Gion Matsuri

What to know

Gion Matsuri (祇園祭), the festival of Yasaka Shrine, is Japan's most famous festival. It spans the entire month of July with various events, but the grand float procession (Yamaboko Junko) on July 17 is especially spectacular. The festive evenings before the procession (Yoiyama) are also delightful.

Since 2014, a second float procession was revived on July 24 after a 48-year hiatus. This second parade features fewer and smaller floats than the one on July 17.

The term Yamaboko refers to the two types of floats used: 23 yama and 10 hoko. One reason Gion Matsuri is so impressive is the enormous hoko, which can reach 25 meters tall, weigh up to 12 tons, and are pulled on wheels as large as people. Both yama and hoko are intricately decorated and represent unique themes. The July 17 procession includes 23 yama and hoko, including the most impressive hoko, while the July 24 procession features the remaining ten.

Another reason for the festival's grandeur is its long, nearly uninterrupted history. It dates back to 869 as a religious ceremony to appease gods during an epidemic. Today, the tradition of selecting a local boy as a divine messenger continues. The child must not touch the ground from July 13 until after being paraded through town on the 17th.

Ironically, the main Gion Matsuri events do not occur in the Gion district but on the opposite side of the Kamo River. During the three days before the procession, the yama and hoko are displayed within about half a kilometer of the Karasuma and Shijo streets intersection (see map below). Some floats can be entered by tourists while on display.

The area becomes most exciting in the evenings, when streets are closed to traffic from 18:00 to 23:00 and fill with food stalls, drink vendors, and other festival attractions. These festive evenings are called Yoiyama (July 16), Yoiyoiyama (July 15), and Yoiyoiyoiyama (July 14). Similar festivities occur on the three evenings before the July 24 procession, though on a smaller scale with fewer road closures and stalls. In 2026, road closures will take place on July 15 and 16.