祇園祭

Kyoto Gion Matsuri festival 14th July-17th July

“Intangible cultural heritage” approved by UNESCO
“One of the three major festivals”
“One of the three largest summer festivals”
“One of the three largest parade float festivals”
“One of the three largest float festivals”
As the festivals describe above, it has have an ancient and honorable origin and it is considered to be symbolic of Japan.

This is dedicated to god of Gion. It is started 1st of July as kippuiri as opening ceremony. It spans entire of month through climax of yamaboko junko parade

On 16th of July, yoiyama , the eve of yamaboko junko parade, many yama and hoko, floats, are displayed by using full of each street. Chochin, paper lanterns are swinging, accompaniment of festive music, they are just like bringing us to old Kyoto.

On 17th July, yamaboko junko parade, Naginata-boko float is the first and 32 floats are all paraded through the city. tujimawashi which is the move used to manhandle floats through right-angled turns at street corners is most exciting highlight during parade.