Jidai Matsuri – Kyoto Anniversary Festival

The Jidai Matsuri is held annually on October 22nd to commemorate Kyoto’s founding as the nation’s capital in 794. More than a parade, this is a spectacular, two-hour-long, chronological procession that functions as a living, outdoor museum, showcasing over 1,100 years of Japan’s history. The festival was established in 1895 to preserve Kyoto’s rich heritage and culture after the imperial capital was moved to Tokyo, making it a unique celebration of civic pride and history.

The most famous attraction is undoubtedly the Eras Parade, a line of approximately 2,000 participants. This procession features costumes, armor, and accessories meticulously researched and crafted to historical accuracy, spanning from the Meiji Restoration (1868) all the way back to the Heian Period (794). Visitors will witness dozens of groups representing famous historical figures—from Samurai warriors and great Shoguns to Imperial Court nobles and notable women—in a breathtaking, moving picture scroll that celebrates every important Era from Kyoto’s past.