京都清水寺櫻花季一日遊！一年一度的青龍會表演超震撼 ｜岡本和服“袴”體驗｜錦市場玄海丼超好吃｜Kyoto Cherry Blossom Foodie Day Trip at Kiyomizu-dera

這次我跟Marco還有一家大小來到了京都清水寺一年一度的盛會“青龍會”！
相傳觀音菩薩化身為「青龍」，每夜飛臨清水寺後方的音羽瀑布飲水，作為守護京都東方的神獸；此祭典即是為了祈福消災、守護京都平安。

時間：3/14-15 和 4/3 (我們去的是四月的場次，櫻花比較有機會滿開！)
地點：清水寺舞台
活動內容：活動主角是一條長約18 公尺的藍龍（實質偏綠），由多位舞者操作，隨隊伍在寺內與周邊石板街遊行。

為了讓這次旅程更有日本味，我們一起預約了岡本和服租借店的一日和服方案，我和Marco選擇了“袴”風格的和服，通常是重要祭典、婚禮等場景才能穿著的和服，在這邊也有很多非常美的特色款式可以選擇喔！小朋友也一起穿上超好看的！

逛祭典當然少不了大吃特吃一番，這次旅程跟家人一邊賞櫻拍照一邊享用美味的櫻花抹茶蕨餅名店“普門庵＆普門茶屋”，有特色的蕨餅普門三明治，很適合穿著和服吃，拍照一百分！這家餐廳有美美的庭園可供拍照，也有各類抹茶、蕨餅甜點可以選擇，非常推薦大家一起去試試看！

看完清水寺之後，我和Marco當然也很入境隨俗的到音羽瀧泉水的地方祈求不動明王的祝福，伴隨櫻吹雪、啜飲清冽的泉水，享受下午的美好時光！晚上的節目也很豐盛，大逛錦市場讓Marco體驗抹茶清酒和章魚蛋燒，最後還大吃玄海丼的海鮮生魚片蓋飯，簡直就是完美的一天。

This time, Marco and I, along with the whole family, came to Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera for its annual grand event — the Seiryu-e (Blue Dragon Festival)!

Legend has it that Kannon Bodhisattva transforms into a blue dragon each night and flies to drink from the Otowa Waterfall behind the temple, serving as a guardian deity protecting Kyoto from the east. This festival is held to pray for peace and protection for the city.

🗓 Dates: March 14–15 and April 3 (We attended the April event — a better chance for full-bloom sakura!)
📍 Location: Kiyomizu-dera main stage
🎭 Event Highlights: The centerpiece is an 18-meter-long blue (actually greenish) dragon, maneuvered by several performers, parading through the temple grounds and nearby stone streets.

To make the experience even more authentically Japanese, we rented traditional outfits from Okamoto Kimono Rental for the day. Marco and I chose “hakama”-style kimono, usually worn for formal occasions like festivals or weddings — they also had a lot of beautiful and unique styles to choose from! The kids looked absolutely adorable in theirs too!

And of course, no festival is complete without some serious eating! We enjoyed sakura viewing while snapping photos and indulging in sweets at the famous Fumon-an & Fumon Chaya. Their sakura matcha warabi mochi and unique warabi mochi “sandwich” are perfect for enjoying in kimono — and super photogenic! The restaurant also has a gorgeous garden and a wide selection of matcha and Japanese-style desserts — highly recommended!

After exploring Kiyomizu-dera, Marco and I made sure to take part in the local custom of praying at the Otowa Waterfall, seeking blessings from Fudō Myōō, the guardian deity. With petals fluttering in the wind and fresh mountain spring water to sip, it was the perfect peaceful afternoon moment.

And our evening was just as packed — we strolled through Nishiki Market, where Marco tried matcha sake and octopus balls, and wrapped up the day with an epic kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) feast at Genkai-don. Truly a perfect day in Kyoto!