Gion Matsuri, a festival with a history of 1,000 years and a prayer to ward off epidemics

Gion Matsuri, one of the three major festivals in Japan, is a festival held at Yasaka Shrine in Gion, Kyoto. It began in 869 (Joukan 11) during the early Heian period (794-1192). The origin of the festival is said to date back to 869 (Jougan 11), when 66 halberds, the number of halberds in the country at that time, were erected and a portable shrine was sent to Shinsen-en, a garden in Heian-kyo, to pray for the suppression of an epidemic that was spreading across the country. The highlights of the festival are the Yamaboko Junko (parade of floats) and Mikoshi Togyo (portable shrine procession) held on July 17 and July 24. Yamaboko Junko, a spectacular pageant, is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Gion Festival" Calendar

The following is a schedule of typical rituals and events of the Gion Festival held throughout July. The schedule is based on the dates of the past years, but the content is subject to change, so please check the Yasaka Shrine, Yamahoko Federation, or the official website of Kyoto Tourism for details before visiting the festival.

Details .

Magnificent! Yamaboko Junko, a procession of floats, is known as a "moving museum.

The main event of the Gion Festival is the parade of portable shrines. On the other hand, the Yamaboko procession, the other main event, is said to purify the streets of Miyako-oji before welcoming the portable shrines carrying the deities of Yasaka Shrine. The attraction of this event is the gorgeous and gorgeous floats that have been built by successive generations of townspeople to the utmost of their extravagance and in competition with each other. The superbly crafted lacquered floats are decorated with masterpieces of goldsmithing, embroidery, and textiles from all ages and cultures. The sight of the floats moving gracefully along the Miyakooji Street, accompanied by the chants of "Enya la la la la" and the music of the Gion music band, is breathtakingly beautiful. This is why it is called a "moving museum.

There are two chances to see the Yamaboko procession: on July 17 for the Mae-matsuri and on July 24 for the Goto-matsuri. Twenty-three floats will appear at the Mae-matsuri and 11 floats at the Goto-matsuri. The history and unique design of each float is a must-see, including the Naginataboko float, which is ridden by a child, a messenger of God, and leads the Mae Matsuri; the Funaboko float, which is shaped like a boat; and the Mantis float, which features a mantis that moves with a mechanical device. There will be paid seats for spectators on Oike-dori.

Enjoy the atmosphere of "Yoiyama

Yoiyama," held one to three days before the Yamaboko procession, is another essential part of the Gion Festival. Yoiyama is an event that takes place one to three days prior to the Yamaboko Junko, and is an essential part of the Gion Festival. The floats are decorated beautifully in each town, and ornaments and sacred dolls are on display, and chimakis (good luck charms made from bamboo branches) and red seals are given to ward off evil spirits. It is also fun to stroll through the Yamahoko-machi, listening to the music of Gion-bayashi (Gion music) and children's warabeuta (folk songs). The Komagata lanterns floating in the evening darkness are also fantastic. On July 15 and 16, the entire Karasuma-Shijo Street area is usually a pedestrian paradise. The crowds are at their busiest on July 15 and 16.

The dynamic "Mikoshi-togyo," the highlight of the festival

The "Mikoshi Togyo" (portable shrine procession) is a dramatic change from the graceful Yamahoko-junko (parade of floats) to the heroic intensity of the "Mikoshi Togyo". In the evening of the day of the parade, three portable shrines carrying the Yasaka Shrine's deities go around the town to purify the town. The sight of the portable shrines being carried by the shrine parishioners, each weighing more than 2 tons, is a powerful sight, and the dazzling lights of the portable shrines are a source of great joy to the spectators. The dazzling glow of the mikoshi is also a divine sight to behold. The excitement that builds gradually, and the sense of elation that is created as the participants and the spectators along the route become one, is a unique experience. It would be a shame to leave after seeing only the Yamaboko floats. Please visit the festival in conjunction with the Yamaboko floats.

Enjoy "Kyoto's musical boats" at HOSHINOYA Kyoto

HOSHINOYA offers an overwhelmingly extraordinary experience at each of its properties, each with its own unique theme. HOSHINOYA Kyoto, an all-room river view inn located in Arashiyama, Kyoto, will hold the "Kyo no Ohayashi Boat" event on June 21, 22, 28, and 29, 2025, to enjoy summer in Kyoto in an elegant manner. This is an event where visitors can enjoy the elegant sound of contikitin echoing through the Arashikyo in a different atmosphere from that of the Gion music heard in the city. The stage is moved from the Yamaboko floats to the Yagata-bune, and the Gion-bayashi is played on the Oigawa River, which flows right in front of HOSHINOYA Kyoto. After viewing the Gion music, participants are invited to join the musicians in an ensemble performance, a rare experience for participants only. This is an event where you can elegantly enjoy the coming of summer in Kyoto, just like the Heian aristocrats who used to enjoy boating on the Ooigawa River.
→Click here for details of "Kyoto Music Boat".