Kyoto’s Jidai Matsuri is a historical costume procession from the Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu. Watching from one section lets you follow the changing clothing and equipment as the eras pass.
Jidai Matsuri dates
October 22, 2026; postponement possible in rain
Upcoming confirmed edition
Dates and times use JST. The recorded dates apply only to the stated edition. Read the organiser’s programme for start times, tickets, postponements and cancellations.
Where to watch
Kyoto · 京都
Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu
京都御所〜平安神宮
The procession starts at Kyoto Imperial Palace and finishes at Heian Jingu Shrine. Use the Kyoto tourism route map for the streets and reserved-seat areas; a direct walking route between the landmarks is not the parade route.
The directions below use one representative location, not every venue entrance or the complete procession route. Use the official venue map for your ticket or programme.
Getting there by train or bus
Take the Karasuma subway to Marutamachi for the palace end. For Heian Jingu, transfer at Karasuma Oike to the Tozai Line, get off at Higashiyama and walk about ten minutes.
Planning your visit
Choose the palace or shrine end instead of trying to follow the whole procession. Check your reserved-seat location and any rain postponement notice before leaving.
This is an editorial travel suggestion, not a claim of a personal visit or a guarantee of the programme. When travelling from Canada, use your Japan arrival date to select the festival day.
What to look for
- Historical costumes
- Palace departure
- Heian Jingu arrival
History and traditions
It began in 1895 for Heian Jingu's founding and the 1,100th anniversary of the capital's move to Kyoto.
Photo: Corpse Reviver · CC BY-SA 3.0. Original or supplied reduced image; no additional edits. See the original file for its date and context.
Nearby places to consider
Heian Jingu Shrine Garden · 平安神宮神苑
A garden of ponds and landscaped paths beside the shrine.
Check garden admission and closing time separately; the procession's arrival may leave little time for a visit.
The description and suggested visit refer to the first attraction listed. Other links are separate nearby options; festival traffic and opening hours may affect your plans.
Jidai Matsuri questions
When is Jidai Matsuri?
October 22, 2026; postponement possible in rain. These dates belong only to the stated edition; they do not confirm a later year.
How do I reach Jidai Matsuri by public transport?
Take the Karasuma subway to Marutamachi for the palace end. For Heian Jingu, transfer at Karasuma Oike to the Tozai Line, get off at Higashiyama and walk about ten minutes.
Which end of the Jidai procession should I use?
Marutamachi serves the Imperial Palace starting area, while Higashiyama serves the Heian Jingu arrival area. The procession reaches each section at a different time.
Official programme and sources
- Official reference · kyoto.travel ↗
- Official reference · www.heianjingu.or.jp ↗
- Official reference · www.heianjingu.or.jp ↗
- Official reference · ja.kyoto.travel ↗
- Official reference · www.heianjingu.or.jp ↗
Shared source records reviewed October 3, 2026. Some official pages are in Japanese. JapanLiveNow’s English guide is independently edited; the organiser’s latest announcement takes precedence.