kyoto.travel: “From April 1 (Wed), 10 AM (JST), 2026” (checked 2026-10-17)
- kyoto.travel: “In case of rain, the procession will be postponed to May 16th.” (checked 2026-10-17)
The 2026 sale date is from the Kyoto City Tourism Association's official site. The 2027 date is not announced yet; we show the 2026 date as a guide.
How hard to get (“Usually sells out within days or weeks”): Estimate by comparison with the Gion and Jidai Matsuri, where the best seats sold out within weeks; Aoi Matsuri sales have not been tracked yet.
Rule changes
- 2026-10-17: Added. 2026 seats went on sale April 1 at 10:00 JST (official page).