It is characterized by the following: the prosperity of waka, diaries, chronicles, which occurred because description of ancient and medieval Japanese became easier following the invention of hiragana (Japanese syllabary characters) and katakana (one of the Japanese syllabaries); the appearance of Kan-i-sokutai (official uniform in aristocratic culture), and the appearance of Shinden-zukuri style (architecture representative [characteristic] of a nobleman's residence in the Heian period).
特徴としては、平仮名・片仮名の発明で中古日本語の表記が容易になったことによる、和歌・日記・物語文学の隆盛、官衣束帯の登場（官服の国風化）、寝殿造の登場などがある。