Gion Matsuri is hosted by Yasaka Shrine and has been celebrated for over 1,100 years, earning UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status. The highlight is the Yamaboko Junko procession on July 17th and 24th, when dozens of enormous wooden floats — some over 25 metres tall — are pulled through central Kyoto by teams in traditional dress. The preceding evenings (Yoiyama) transform the Shijo-Karasuma area into a pedestrian festival with street food and yukata-clad crowds.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Summer
- Month
- July
- Region
- Kansai
- Prefecture
- Kyoto
- City
- Kyoto
Highlights
- ◆UNESCO-listed Yamaboko float processions on July 17 & 24
- ◆Yoiyama evening street festival with food stalls
- ◆Floats decorated with historic Nishijin textiles and antiques
- ◆Yasaka Shrine ceremonies and Naginata Hoko purification ritual
- ◆Opportunity to wear rental yukata in authentic surroundings