January in Kyoto : New Year Events and Shrines to Visit

2026 is the Year of the Horse, a symbol of vitality, protection, and forward momentum in Japanese tradition. In Kyoto, several historic shrines such as Kamigamo Shrine, Shimogamo Shrine, Fujinomori Shrine and Kifune Shrine are deeply connected to horses. Both through ancient ritual practices and long-standing beliefs that horses serve as sacred messengers to the gods. Throughout the year, these shrines host horse-related ceremonies and festivals, and offer lucky horse charms (uma-mamori) said to bring good fortune, safe journeys, and success in the year ahead.

January is an especially meaningful time to visit, as the New Year ushers in purification rites, ceremonial beginnings, and seasonal festivals unique to each shrine. In this article, we explore what you can experience in January at Kyoto’s most horse-associated shrines, from traditional rituals and early-year festivals to special events that set the tone for the months to come.

Table of Contents:

Kamigamo Shrine
– Hakuba Soran Shinji & Nanakusa-gayu- January 7th
– Musha Jinji -January 16th
Shimogamo Shrine
– Kemari Hajime – January 4th
– Congee Festival – January 15th
Fujinomori Shrine
– Okihajime and Oyumihajime – January 16th
Kifune Shrine
– Snowy Night Illuminations -January 15 to February 28 
Where To Stay in Kyoto

Kamigamo Shrine

Snow at Kamigamo Shrine, taken by firreflly

Kamigamo Shrine (Kamigamo-jinja), one of Kyoto’s oldest Shinto shrines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is regarded as the origin of horse racing in Japan. Its famed sacred horse race, Kamo Kurabeuma, takes place each May as part of the Aoi Matsuri, one of Kyoto’s three major festivals, and dates back to the Heian period. Performed as an offering to the deities, the ritual prays for peace, protection, and bountiful harvests, reflecting the long-held belief that horses serve as divine messengers.

This connection continues on the shrine grounds today, where a sacred white horse (shinme) is kept near the second torii gate. In Shinto belief, the horse acts as a divine messenger for the enshrined deity Kamo Wakeikazuchi no Okami. On special festival days such as Hakuba Soran (January 7), the horse is dressed in ceremonial tack and led through the shrine in a solemn procession. 

Outside of official rituals, visitors can often see the sacred horse on Sundays and public holidays, and are even encouraged to offer the provided carrots as a sign of reverence, as noted on the shrine’s official website. This living tradition makes Kamigamo Shrine a uniquely vibrant place to experience the spirit of the Year of the Horse, especially during January’s New Year observances.

Hakuba Soran Shinji & Nanakusa-gayu – January 7th

Hakuba Soran Shinji & Nanakusa-gayu (January 7) is one of the most atmospheric New Year ceremonies held at Kamigamo Shrine, and a fitting event to experience in the Year of the Horse. The ritual is based on the ancient belief that seeing a white horse at the beginning of the year wards off misfortune and brings protection for the months ahead, a custom that traces its roots back to court ceremonies of the Heian period.

White horse at Kamigamo shrine by firreflly

On the day, the shrine’s sacred white horse is ceremonially presented before the deity Kamo Wakeikazuchi no Okami and gently led through the shrine grounds in a series of processions. Dressed in ceremonial tack, the horse becomes the focal point of the ritual, embodying purification, renewal, and divine blessing. The calm rhythm of the procession, set against Kamigamo’s wide gravel paths and ancient architecture, creates a quietly powerful start to the year.

Nanakusa-gayu at Kamigamo Shrine by firreflly

The ceremony is paired with Nanakusa-gayu, a traditional rice porridge made with seven spring herbs. Offered on the shrine grounds, this seasonal dish is eaten to pray for good health, recovery from New Year excesses, and a safe year ahead. Together, the sight of the sacred horse and the simple act of sharing nanakusa-gayu make January 7 a deeply meaningful time to visit Kamigamo Shrine. The porridge is handed out from the morning of January 7th from 10:00 am. It is limited to 500 servings and costs 500 yen per cup. 

Musha Jinji – January 16th

Musha Jinji at Kamigamo Shrine by Kyoto Travel by Kyoto Travel

Held on January 16th at Kamigamo Shrine, Musha Jinji  is a striking mid-January ritual that brings Kyoto’s warrior past vividly to life. As the New Year settles in, the shrine grounds fill with a quiet tension as participants dressed in traditional armor and ceremonial robes prepare to take part in the rite. The highlight of Musha Jinji is the ritualized archery, where carefully controlled movements and the release of the arrow are offered as prayers rather than displays of strength.

