PHOTO GALLERY: KYOTO FESTIVAL OF AGES- JIDAI MATSURI

2011/10/23

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Kyoto Festival of Ages- Jidai Matsuri

Samurai warrior and entourage in Kyoto’s Jidai Matsuri

PHOTO GALLERY: KYOTO FESTIVAL OF AGES- JIDAI MATSURI

Kyoto is Japan’s ancient capital city, home to over 2000 temples, shrines and gardens, and Japan’s cultural heart. Throughout the year elaborate traditional festivals take place in Kyoto. One of my favorite is the Festival of Ages, held every year on October 22nd at the Kyoto Royal Palace grounds. People dress up as royalty, warriors, geisha, artists, musicians, and performers from various eras of Kyoto’s illustrious history and parade down the Royal Palace park avenues. The parade takes about 3 hours to complete. Beforehand, festival participants, decked out in elaborate costumes, relax under the parks’ centuries-old trees, waiting for the festivities to begin. I attended the Jidai Matsuri almost every year for six years while I lived in Kyoto. These photos offer a glimpse into one of Kyoto’s most spectacular festivals. SEE FULL GALLERY