Jidai Matsuri
Kyoto’s Festival of the Ages walks the city’s ceremonial wardrobe from the Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu, moving backward from the Meiji Restoration toward the founding of Heian-kyo.
2026 dates
- Venue
- Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu Shrine, via Karasuma, Oike, Kawaramachi and Sanjo
- Where to plan around
- Kyoto Gyoen, Oike-dori and Okazaki / Heian Jingu
- Access
- Street viewing is free along the route. Paid seats sell for Kyoto Gyoen, Oike-dori and Jingumichi: general from ¥5,000; Manabi commentary seats from ¥8,500; Otenmon bilingual special seats from ¥13,500. Regular Ticket Pia sales open 8 September at 10:00 JST. Umbrellas, parasols and tripods are barred in paid seating; bring a raincoat. A weather postponement carries the ticket to the 23rd without refund.
- Official information
- Visit Kyoto City Tourism Association ↗
The Banquet note
Heian Jingu was founded in 1895 for the 1,100th anniversary of Heian-kyo, the capital established in 794. The first historical procession followed that year; from 1896 it settled on 22 October, the commemorative date of the capital transfer. About 2,000 participants, including horses, oxen and carriages, form a two-kilometre procession through Meiji, Edo, Momoyama, medieval and Heian periods. This is a shrine rite accompanied by a historical walk, not simply a costume parade.
The route leaves the Imperial Palace at noon and reaches Heian Jingu around 14:30, but the complete procession takes roughly two hours to pass each position. Kyoto Gyoen is best for departure, Oike-dori for central convenience and Otenmon for the shrine arrival. The Otenmon special seats include Japanese and English commentary delivered through your own phone and earphones; that is the useful premium if textiles and historical figures matter more than crowd atmosphere. Bring a battery pack. Front row improves detail; comfort and weather preparation still matter for two hours on your feet.
Plan it well
Regular paid-seat sales open at 10:00 JST on 8 September. Arrive at least thirty minutes before the front is due. Check Kyoto Travel or Heian Jingu from 07:00 on the 22nd; keep the 23rd flexible if rain is forecast.