Each gesture is meant to purify the year ahead, drive away misfortune, and invite peace and stability. The atmosphere is solemn yet captivating, the sound of footsteps on gravel, the creak of a bow being drawn, and the stillness that follows as the arrow flies.  The ceremony, starting from 10:30 a.m.  reflects an old belief that disciplined warriors could protect the community by standing between the human world and unseen forces. Today, that meaning remains, resonating as a prayer for personal safety, resilience, and good fortune in the months to come. 

Access:
Kamigamo Shrine is about a 30 minute walk from Kitayama Station. You can also take Kyoto City buses 9 and 4 to reach the shrine grounds. 

Shimogamo Shrine

Plum blossoms at Shimogamo Shrine by firreflly

Shimogamo Shrine (Shimogamo-jinja), set where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet, is one of Kyoto’s oldest Shinto shrines and is deeply connected to ancient beliefs surrounding horses. Enclosed by the primeval Tadasu no Mori forest, the shrine has long been a place of purification and prayer.
Horses were traditionally regarded as sacred messengers of the gods, believed to carry human prayers to the divine realm. This belief is still visible today in the many horse-themed ema dedicated at the shrine.

Shimogamo is also closely associated with horseback archery, most notably through yabusame rituals performed during Aoi Festival in May. In these ceremonies, mounted archers in traditional attire gallop along a straight track, releasing arrows at sacred targets in acts of prayer for peace, bountiful harvests, and protection from misfortune.

Kemari Hajime – January 4th

Kemari Hajime at Shimogamo Shrine by Kyoto Shimbun

Kemari Hajime at Shimogamo Shrine, held on January 4, 2026, from 1:30 p.m., is a graceful New Year celebration that offers a vivid glimpse into the refined world of Japan’s ancient imperial court. Set within the shrine’s tranquil forest setting, the grounds are enlivened by participants dressed in brilliantly colored Heian-period court robes. Their flowing sleeves and tall eboshi hats instantly transport onlookers back more than a millennium.

Kemari is a traditional courtly game in which players work together to keep a deerskin ball airborne using only their feet, careful never to let it touch the ground. There is no competition and no score. Instead, the emphasis is on elegance, cooperation, and harmony—values central to classical Japanese aesthetics. Each measured kick is accompanied by stylized movements and ritual calls, creating a rhythm that feels both playful and deeply ceremonial.

As the first kemari match of the New Year, Kemari Hajime is offered as a prayer for good fortune, health, and balance in the year ahead. The soft thud of the ball, gentle laughter, and swaying garments create an atmosphere that is quietly uplifting, making it a memorable encounter with a tradition rooted in beauty and continuity rather than victory.

Congee Festival – January 15th

Okayu Shinji at Shimogamo Shrine by kyotoimakore

The Okayu Shinji held annually on January 15, is a gentle yet deeply symbolic ceremony that marks the arrival of koshogatsu, or Japan’s “Little New Year.” Taking place from around 10:00 a.m., the ritual centers on offerings of warm rice porridge prepared with red beans and soybeans, presented to the shrine’s deities as prayers for peace, good health, and prosperity in the year ahead.

As priests perform the ceremony, the inner doors of the shrine are opened for the first time in the New Year, welcoming renewed divine blessings. The rising steam from the porridge, soft chanting, and measured movements create an atmosphere of quiet reverence. Long associated with purification and protection from illness, okayu (rice porridge) has traditionally been eaten on this day to ward off misfortune and ensure mubyo sokusai, a year of health and safety.

Following the ritual, visitors may receive a serving of the sacred red bean porridge for 500 yen (limited amount available) allowing them to share directly in the prayers offered to the kami. Simple yet meaningful, the Okayu Shinji transforms a humble bowl of food into a powerful symbol of care, renewal, and connection. 

Access:
Shimogamo shrine is about a 15 minute walk from Demachiyanagi Station. You can also reach the shrine grounds by taking the 205 bus.

Fujinomori Shrine

Fujinomori Shrine photo by Discover Kyoto

Fujinomori Shrine (Fujinomori Jinja), tucked away in southern Kyoto, has long been known as a shrine where the spirit of the horse is still very much alive. Established over 1,800 years ago, it was deeply connected to the world of warriors and mounted messengers, for whom speed, control, and trust in their horses could determine the outcome of battle or safe delivery of vital news.

