Introduction of the Gion Festival by Kyoto citizens. Enjoy Japanese traditional summer!

〇Introduction

Gion Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Japan.
It began in 869, during the Heian-era as a prayer for the end of epidemics. It has continued for over 1000 years throughout the month of July.
To Kyoto citizens, Gion Festival is the most exciting event of the year.
This festival allows you to enjoy Japanese tradition, Japanese summer, Japanese music, Japanese stall food.
Why don’t visit Kyoto during this festival?

〇Floats “Yama” and “Hoko”

Many elaborately decorated floats, called “Yama” and “Hoko”, parade through Kyoto city, with children on board playing traditional music.
Some floats are adorned with gorgeous ornaments, for example carpets, from China, Europe, or India.
I especially like “Toro-Yama”, a mantis-shaped float.

〇Access（Station or Bus stop)

To see the floats, it is best to get off at stations or bus stops below.
・Stations (more punctual than bus)
1.Shijo station(Karasuma line) -Best if you come from Kyoto station.
2.Karasuma-Oike station (Karasuma line)
3.Shijo station (Keihan railway) – the closest station to Yasaka shrine.
・Bus stops
1.Shijo Karasuma
2.Shijo Takakura
3.Shijo Kawaramachi

〇Fee

Spectators, can ride on the floats for about ¥500. (maybe only cash)
And during the festival, we can see treasures – mainly folding screens- of each local neighborhood.
We can also collect “Shuin-stamps” at each float for ¥300. Some bookstores sell a special notebook, called “Shuin-cho”, used to collect Shuin-stamps.
＊You can buy Shuin-cho at this library↓
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kdFL4pcmCwNQRUjA7
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EP4ypuQU14576iqo9
https://maps.app.goo.gl/c1NLPJUMw7bk4Cf6A

This festival is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

〇Schedule

I think it’s best to go between 7/14~7/24.
・Yoiyama(Pre-Festival):7/14~7/16（Open-air-stall: 7/15, 16)
・Yoiyama(Post-Festival): 7/21~23
・Parade of Floats: 7/17, 7/24
On 15.16 July, you can enjoy many kinds of food and drink sold at stalls. Beer, takoyaki, Kakigoori(Ice with Syrup), Ringo-Ame(an apple coated with candy)…
As some stalls accept only cash, bring some cash with you.
On 17.24. July, you can see the parade of floats. Many people pull the floats around the town, and when turning a corner, they use a wet bamboo rail to rotate it little by little. As the floats weigh about 10t, this rotation is quite impressive. (This rotation is called “Tsuji-mawashi”. Tsuji means a corner, and mawashi means a rotation.)
From 14 to 25. July, you can see the floats around the town. At each float, you can buy some sake and amulets or collect Shuin-stamps.