Oct 22: Jidai Matsuri and the Kurama Fire Festival
Thursday, October 22: the Jidai Matsuri procession by day, the Kurama Fire Festival by night. You can do both — if your legs are up for it.
The two festivals
Jidai Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three great festivals: some 2,000 people in costumes spanning eight eras from Meiji back to Heian, departing the Imperial Palace at noon and reaching Heian Shrine around 2:30 PM. The Kurama Fire Festival, a Yuki Shrine rite and one of Kyoto's three 'eccentric' festivals: torch processions through the village from 6 PM until midnight.
Three ways to play it
A. Both: watch 30–45 minutes of the procession on Oike-dori in the afternoon, then head to Kurama. Fullest day, most tiring. B. Jidai only: all in the city, easy transport, best with kids or if you dislike hassle. C. Fire festival only: enter Kurama in the afternoon, catch the last train or stay at Kurama Onsen after. The fire festival's intensity is something the daytime parade can't match.
If you go to Kurama
Expect traffic controls around Kurama that day; check the Eizan Electric Railway and organizers’ notices before you go. The village is small and viewing is mostly standing, so set out early. The torches and portable shrines are sacred: do not touch them, and follow staff directions.
Sources：鞍馬の火祭（Wikipedia・祭事の流れと交通規制） ↗時代祭（Wikipedia・行列の編成と時刻） ↗Kurama Fire Festival 概要（GaijinPot） ↗