Jidai Matsuri festival in Kyoto About 2,000 people in costumes from a variety of Japan's historical periods paraded through Kyoto. They were taking part in the Jidai Matsuri, or the Festival of the Ages, one of the ancient Japanese capital's three largest festivals. The event dates back to 1895, when it was held to celebrate the 1,100th year since the capital was transferred to Kyoto.