Heian capital relocation and Jidai Festival

October 22nd annually is the anniversary of the Heian Capital Relocation and the "Jidai Festival", one of the three major festivals in Kyoto City.  The procession of the festival is a popular an autumn tradition that colors the city of Kyoto on this day annually for the last 130 years. 

On this day in 794 Emperor Kanmu moved the capital from Nara to modern day Kyoto which at the time was called Heian-kyo. Although, the name "Heian-kyo" wasn't officially give until November 8th the same year. The move also marked the beginning of the Heian period. It is believed that the move was to create a clean slate, so to speak, and with it more political stability.

On this day in 1895, to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the relocation, about 2000 people marched in historical attire, marking the start of the "Jidai Festival".  In honor of that first Jidai celebration in 1895, the city government built the Heian Shrine (平安神宮, Heian jingū) to enshrine the spirit of Emperor Kanmu. The Jidai festival is now held at that shrine annually. 

Have you ever been to the Jidai Festival?