Kyoto’s Famous Gion Festival One of Japan’s most famous festivals, the Gion Festival in Kyoto consists of two parts, the Saki Matsuri (the “early festival”) and the Ato Matsuri (the “later festival”). In Japanese the huge month-long festival is known as the Gion Matsuri. With hours-long processions and colorful decorations, the Gion Festival represents some of Japan’s finest culture and artistic achievements, as well as diverse spiritual traditions. Festival events are a perfect blend of mystery, history, art, and magical elements.
The Gion Matsuri began more than 1150 years ago. The public portions of the festival begin in the second week of July, with the Saki Matsuri. It culminates with a procession of yamaboko floats on the morning of July 17. That evening sees a procession of mikoshi, four portable shrines carried on the shoulders of hundreds of men through downtown Kyoto. The festival continues with the Ato Matsuri during the third week of July, peaking with another procession of floats and mikoshi shrines on July 24. All floats are beautifully crafted and decorated with Japan’s finest craftsmanship and artwork, including a world-renowned collection of international textiles. The portable shrines are also beautifully crafted with fine metalwork.
