Jidai Matsuri?

Hi everyone.

I will be in Kyoto in time for the Jidai Matsuri, and I would just like to ask some questions regarding access:

1. Can you enter/tour the Imperial Palace on this day without prior reservation? I plan to go early to go around the place before watching the start of the festival.

2. Are other temples open while the festival is ongoing? I only want to see the festival in the Imperial Palace and then go elsewhere after.

Thanks a lot!

Hi,
yes, the other temples and sights are open as usual even during the festival.

Yeah, everything should be open as normal.

The festival itself isn't that special though compared to others like the Gion Matsuri, but on the same day at night there's the Kurama no Hi matsuri that is extremely interesting, (if you get there early before the glot of people getting herded around by the police).