The Jidai Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three major festivals, was held in Kyoto City on October 22, 2024. About 2,000 citizens dressed in costumes from the 1,000 years since the capital was in Kyoto, walked leisurely down the main street of the capital in the cool autumn wind.
The procession departed from Kyoto Imperial Palace in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City at noon. Led by the Meiji era's "Restoration Loyalist Corps" that played brave drums and flutes, 20 processions paraded through eight eras, from the Meiji Restoration to the relocation of the capital to Heian.
The gorgeous costumes of each era stood out along the road, and historical figures appeared one after another. Following the leisurely Sakamoto Ryoma, Oda Nobunaga riding a horse in a jinbaori (battle coat), and Shizuka Gozen with a sword in her eboshi hat, Murasaki Shikibu from the Heian era, who has attracted attention in the historical drama, also made an appearance. The crowd erupted in excitement as the two women stood next to Sei Shonagon, holding new folding fans purchased this year.
The procession then made its way to Heian Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward, finishing around 4pm when the last group of archers arrived. According to the Kyoto Prefectural Police, there were around 42,000 spectators that day, 26,000 fewer than last year, which was held on a Sunday.
The Jidai Matsuri began in 1895 to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary of the capital's relocation to Heian and the founding of Heian Shrine. This marked the 117th procession, and was resumed in 2022 after being canceled for two consecutive years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
