July1st ~ 31st
Gion-Matsuri Festival
Gion-Matsuri Festival is a festival of Yasaka Shrine located in eastern Gion, which started in the 9th century. It was originally held to drive away the evil spirits.
32 “hoko” big floats, which used to be the symbols of each prefecture in old Japan, are completely constructed in the middle of July. Their decorations are amazing!
You can enjoy the hoko riding, the unique music called Gion-bayashi with the Japanese drums, flutes and bells. The hoko procession on July 17th, called “a moving museum” is the climax of the festival.
Don’t miss this chance to see the living culture of Kyoto moving and other traditional events during the festival!
10th
Welcoming lanterns at Yasaka Shrine, 16:30~
10th
Mikoshi purification at Shijo-ohashi brigde, 20:00~
10th ~ 14th
Hoko construction at the Hoko towns
14th ~ 16th
Eve of the grand Procession at the Hoko towns
15th
Traditional Japanese Perfornance at Yasaka Shrine, 15:00-18:00
16th
Tea ceremony Festival at Yasaka Shrine, 9:00~
17th
Grand Procession, starts at Shijo Street, 9:00~
32 hoko floats meet at Shijo-karasuma and start a procession, led by Naginata-boko, to the east on Shijo Street.
The cutting of the sacred rope by a specially chosen child and the large-scale turning of the floats called tsujimawashi are the highlights of the procession.
24th
Flower umbrella Procession at Yasaka Shrine, 10:00~
25th
Kyogen performance at Yasaka Shrine, 11:00~
28th
Mikoshi purification at the corner of Shijo Street and Kawabata Street, 20:00~
31st
Summer purification Ceremony at Eki Shrine in the Yasaka Shrine Ground, 10:00~
