The Jidai Matsuri (時代祭) is a festival held every year on October 22, the anniversary of the foundation of Kyoto. It consists of a large parade that travels from the Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine. Jidai Matsuri is Japanese for "Festival of Ages", and the participants are dressed in accurate costumes from almost every period of Japanese history, as well as famous historical figures. There are about 2000 participants, and it takes two hours to watch the entire procession pass by.

The Jidai Matsuri is held by Heian Shrine, and both the festival and the shrine were established in 1895 to celebrate Kyoto's history and culture. A few years before in 1868, the capital was moved to Tokyo after having been in Kyoto for over a thousand years. Despite its short history, the Jidai Matsuri is one of Kyoto's three most famous festivals, along with the Gion Matsuri in July and the Aoi Matsuri in May.

The historical costumes and characters that are displayed in the parade cover the approximately 1100 years during which Kyoto was the national capital. The procession is separated into historical eras and then further separated into themes, of which there are about twenty. The parade begins with characters from the Meiji Restoration in 1868, and then continues in reverse chronological order until the beginning of the Heian Period (794-1185).

At the very head of the parade there are the festival's honorary commissioners, riding in horse drawn carriages in the style of the mid 1800s. The commissioners include figures like the governor of Kyoto Prefecture, the mayor of Kyoto City and the city council chairman. Following them are figures of the Meiji Restoration. There is a marching band with drums and flutes and soldiers who would have fought with the imperial forces, as well as some of the era's most notable figures, such as Sakamoto Ryoma.

The largest group in the parade depicts the extravagant convoys sent by the shogun to represent him at important imperial ceremonies in Kyoto during the Edo Period (1603-1868). The three most important officials ride on horseback, and there is also a palanquin carried by attendants that the officials would use when traveling. Afterwards there is a much smaller group that consists of about a half dozen famous women from the period, including a princess sitting on a wheeled platform.

As the parade continues, spectators are able to see the armor of Oda Nobunaga and his commanders, the dress of warriors and common people of the Muromachi Period (1338-1573), more famous historical women and nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185). The costumes and characters of the military, cultural, aristocratic and common people are all put on display.

The parade's last group is the most important in terms of Shinto rituals. A large number of attendants accompany and carry two mikoshi (portable shrines) that contain the spirits of Emperor Kammu and Emperor Komei, respectively the first and last emperors to reign from Kyoto. Heian Shrine is dedicated to the spirits of the two emperors, who normally reside in the shrine. However, during the Jidai Matsuri they are able to travel through the city in the mikoshi.

The entire route of the parade stretches about five kilometers. Crowds become most dense at the Imperial Palace and on the approach to Heian Shrine, where spectators want to arrive early to get a good spot. In addition to the regular, free viewing areas lining the parade route, there are also sections of paid, reserved seats at the shrine, the palace and on the streets. Details on the reserved seats are explained below.

Getting there and around

The procession departs from the Imperial Palace, travels along Oike Street and Sanjo Street, and finally terminates at Heian Shrine:

How to get to and around Kyoto

Hours and Fees

Paid Seating

There is some paid seating at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, in front of Kyoto City Hall and along the approach to Heian Shrine. Seats cost 4000-6000 yen and can be reserved beforehand (starting from 10am on September 10, 2024) on the internet or at convenience stores.

