Matsuri Guide

Name in Japanese and English

• 豊太閤花見行列（ほうたいこうはなみぎょうれつ）
• Hōtaikō Hanami Gyōretsu, the “Grand Taikō” procession for hanami at Daigo-ji

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History

The Hōtaikō Hanami Gyōretsu（豊太閤花見行列, hōtaikō hanami gyōretsu）recreates one of the most famous episodes of hanami（花見, hanami, “cherry blossom viewing”) in Japan: the Daigo no Hanami（醍醐の花見, daigo no hanami）, the grand spring banquet held at Daigo-ji（醍醐寺, Daigo-ji）by Toyotomi Hideyoshi（豊臣秀吉, Toyotomi Hideyoshi）, nicknamed Taikō（太閤, taikō）.

The procession features participants in jidai isshō（時代衣装, jidai isshō, “period costumes”) inspired by the Momoyama（桃山, Momoyama）era: Hideyoshi, his entourage, court ladies (女房, nyōbō), guards, bearers, and characters associated with the story of the “Daigo hanami.” The whole is conceived as a historical spectacle set in the real environment of a major Kyoto temple, known as “Hana no Daigo”（花の醍醐, hana no daigo）, “the Daigo of flowers.”

The current “public” ritual has stabilized as a seasonal event: a Sunday in April, when the cherry trees on site still offer a springtime setting (枝垂れ桜, shidare-zakura, and other varieties). Depending on the weather (雨天, uten), some parts may be adapted: shortening the route or moving performances to a sheltered area.

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Location and Date of the Event

• Location: 醍醐寺（だいごじ, Daigo-ji）, 京都市伏見区（きょうとし ふしみく, Kyōto-shi Fushimi-ku）, 京都府（きょうとふ, Kyōto-fu）.
• Address: 〒601-1325 京都府京都市伏見区醍醐東大路町22
• Date: variable — 2nd Sunday of April（4月第2日曜日, shigatsu dai-ni nichiyōbi）.
• Access: Kyoto Municipal Subway 東西線（とうざいせん, Tōzai-sen）to 醍醐駅（だいごえき, Daigo-eki）, then about 10–15 min on foot. Buses available depending on your starting point (stop “Daigo-ji-mae”/“Daigo-ji”).

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Schedule

The event follows the idea of a “period” procession crossing the temple’s iconic spaces. The departure usually takes place around the Sanbō-in（三宝院, Sanbō-in）area, passing through cherry tree-lined paths (桜の馬場, sakura no baba). Participants move slowly to allow the audience time to identify the characters and admire the costume details.

The most “stage-like” part is held near the Kondō（金堂, Kondō）where performances may be offered (奉納, hōnō): bugaku（舞楽, bugaku）, gagaku（雅楽, gagaku）and sometimes other traditional forms depending on the edition. In case of rain or unfavorable conditions, the organizers may modify the return route or move some performances indoors.

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Practical Tips

Photos

For “cinematic” images, aim for the departure near Sanbō-in（三宝院, Sanbō-in）and the cherry-lined paths. For portraits, a short zoom is ideal (details of headdresses, fabrics, accessories). Arrive early: narrow areas fill up quickly, especially on the passage towards the Kondō（金堂, Kondō）.

Weather

Mid-April in Kyoto: often mild but changeable weather. Bring a poncho rather than an umbrella if you plan to follow the procession closely, and protect your equipment (cover/bag).

Transport

Avoid driving if possible: crowds and parking fill up quickly. The subway Daigo-eki（醍醐駅, Daigo-eki）+ walking combo is the easiest.

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Sources & References

• Kyoto Travel（とっておきの京都）｜豊太閤花見行列【醍醐寺】

  Kyoto event page: edition date, summary, and notes “weather = adjustable program.”

• そうだ 京都｜豊太閤花見行列

  Practical sheet: description of the route (departure Sanbō-in, passage under the sakura, arrival near the Kondō) and time markers.

• JNTO (PDF)｜Calendar of Events April 2025

  Official JNTO calendar (PDF): entry “Ho-Taiko Hanami Gyoretsu” (4/13/2025) and summary in English.

• Discover Kyoto｜Hōtaikō Hanami Gyōretsu

  Clear summary (English): typical time slot and characters portrayed (Hideyoshi, Nene, Yodo-gimi, etc.).