Jidai Matsuri 2024

The Jidai Matsuri (時代祭) is an annual event associated with the grand festival of the Heian Shrine, held on October 22nd. It is one of the three major festivals in Kyoto, initiated during the Meiji era to celebrate the founding of the Heian Shrine and the transfer of the capital to Heian-kyo.

The grand festival of the Heian Shrine commemorates the transfer of the capital to Heian-kyo by Emperor Kanmu. During this festival, two sacred portable shrines, including one shaped like a purple phoenix carriage representing the Emperor’s conveyance, are paraded from the Heian Shrine to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The festival is conducted in a temporary ceremonial area set up in front of the Kenreimon gate. In the afternoon of the same day, as the sacred portable shrines return to the Heian Shrine, a unique historical procession called the Jidai Matsuri takes place, leading the way for the shrines.

The Jidai Matsuri is a distinctive festival that can only be experienced in Kyoto, the former capital during various periods from the Heian era to the end of the Edo era. While it involves the people of Kyoto and is deeply rooted in the local community, its history is comparatively shorter when compared to festivals like the Aoi Matsuri and the Gion Matsuri.

 

 

 

 

Event Summary

Date

Monday, October 21, 2024 – Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Place: Heian Shrine

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