The shrine’s identity is closely tied to its famous equestrian rites, particularly those held during the annual Fujinomori Festival in May. On this day, riders thunder down the shrine’s approach at full speed, performing daring mounted feats that emphasize balance and bravery. The pounding of hooves and the tension of the crowd create an atmosphere unlike Kyoto’s quieter rituals, making the horse the unmistakable focus of the event. Horse imagery appears throughout the grounds, from ema offered for victory to charms praying for safe travel and success. Rather than symbolizing the past alone, horses at Fujinomori Shrine represent momentum and resolve, qualities still sought by worshippers facing challenges in the present day.

Okihajime and Oyumihajime – January 16th

Oyumihajime at Fujinomori Shrine , photo by Kyototravel.info

At Fujinomori Shrine, the okihajime and oyumihajime rituals, held every January 16, actively open the New Year with prayers grounded in craftsmanship, protection, and martial tradition. Though quieter than the shrine’s famous horseback events, these ceremonies reveal the disciplined spirit that defines Fujinomori.

The day begins with okihajime, the “first use of wood.” Shrine priests and local carpenters deliberately handle tools and timber, offering prayers for safety in construction and for steady, skilled work throughout the year. By honoring wood and the hands that shape it, the ritual affirms the value of craftsmanship as both a livelihood and a sacred act.

In the afternoon, oyumihajime brings sharp focus to the shrine grounds. Participants draw their bows and release arrows toward targets marked with characters representing evil spirits, symbolically driving away illness and misfortune. Each arrow cuts through the winter air with purpose. Together, these rituals set a clear intention for the year ahead, one defined by protection, precision, and resolve.

Access:
Fujinomori shrine is a 10 minute walk from JR Fujinomori Station or a 6 minute walk from Keihan Sumizome Station.

Kifune Shrine

Kifune Shrine in snow by firreflly

Tucked into the cool mountain valley north of Kyoto, Kifune Shrine holds one of Japan’s most poetic connections to horses. Long before written prayers became common, people trusted horses to carry their wishes directly to the gods. At Kifune, worshippers offered black horses when they prayed for rain and white horses when they hoped for clear skies, believing the animals would deliver their requests to the deities who governed water and weather.

Over time, dedicating live horses became impractical, but the custom did not disappear. Instead, it transformed into the offering of ema, wooden prayer plaques, many of which originally featured horses. Kifune is widely considered the birthplace of this tradition, and even today, horse imagery quietly appears throughout the shrine, linking modern visitors to ancient belief.

Snowy Night Illuminations (January 15- February 28) 

Kifune Snowy Night by Kyoto Shimbun

Snowfall Night Illuminations at Kifune Shrine transform the winter forest into a scene straight out of a dream. In 2026, held on weekends and public holidays from January 15 to February 28, the shrine glows from sunset until 8:00 p.m., but only when fresh snow has dusted the grounds. Since snowfall in Kyoto is rare, usually just one day in January and one in February, each illuminated evening feels especially magical and fleeting.

Walking along the lantern-lit paths, visitors feel as if they’ve stepped into another world. Bridges, shrine buildings, and cedar trees shimmer under the soft golden light, while the river reflects the glow like liquid silver. Every flake of snow amplifies the serene hush, inviting quiet reflection and awe. As the illumination only appears with actual snow, each night is truly unique. It’s a rare chance to experience Kifune Shrine at its most enchanting, where winter’s delicate beauty and spiritual calm merge to create unforgettable moments.

Access:
Kifune shrine is about a 30 minute walk from Kibune-guchi station on the Eizan line, however there are regular buses to the entrance of the shrine grounds from the Kibune-guchi station which costs 200 yen one way.

Where to stay in Kyoto in January?

Featured Property : Shinjin

For a truly immersive Kyoto experience in January, staying with Shiki Properties is the perfect choice. Conveniently located near historic shrines, Shiki accommodations put you just minutes from seasonal rituals, festivals, and horse-themed ceremonies that bring Kyoto’s New Year traditions to life.

Many of our homes, like Shinjin, Koju, and Tsuru-Kame, are ideal for large groups or family stays, comfortably accommodating 6 to 9 guests! They feature spacious living areas where everyone can unwind together after a day of shrine visits, festival adventures, or evening strolls under snow-dusted streets.Each property blends modern comfort with touches of traditional Kyoto charm, creating a cozy retreat in the heart of the city. 

From watching sacred white horses at Kamigamo to enjoying the fleeting magic of Kifune’s snowfall illuminations, Shiki Properties allows you to experience Kyoto at your own pace, connecting with its living traditions and serene winter landscapes, making a January visit truly unforgettable. Check our listings and book your stay today!