The first expo in Japan was the 1st Kyoto Expo, held in 1872. The Kamogawa Odori was established as part of the initiative to help attract more tourists.
The dance was not held for an 11-year period from 1884 to 1894, and from 1944 to 1945 due to World War II, but resumed soon after in 1946. From 1951 until 1998 two performances were held, in the spring and in the autumn, leading to it becoming the dance performance with the greatest number of performances among the 5 Hanamachi districts in Kyoto.
In 1991 the number of performances was reduced to one, and is held every year from May 1 to the 24th. It is known as a type of poetry that represents Kyoto in the spring.
- 1872
- Kamogawa Odori is established
- 1895
- Kamogawa Odori re-established after a 11-year hiatus, to commemorate the 1,100 year anniversary of the Heian capital city
- 1902
- Kaburenjo renovation
- 1915
- Performance at the Tokyo Kabukiza
- 1918
- Used a new plan, with the Imperial Poetry Contest as the main theme, and featuring young girl dancers
- 1927
- New Kaburenjo is completed
- 1936
- Visits from Jean Cocteau and Charlie Chaplin
- 1946
- Kamogawa Odori is re-established
- 1949
- Performance at the Osaka Kabukiza
- 1958
- 60th Anniversary of the Kyoto Municipal Government
- 1964
- Commemorating the Olympic Games
- 1967
- 100th Performance Commemoration
- 1968
- 70th Anniversary of the Kyoto Municipal Government
- 1970
- Japan Expo Commemorative Performance
- 1972
- Founding 100 Year Anniversary
- 1982
- Founding 110 Year Anniversary
- 1992
- Founding 120 Year Anniversary
- 1993
- 150th Performance Commemoration
- 1994
- Heian Capital 1,200 Year Anniversary
178th Kamogawa Odori Performance Part 1 – “Fuyo Saiyuki”
1880 Kamogawa Odori – “Uta to Renmei”
Signboards from 1910 (upper) and 1924 (lower)
