The Jidai Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three major festivals, began in Kyoto City on October 22, 2024. At around 9:00 a.m., the procession departed from Heian Shrine in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City and headed for Kyoto Gyoen (Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City). In front of the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, where the procession, centered around two phoenix palanquins dedicated to Emperor Kanmu and Emperor Komei, passed, foreign tourists passing by were busy taking photos with their smartphones.

The Jidai Matsuri procession leaving Heian Shrine (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City)

The Jidai Matsuri, which began in 1895 to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Heian and the founding of Heian Shrine, marks its 117th anniversary this year.