One of Kyoto’s three greatest annual festivals—the Jidai Matsuri Festival will be held on October 22, 2026.
This festival features a spectacular procession of 2,000 people in authentic historical costumes, separated into groups representing different historical periods. They travel from the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden to Heian Jingu Shrine, riding horses, oxen, and carrying elaborate ceremonial items.
Tickets to the paid viewing seats from which you can enjoy this beautiful festival more deeply and up-close are on sale now!
Two types of paid viewing seats can be chosen this year:
- General seats, located in Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, including live commentary in English or Chinese.
(*General seats spectators must bring their own internet-connected smartphone and earphones in order to listen to the commentary.) - Special seats, located in front of the spectacular Outenmon Gate, including live commentary in English or Chinese given by a specialist.
(*Special seats spectators will be given an earphone device they can use to listen to the commentary on the day of the event.)
*You can reserve the front-row seats for both types of seats.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity of seeing this striking procession if you are in Kyoto this autumn!
Jidai Matsuri Festival Procession details and seat reservations
Procession of the Tokugawa Shogun’s Deputies / Edo Period (1603 – 1868)
