8 best art and cultural events to look forward to in Kyoto in 2026

There’s a lot happening in Kyoto these days. teamLab has recently opened its largest museum in Japan near Kyoto Station, while a new circular bus route now connects many of the city’s central attractions. This year – aside from Kyoto raising its accommodation tax by up to a hefty ¥10,000 per person per night – the city is set to host a series of enriching art and cultural events. There’s plenty to experience in this ancient city beyond its celebrated Unesco World Heritage temples and Zen gardens.

So, if you’re visiting the ancient capital in the first half of 2026, you can look forward to immersive theatre and installations, art exhibitions and craft fairs, special temple openings, and more. Whenever you’re ready to take a break from temple-hopping, rest assured: Kyoto still offers no shortage of attractions and things to do.