Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, Japanese traditional prominent festival with a history of over 1150 years

Gion Matsuri is an annual festival in Kyoto, Japan. It is one of the country's most famous and important festivals, dating back over 1150 years. The festival takes place throughout July and culminates in a grand procession known as the Yamahoko Junko (two processions take place early and late part of the festival).
It was originally held during the Heian period, in the eighth to 12th centuries, to pray for the end of an epidemic in the city's Higashiyama Ward.
Kyoto's streets come alive during the festival with colorful decorations, food stalls, traditional performances, and processions. The main event, the Yamahoko Junko, features magnificent floats which are elaborate structures adorned with tapestries, lanterns, and other decorations. These floats are paraded through the streets by teams of men dressed in traditional clothing.
The Gion Matsuri also includes various other events and rituals, such as religious ceremonies, music and dance performances. It attracts both locals and tourists from around the world, providing a unique opportunity to experience Kyoto's rich cultural heritage.
The most attractive float is the Naginata hoko float, which carries a child regarded as a sacred child (designated among the merchant families).
Then, the float at the center of attention for the festival 2022 was the Takayama float which came back to the festival after 196 years. The float was heavily damaged by strong wind and rain in 1826, and could not be included in the Gion Festival parade from the following year. Thanks to its preservation association, it took 9 years to restore the float to participate in the parade.
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Useful Information
Date: Entire of July
07.10 to 07.14: Construction of floats for the early part of the festival
07.10: Mikoshi arai (purification ceremony with Mikoshi, portable shrine)
07.12 to 07.13: Trial run of some floats
07.14 to 07.16: Pre-festival (night festival held on 15th and 16th July)
07.17: 1st procession of floats
07.18 to 07.21: Construction of floats for late part of the festival
07.20 to 07.21: Trial run of some floats
07.21 to 07.23: Pre-festival
07.24: Procession of floats
07.28: Mikoshi arai (purification ceremony with Mikoshi)
Official site: www.gionmatsuri.or.jp/foreign/en/
Kyoto City Tourism Association: kyoto.travel/en/season_festiv...
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FAQ
- Do I have to pay any entrance fee?
NO (except paid seats). You can visit inside the floats (a fee is required).
- When are the most important events?
15,16 (pre-festival), 17 (1st procession), 21,22,23 (pre-festival) and 24 July (2nd procession of floats)
- How to go see the floats?
By walking or bicycle. During the festival, there is a heavy traffic jam, especially in downtown.
- Where can I get “chimaki” (talisman or amulets to ward off bad luck)?
Sold in the tent of each float (500 - 1000 JPY)
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CHAPTERS
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00:00 Start
00:19 Construction of floats (07.11)
01:21 Construction of floats (07.13)
06:37 Pre-night festival (07.15)
08:59 Preparation for 1st procession (07.17)
09:40 Yamahoko floats parade 1 (07.17)
21:53 Preparation & trial run (07.20)
26:06 Preparation for 2nd procession (07.24)
29:07 Yamahoko floats parade 2 (07.24)
36:07 End of the festival
36:26 End
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#kyoto #summer #festival
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[@NealeOBrien]

This is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life!!! 🥰🥰🥰 The float were absolutely amazing, in their construction and in their use! Are there ever any accidents, especially with the very tall ones? The way they turned the big heavy ones was incredible!
If I had the chance, I would love to see it for real.
Thank you for this amazing and beautiful video.

[@Tanukinomorijp]

Thank you for watching and for your comment☺️
All floats are constructed one by one by specific districts. I don’t think there have been serious accidents before, especially compared to the Danjiri festival in Osaka, which is dynamic and energetic.
I hope you will see the Gion festival in person one day! But be prepared-it’s very hot in Kyoto during the festival 🥵