An outstanding historical pageant and one of the city's greatest spectacles, Kyoto's Jidai Matsuri or "Festival of the Ages" is a splendid procession of famous characters associated with the city. More than 2000 people participate in a journey through history.
The event commemorates Kyoto's time as Japan's capital (before Tokyo took over in 1868) and is one of the city's "Three Grand Festivals". The day commences with two Imperial deities - the spirits of the first and last Kyoto emperors - being carried to the Old Imperial Palace in mikoshi (portable shrines).
At noon the grand procession passes out of the Old Imperial Palace and embarks on its stately passage along the two-mile route, escorting the deities back to the Heian Shrine. The procession depicts Kyoto's history in reverse, starting with soldiers of the 19th-century Meiji Restoration and ending with characters from the Heian period (794-1192).
The best places to view the procession are at the Imperial Palace, along Oike-dori and at the Heian Shrine. Following the festival, many rush off to the magnificent Kurama Fire Festival, held in the evening to the north of Kyoto (expect huge crowds and a massive strain on transport).
At noon the grand procession passes out of the Old Imperial Palace and embarks on its stately passage along the two-mile route, escorting the deities back to the Heian Shrine. The procession depicts Kyoto's history in reverse, starting with soldiers of the 19th-century Meiji Restoration and ending with characters from the Heian period (794-1192).
The best places to view the procession are at the Imperial Palace, along Oike-dori and at the Heian Shrine. Following the festival, many rush off to the magnificent Kurama Fire Festival, held in the evening to the north of Kyoto (expect huge crowds and a massive strain on transport).
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