In July,Gion Matsuri Festival is held in Kyoto during whole month.
There is also a revival event”Ato matsuri” after half a century.
GION MATSURI
The Gion Matsuri in Kyoto is one of the three greatest local festivals in Japan.
The other two are the Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo and Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. Among three the Gion Matsuri may be sid to be the largest and gayest festival in Japan.
It is observed annually from July 1 to 31 as the midsummer celebration of Yasaka Shrine.
The highlights of this celebration take place on the 17th(Saki Matsuri) and the 24th(Ato Matsuri) when the parade of 33 floates is demonstrated along the main streets of the city.
ORIGIN
While Kyoto was the capital of Japan,the whole country was stricken with plague in 869,so the Emperor dispatched his special messenger to Yasaka Shrine to pray for the immediate end of the terrible plague. And he also commanded Yasaka Shrine to erect sixty-six halberds representing the sixty-six provinces of the country.
Also. it was generally believed that the spirit of the Brother of the Sun Goddess in Japanese mythology was enshrined in Gion Shrine,the old name of Yasaka Shrine and furthermore that this spirit was transferred to several sacres carriages belonging to Yasaka Shrine.
This spirit was said to have unusual power to combat the plague,therefore,these sacred carriages were carried in the middle of Kyoto by young men of the city and of the neighboring farms.
In the result the terrible plague disappeared,and people were gratified with the celebrration.
In appreciation,the people of Kyoto made it a rule to have this festival in 970.
Therefore people can now enjoy this celebration every year.
OUTLINE OF THE FESTIVITIES
July 14~16:Former Festival Yoiyama
The pedestrian roads and the floats themselves are gorgeously decoreted with festival lanterns.
At dark,all of these are lighted,and the Gion Matsuri chant from the floats fills the air.
Each float has its own room nearby,where the treasures which are to be fastened to it for the procession may be seen.
July 17,9:00AM :Former Festival Yamahoko-Junko
The parade of 23 floats is demonstrated along Shijo,Kawaramachi and Oike street.
Their beautiful decorations appear even more splendid under the bright summer sunshine.
July 17:Shinko-Sai
Around 4:00PM the three sacred carriages are carried from the Shrine on the shoulders of men,who consider it an extreme honor to have been xhosen for such privileged positions.
The saxred carriages arribe shortle afterward at their temporary abode located on Shijo street.
July 21~23:Latter Festival Yoiyama
The pedestrian roads and the floats themselves are gorgeously decoreted with festival lanterns.
At dark,all of these are lighted,and the Gion Matsuri chant from the floats fills the air.
Each float has its own room nearby,where the treasures which are to be fastened to it for the procession may be seen.
July 24,9:30AM :Latter Festival Yamahoko-Junko
the parade of 10 floats is demonstrated along Oike,Kawaramachi and Shijo street.
TRAFFIC WAY from here(Guesthouse WAON) to the place of the festival
(1)Walk to the east about 15minutes
(2)Ride the Subway at Kuramaguchi station(Southbound)
(3)Get off at Shijo-Karasuma station.
(4)Around the station,the main place of the festival.
☆During the festival some roads may be closed.So we recommend subway rather than bus.
Thank you very much for reading!