*The information about the Jidai Matsuri Festival in 2025 will be released on September 9th!
The Jidai Matsuri Festival is one of Kyoto’s “Three Great Festivals” and a major event held at Heian-jingu Shrine. It began in 1895 in order to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Heian-kyo (currently Kyoto).
The highlight of the event is the procession of around 2,000 citizens dressed in the style of each era of Japanese history – From the Meiji Restoration (1868-1889) to the Enryaku period (782-806) when the Heian-kyo (currently Kyoto) was built.
This beautiful and in-depth look into the history of this city will be held on October 22nd (Tue), 2024.
Meiji period (1868-1912) – Imperial loyalist troop
Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600) – Oda Nobunaga’s procession to Kyoto
Click here to learn more about Jidai Matsuri
The Kyoto City Tourism Association (DMO KYOTO) will prepare and sell tickets for the paid viewing seats of the Jidai Matsuri Festival procession. Front-row seating for those who would like to watch the procession closely as well as seating from the second row onwards will be available for reservation. A portion of the proceeds from the sales will be used to preserve and support this festival.
1. Sales will begin at:
10 A.M. (Japan time) on September 10th (Tue), 2024
2. Number and location of seats:
(1) Kyoto Gyoen National Garden: approx. 4,300 seats (from Kawaramachi-dori street to Shinmachi-dori street); Oike-dori street area
(2) Oike-dori street: approx. 1,250 seats
(3) Heian Jingu-michi street: approx. 1,300 seats
In total: approx. 6,850 seats
*The number of available seats may change depending on the number of sold tickets.
3. Procession route map
Click here or on the image to enlarge it
4. Fees
*Seat type and price (All seats are reserved seats and come with a pamphlet and commemorative card. Tax included in the price.)
| Seating type | Fee | Remarks |
| General seat (front row) | 6,000 yen | – |
| General seat (second row onwards) | 4,000 yen | – |
| “Learning” seat with an audioguide (front row) | 9,500 yen | Audioguide available in Japanese only |
| “Learning” seat with an audioguide (second row onwards) | 7,500 yen | Audioguide available in Japanese only Includes an earphone guide recorded by a specialist narrator. Available on the Heian Jingu-michi street |
What are “learning” seats?
To help the visitors learn about and enjoy the Jidai Matsuri Festival Procession more, a narrator from Rakutabi Co., Ltd; member of the Kyoto City Tourism Association has recorded an audioguide commentary that explains the procession in detail (in Japanese only).
5. Number of tickets available for purchase
Approximately 6,850 tickets.
6. How to purchase
Through the internet:
Ticket PIA:
https://w.pia.jp/a/jidaimatsuri1022eng/
At convenience stores:
・Seven-eleven:
●P-Code：654-477
・Lawson (excluding Lawson Store 100)
●L-Code：55799
・FamilyMart
*Various fees may apply depending on the payment method (according to each play service’s regulations).
*”Learning” seats with an audioguide are available for purchase only through Ticket PIA.
7. Advisory notes
- The use of parasols, umbrellas, and tripods will not be allowed in the viewing seats, as it may block the views of others.
- Please bring a raincoat in case it begins to rain during the event.
- Flash photography and accompanying pets are prohibited, as there is a a risk of them aggravating horses and cattle and making them run wild.
- Please be mindful of other visitors when taking photographs or videos.
- Please follow the instructions of the staff. Failure to comply will result in forced removal from the premises. In such cases, there will be no refund of tickets or any other compensations.
- Please note that Kyoto City Tourism Association cannot accept any responsibility for damages that occur within the seating area.
- Please take your garbage home with you.
- Smoking is prohibited.
- In case of natural disasters, the festival’s schedule and route may be changed or canceled.
8. Commemorative goods
⑴ Pamphlet (A5 size)
A pamphlet that introduces and explains the Jidai Matsuri Festival Procession. It will be distributed to all paid seats.
⑵ Commemorative card
A commemorative card with an original design that will be distributed to all paid seats. They will also be available for purchase at the Kyoto Tourist Information Center.
Purchase availability at Kyoto Tourist Information Center:
(1) Number of tickets for sale: 1,000 (estimated)
(2) Sales location: Kyoto Tourist Information Center
(3) Sales period: October 3rd (Thu) to 22nd (Tue), from 8:30 A.M. to 7 P.M.
(4) Price: 500 yen per card
*Availability ends when the cards are sold out.
*A portion of the proceeds from the sales will be used to preserve and support the Jidai Matsuri Festival.
