Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)
A 2-km parade of 2,000 people in meticulously accurate costumes marches through 1,000 years of Kyoto history, from Heian nobles to Meiji revolutionaries.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/10/22 03:00 – 2026/10/22
- Where
- Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu Shrine（Kyoto Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto）
- City
- Kyoto
- Getting there
- Subway to Marutamachi Station (start) / Higashiyama Station (finish)
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Heian Jingu Shrine
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Subway to Marutamachi Station (start) / Higashiyama Station (finish) Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, families, art lovers
Highlights
- Historically accurate costumes from 8 eras
- 2,000+ marchers, oxen and horses
- Procession from the Imperial Palace
Background & story
Started in 1895 to mark the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto becoming the capital and the founding of Heian Jingu Shrine.
Good to know
Reserve a paid grandstand seat at the Imperial Palace or Oike-dori for a comfortable view.