Gion Festival 2022 footages after 3 years!-2
I’m Nobu, I like traveling overseas and in Japan, visited 25 countries. I’ve got the license of the certificate English guide in Japan for 8 years.
I show you hidden Japan which you have never seen and heard of!
History
The Gion Festival is a festival of the Yasaka Shrine (Gion Shrine) in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto.
It has been a summer tradition in Kyoto since 869.
In 2019, the 1150th anniversary of the festival was held.
The Gion Festival is a month-long event that begins on July 1 and continues until the end of July.
This is the symbol of summer in Kyoto.
This year Gion festival 2022 is happening after 3 years!
I post some footages!
Floats
The highlight of the festival is the 33 floats.
The day before the festival, the floats are set up along Shijo Dori and other streets and lit up.
These make the town even more magical.
Floats events are divided into two festivals.
These are Mae-matsuri (First half festival) and the Goto-matsuri (Latter half festival ), separated by depending on the time when the floats are set up.
The floats event is called Yoiyama (meaning “night before the festival”).
The most prominent events are Yoiyama (First half festival : July 14-16, Latter half festival : July 21-23) .
And Yamaboko Junko ( floats processing)(First half festival : July 17, Latter half festival : July 24).
There are shops at the each floats, Chimaki( lucky food) , amulet, fortune and books, etc….
Some floats can go inside if you buy ticket or buy something at the shop!
Floats exhibition
On July 14, 15, and 16, old houses and shops display traditional folding screens and other treasures.
Also each float has their own exhibits.
This can be seen by those who pass ( like us) by on the street.
It is very enjoyable to see the inside of people’s houses.
This is also known as the Byobu ( folding screen) Festival.
Junko ( floats processing)
Also, during the Yamaboko Junko( floats processing) , 33 floats, designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties, decorated with various arts and crafts, travel along public roads.
The festival is often compared to a “moving museum” because of this.
The largest float, Naginataboko( long sword float) , is 25 meter high and weighs 11 tons.
The Gion Festival is one of the three major festivals in Japan (the others being the Tenjin Festival in Osaka, the Kanda Festival in Tokyo).
But I think Gion festival is number one in terms of luxury and the scale on which it covers up the entire city.
Why don’t you go to the Gion Festival and experience the essence of Japanese culture?
I’m Nobu, one heart enjoy together!!!
