Imagine stepping into a time machine and landing smack dab in the middle of Kyoto’s coolest history lesson – that’s exactly what the Jidai Matsuri Festival is all about. I’m stoked to spill the deets on this mind-blowing event that’ll make your trip to Kyoto epic!
Jidai Matsuri festival
The Jidai Matsuri Festival is held on October 22nd every year. This is a spectacular parade that unfolds on the streets of Kyoto. The festival’s main highlight is a procession featuring over 2,000 participants dressed in meticulously crafted historical costumes. The aother name for the festival is Festival of Ages. This takes spectators on a chronological journey, starting from the Heian period (794-1185) and progressing through to the Meiji period (1868-1912). You find yourself a comfortable sitting and enjoy the history rolling out in front of your eyes.
The festival starts at Kyoto Imperial Palace and winds its way through the historic streets of Kyoto, eventually concluding at Heian Shrine. You can buy a tickets or if you don’t mind finding a place on street you can watch it for free.
Tips for an Unforgettable festival Visit:
Arrive Early: To secure a prime viewing spot, arrive early along the parade route. The procession begins at noon, but the streets fill up quickly with spectators eager to witness this historical extravaganza. We arrived about 2 hours before and shared our spot on street with friendly locals with Hello Kitty sitting mats. Or you can buy the tickets before. You can find out morw about the tickets and street plans on here https://kyoto.travel/en/season_festivals/jidai_matsuri.html
Capture the Moment: Don’t forget your camera! The Jidai Matsuri Festival provides countless photo opportunities to capture the essence of each historical period. And form our experiance they pose gladly
So, there you have it – the lowdown on Kyoto’s Jidai Matsuri Festival. It’s not just a festival; it’s a time-traveling, history-loving, Instagrammable extravaganza that’ll make your Kyoto trip legendary.As you witness the parade, you’ll find yourself transported through time, experiencing the grandeur and elegance of Japan’s history in a way that words alone cannot capture.
