Established in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the Heian Period move of the capital, this festival takes place at Heian Shrine. What is special about this festival, is that it offers you the chance to view a large number of important periods of Japanese history. Going back from the Meiji Restoration, 8 different periods will be shown, including the Edo and the Muromachi periods. More than 2,000 people join the event, wearing period-typical costumes, creating a parade 2km in length and 3 hours worth of viewing. The parade takes off at Kyoto Imperial Palace at noon and passes Karasuma-dori and Kawaramachi-dori on its way to the Heian Shrine.
| Kyoto City center (Kyoto Imperial Palace~Karasuma-dori Street~Kawaramachi-dori Street~Heian Shrine) |
| Access from Tokyo Approx. 2hr20min from Tokyo Sta. to Kyoto Sta. |
| October 22 every year |
| Website: Kyoto City Official Travel Guide: Event Schedule (in English) |
Kyoto Jidai Festival |
Kyoto Imperial Palace
| 3 Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture |
| Short walk from “Karasuma-Imadegawa” city bus stop / 10 min by walk from Marutamachi Sta. on the city subway |
Kyoto Imperial Palace |
Heian Shrine
| Okazaki Nishitennocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture |
| Short walk from “Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae” city bus stop |
Heian Shrine |