Hotels around Kyoto

    • Arashiyama Hanaikada
      A little, superior ryokan right near Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. Free transfer from JR station. Private bath and open-air baths available. 5min walk to the Bamboo Groves.
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    • Ryokufuso
      A friendly Japanese hotel near Nishi Honganji temple. 5min by taxi from JR Kyoto Sta. Enjoy your stay with the Japanese room and communal baths. Free Wi-Fi & parking lot.
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    • Japanese hotel, Ryokan Nishiyama
      Experience the real Japan at our affordable ryokan. Close to major tourist spots in Kyoto.
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    • Ryokan Hirashin
      A traditional hotel with spacious rooms and high speed Wi-Fi. Conveniently located in the heart of Kyoto city. 3min to Shijo Karasuma Sta. and 5min to the famous Nishiki Market.
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      Luxury
      Mugen is a property that was built 160 years ago, situated in Kyoto, 1 km from Nijo Castle. Every room at Mugen features an en suite shower room, toilet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. You will find a shared lounge on site and a bar at the annex building. The ryokan also offers bike hire. Imperial Palace is 1.1 km from Mugen, while Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is 1.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.
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    • Mitsuki Kyoto
      Budget-friendly
      Set in Kyoto, 600 metres from Kyoto International Manga Museum and 1.4 km from the centre, Mitsuki Kyoto offers air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a garden. This 2-star ryokan offers full-day security and luggage storage space. The accommodation provides a concierge service and a housekeeping service for guests. The units in the ryokan are equipped with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bidet in every unit, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the ryokan, the units are equipped with bed linen and towels. The ryokan serves a vegetarian and vegan breakfast and breakfast in the room is also available. A bar can be found on-site. Nijo Castle is 1.1 km from Mitsuki Kyoto, while Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall is 1.8 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 46 km from the accommodation.
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    • Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Kyoto, this traditional Japanese guest house features free Wi-Fi and a free public computer. Shichijo Onmae bus stop is 3 minutes’ walk away. A seating area and shared bathroom are provided with each room at Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS. Free toiletries are provided and blankets are available upon request. Select rooms have a garden view. A shared living area and bicycles are available for guests’ use during their stay at this Kyoto Guesthouse Compass. Access to the shared kitchen is available upon request. The guest house is 4.5 km from Imperial Palace and 2.2 km from Kyoto Station. Nijo Castle and Toji Castle are within a 30 minutes’ bus ride away.
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    • Ryokan Tori
      Mid-range
      Ryokan Tori is located in Kyoto, 2 km from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. The property is around 2.3 km from Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. The property is 3.2 km from Kinkaku-ji Temple and 3.7 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. Each room has a shared bathroom, while selected rooms are fitted with a balcony and others also offer a garden view. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at tori can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Heian Shrine is 5 km from the accommodation. Itami Airport is 50 km from the property.
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    • Guesthouse Engawa
      Budget-friendly
      Located within 600 metres of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and 1.3 km of Sanjusangen-do Temple, Guesthouse Engawa provides rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Kyoto. It is situated 1.7 km from Gion Shijo Station and features luggage storage space. This 2-star guest house offers private entrance. The units in the guest house are equipped with a kettle. Featuring a shared bathroom with a shower and slippers, units at the guest house also offer free WiFi, while selected rooms come with a balcony. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Guests can also relax in the garden. Samurai Kembu Kyoto is 2.1 km from the guest house, while Shoren-in Temple is 1.8 km away. Itami Airport is 45 km from the property.
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    • Yado Kiramachi
      Luxury
      Yado Kiramachi offers accommodation set 600 metres from the centre of Kyoto and provides a garden and a terrace. The air-conditioned accommodation is 600 metres from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The ryokan features family rooms. The units at the ryokan come with a seating area. The units have a coffee machine, a private bathroom and free WiFi, while selected rooms will provide you with a balcony and some have garden views. At the ryokan, all units include bed linen and towels. A bar can be found on-site. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 1.3 km from the ryokan, while Gion Shijo Station is 1.6 km away. Itami Airport is 45 km from the property.
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    • Kyo-Anthu Inn
      Mid-range
      Located in Kyoto and within 500 metres of Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyo-Anthu Inn features a garden, soundproof rooms, and free WiFi. It is set 1.3 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto and provides full-day security. The guest house has family rooms. The guest house will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some units also have a well-fitted kitchenette equipped with a microwave and a toaster. At the guest house, all units come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the guest house can enjoy a continental breakfast, and breakfast in the room is also available. Popular points of interest near Kyo-Anthu Inn include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto Station and Gion Shijo Station. Itami Airport is 44 km away.
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    • Toshiharu Ryokan
      Luxury
      Built in the Meiji era and registered as a cultural asset, Toshiharu Ryokan offers traditional accommodation just a 3-minute walk from Gojo Station and 1 subway stop from JR Kyoto Train Station. Massages are available. Guests at Ryokan Toshiharu sleep in Japanese futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor, and have air conditioning. Green tea and a Yukata robe are provided, and some rooms look out on a small garden. The ryokan is 1 km from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple and about a 15-minute walk from Gojo-Ohashi Bridge and the Kamogawa River. Daimaru Department Store is 900 metres away. Although shared, baths are reserved and then used privately in turns. For breakfast, guests can choose to savour a Japanese served at an additional charge.
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    • Gallery Nozawa Inn
      Budget-friendly
      Gallery Nozawa Inn offers accommodation in Kyoto, 25 minutes on foot from JR Kyoto Station. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Every room includes a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. Each room is equipped with a private toilet, and bathrooms are shared. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is luggage storage space at the property. Guests can sample Japanese-style breakfast featuring seasonal ingredients. There is a public bathhouse located a 10-minute walk away. Nijo Castle is 2.4 km from Gallery Nozawa Inn, while Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.4 km from the property. Osaka Itami Airport is 36 km away.
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    • Guesthouse HANA Nishijin
      Mid-range
      Situated in Kyoto, 300 metres from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and 3 km from the centre, Guesthouse HANA Nishijin features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a garden. This 3-star guest house offers a shared kitchen and private check-in and check-out. The guest house has family rooms. At the guest house, each unit has a desk. Some accommodation includes a balcony with garden views, a fully equipped kitchenette and a private bathroom with bath. At the guest house, units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Kinkaku-ji Temple is 1.6 km from the guest house, while Nijo Castle is 2.5 km from the property. Itami Airport is 48 km away.
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Experiences around Kyoto

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