Japan · month by month
Kyoto food calendar
What is in season in Kyoto, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Kyoto
The best of January: Shiro miso ozoni and Osechi New Year boxes.
In season
- Osechi New Year boxesDec–Jan
- Kyo-yasai and yudofu
Winter Kyoto vegetables, and simmered tofu near Nanzen-ji.
Dec–Feb - YuzuDec–Feb
- Kani (Matsuba crab from Tango)Nov–Mar
Eat it now
- Shiro miso ozoniNew Year
Kyoto's New Year soup is made with white miso.
Plan around
- Closures
Nishiki Market has no market-wide closing day; each shop sets its own and many close Wednesdays. Most shops open ~9-10am and close ~17-18h. Promotion Association office closed Sundays, holidays and...
Dec–Jan
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Kyoto
The best of February: Kyo-yasai and yudofu, Yuzu, Setsubun at Yoshida-jinja.
In season
- Kyo-yasai and yudofu
Winter Kyoto vegetables, and simmered tofu near Nanzen-ji.
Dec–Feb - YuzuDec–Feb
- Kani (Matsuba crab from Tango)Nov–Mar
On the calendar
- Setsubun at Yoshida-jinja
- Kyoto Marathon Okoshi-yasu Hiroba (food villages)
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Kyoto
Peak seasonThe best of March: Sakura wagashi and Takenoko.
In season
- Takenoko (bamboo shoots)
Kyoto's prized spring shoots from Nishiyama, simmered or grilled.
Mar–May - Kani (Matsuba crab from Tango)Nov–Mar
Eat it now
- Sakura wagashicherry blossom
Pink cherry-blossom sweets at the old confectioners.
Mar–Apr
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Kyoto
Peak seasonThe best of April: Sakura wagashi and Hotaru-ika.
In season
- Hotaru-ika (firefly squid)
- Takenoko (bamboo shoots)
Kyoto's prized spring shoots from Nishiyama, simmered or grilled.
Mar–May
Eat it now
- Sakura wagashicherry blossom
Pink cherry-blossom sweets at the old confectioners.
Mar–Apr
Plan around
- Cherry blossom crowdsearly April
Book months ahead.
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Kyoto
Shoulder seasonThe best of May: Takenoko, Kawayuka riverside dining and Kamogawa Kawayuka Season.
In season
- Takenoko (bamboo shoots)
Kyoto's prized spring shoots from Nishiyama, simmered or grilled.
Mar–May - Kawayuka riverside diningMay–Sep
On the calendar
- Kamogawa Kawayuka Season
Expected 1 May-30 Sep 2027; riverside terrace dining
- Aoi Matsuri
Expected 15 May 2027, free entry; wagashi and hojicha stalls
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Kyoto
Shoulder seasonThe best of June: Minazuki, Hamo and Kawadoko dining.
In season
- Hamo (pike conger)
The summer fish of Kyoto, eaten during Gion Matsuri.
Jun–Aug - Kawayuka riverside diningMay–Sep
Eat it now
- Minazuki30 June
Triangular sweets of white jelly topped with azuki, eaten to ward off summer illness.
On the calendar
- Kawadoko diningsummer
Riverside platforms in Kibune and over the Kamogawa, from May to September.
Jun–Sep
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Kyoto
A hard monthThe best of July: Hamo, Kamonasu and Gion Matsuri.
In season
- Hamo (pike conger)
The summer fish of Kyoto, eaten during Gion Matsuri.
Jun–Aug - Kamonasu (Kyoto round eggplant)Jul–Oct
- Kawayuka riverside diningMay–Sep
On the calendar
- Gion Matsuriall July, parade 17 and 24 July
Kyoto's great festival; the yoiyama nights before the parades are full of food stalls.
- Kawadoko diningsummer
Riverside platforms in Kibune and over the Kamogawa, from May to September.
Jun–Sep
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Kyoto
A hard monthThe best of August: Hamo, Kamonasu and Gozan no Okuribi.
In season
- Hamo (pike conger)
The summer fish of Kyoto, eaten during Gion Matsuri.
Jun–Aug - Kamonasu (Kyoto round eggplant)Jul–Oct
- Kawayuka riverside diningMay–Sep
On the calendar
- Gozan no Okuribi16 August
The bonfires on the mountains close Obon.
- Kawadoko diningsummer
Riverside platforms in Kibune and over the Kamogawa, from May to September.
Jun–Sep
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Kyoto
The best of September: Kamonasu, Kawayuka riverside dining and Kawadoko dining.
In season
- Kamonasu (Kyoto round eggplant)Jul–Oct
- Kawayuka riverside diningMay–Sep
On the calendar
- Kawadoko diningsummer
Riverside platforms in Kibune and over the Kamogawa, from May to September.
Jun–Sep
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Kyoto
Shoulder seasonThe best of October: Persimmons and chestnut wagashi, Matsutake and chestnuts, Jidai Matsuri.
In season
- Persimmons and chestnut wagashi
- Matsutake and chestnuts
Autumn kaiseki, with mushrooms from the Tamba hills.
Oct–Nov - Ebi-imo and bo-daraOct–Dec
- Kamonasu (Kyoto round eggplant)Jul–Oct
On the calendar
- Jidai Matsuri
- Fushimi Sake Festival
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Kyoto
Peak seasonThe best of November: Matsutake and chestnuts, Ebi-imo and bo-dara.
In season
- Matsutake and chestnuts
Autumn kaiseki, with mushrooms from the Tamba hills.
Oct–Nov - Ebi-imo and bo-daraOct–Dec
- Kani (Matsuba crab from Tango)Nov–Mar
Plan around
- Autumn leaf crowdsmid to late November
Kyoto's busiest weeks; book kaiseki early.
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Kyoto
The best of December: Osechi New Year boxes, Kyo-yasai and yudofu.
In season
- Osechi New Year boxesDec–Jan
- Kyo-yasai and yudofu
Winter Kyoto vegetables, and simmered tofu near Nanzen-ji.
Dec–Feb - Ebi-imo and bo-daraOct–Dec
- YuzuDec–Feb
- Kani (Matsuba crab from Tango)Nov–Mar
Plan around
- Closures
Nishiki Market has no market-wide closing day; each shop sets its own and many close Wednesdays. Most shops open ~9-10am and close ~17-18h. Promotion Association office closed Sundays, holidays and...
Dec–Jan
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.