Gion Matsuri 2024: Kyoto’s Iconic Summer Festival

Gion Matsuri is an ancient festival in Kyoto and a great time to visit Japan. Enjoy Japanese traditions and interact with the locals. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Gion Matsuri 2024.

What is Gion Matsuri?

The Gion Matsuri began to honor the gods during an epidemic, choosing a local boy as the god’s messenger. From 13 July until the first parade ends on 17 July, he sits on one of the many elaborate floats with his feet off the ground.

Matsuri means festival in Japanese. In general, any of a wide variety of civil and religious ceremonies in Japan

The Evolution of Gion Matsuri Through the Centuries

The festival began in 869 AD as a plague ceremony and has changed from a spiritual event to a big celebration of Kyoto’s culture. The festival grew during the Edo period, faced challenges during the Meiji Restoration, and revived after WWII. Gion Matsuri represents Kyoto’s heritage.

Main Events and Highlights

Yamahoko Junko: The Grand Float Processions

The Yamaboko Junko is the festival’s main event, with huge floats decorated with beautiful ornaments. They also have statues of scenes from Shinto and Buddhism.

Traditional Ceremonies and Rituals

Yoiyama evenings: before the Yamahoko Junko, locals display family heirlooms and decorate their homes.

Mikoshi Togyo: It is a key ritual where portable shrines (mikoshi) carrying deities are paraded from Yasaka Shrine to purify the city and bless the residents

Nagoshisai: A purification ritual that allows participants to walk through a ring of woven grass to cleanse themselves of misfortune.

Cultural Activities and Local Involvement

Community Efforts to Preserve the Festival

Yamaboko Preservation Societies: Each yamaboko is maintained by neighborhood associations responsible for preserving the floats and teaching construction, decoration, and parade protocols.

Participate in Traditional Music and Dance: Traditional music and dance make the events funnier and show old traditions. While the parade takes place musicians play flutes and drums on floats, performing lively Gion Bayashi music.

Volunteer Participation: The Gion Matsuri relies on local volunteers to help with the festival. Therefore volunteers make sure the event runs smoothly and that traditional rituals are followed.

Crowdfunding and Donations: Locals and businesses have turned to crowdfunding to help with festival maintenance and activities.

Travel Tips and Visitor Information

The main events of Gion Matsuri take place on July 17 and July 24. During these periods, certain streets, near the festival, are closed to traffic, and public transportation may become more congested.

Although some major roads are closed to vehicles during the parade and Yoiyama evenings, pedestrian-only zones allow walking and enjoying the floats and festivities.

In addition, some key stations are convenient for accessing the festival areas. The Karasuma and Tozai subway lines are ideal for avoiding street closures and traffic jams.

• Tip: This is a digital map you can access to check the best route you can go at the Gion Matsuri Festival.

Gion Matsuri 2024 Schedule and Key Dates

• The Gion Festival is from July 1 to July 31, 2024.
• Yoiyama (pre-festival):  July 14-16
• Food stands: July 15-16
• Yoiyama (post-festival): July 21-23
• Saki Matsuri Yamaboko procession: July 17
• Ato Matsuri Yamaboko procession: July 24

Stay Connected During Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri 2024 with Yoho Mobile

Stay connected at any time and place with an eSIM. Yoho Mobile provides the best eSIM to suit all your travel needs. Consult the free streets during the parade or interesting places to visit at the festival. Don’t miss the opportunity.