Kyoto City Hall

The most renowned of all traditional Japanese festivals, Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri has a storied history dating back to the year 869, when it was first held as an appeasing ceremony to the gods to rid the city of an epidemic. What’s truly impressive is that this grand tradition has survived for over a millennium while retaining much of its elaborate rituals. While Gion Matsuri spans the entire month of July with numerous festivities revolving around its host, the Yasaka Shrine, the main highlight is the spectacular Yamaboko float procession happening on July 17, followed by a second, smaller one a week later on July 24. The biggest procession of the two, the Saki Matsuri Junko on July 17, features 23 massive multi-storey floats. These awe-inspiring vessels, known as Yamaboko, measure up to 25 metres tall and weigh as much as 12 tons. Each is unique in design, yet all of them are embellished with ornate tapestries as well as intricate carvings and woodwork. In fact, these floats hold such historical and artistic significance that they are designated Important Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. The procession follows a 3km route across the city centre, starting at the Shijo-Karasuma junction at 9am and ending at the Karasuma-Oike junction at around 2pm. For the best view, park yourself at one of the major intersections along the route to witness the famous 90-degree turn known as Tsujimawashi. This is where the gigantic floats make a corner pivot manually using just bamboo...