To Our Dear Guests,
With the arrival of true summer,
Kyoto once again comes alive with one of its most iconic traditional events—Gion Matsuri! 🥳✨
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Recognized as one of the Three Great Festivals of Japan and designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this thousand-year-old festival transforms Kyoto into a city of celebration throughout July.
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Centered around Yasaka Shrine, Gion Matsuri unfolds across the streets of downtown Kyoto, with spectacular rituals, sacred processions, and community-driven traditions known as Yamaboko events.
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This article will guide you through the key events and highlights of Gion Matsuri—from the vibrant Yoiyama nights to the stunning Yamaboko processions—a must-see summer tradition in Kyoto! 🎐🏮
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⛩️【Gion Matsuri 2025｜Overview】
📅 Festival Period: July 1 – July 31, 2025
🎎 Main Shrine: Yasaka Shrine
📍 Main Areas: Shijo Street, Karasuma Street, Oike Street, and surrounding neighborhoods
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🔥【 Highlights】
⛩️【Yoiyama (Pre-Festival Nights – Saki Matsuri)】
📅 July 14–16 (Street food stalls on July 15 & 16)
⏰ 18:00–23:00, Pedestrian-only zone
✨ Streets come alive with illuminated floats, traditional Gion Bayashi music, festive stalls, and the Byobu Matsuri, where traditional townhouses display treasured folding screens and artworks.
⛩️【Yamaboko Procession (Saki Matsuri – First Parade)】
📅 July 17 (23 floats participate)
⏰ 09:00 Shijo-Karasuma → 09:35 Kawaramachi-Shijo
⏰ →10:20 Kawaramachi-Oike → 11:20 Shinmachi-Oike
✨ The highlight is the dynamic “Tsuji-mawashi”, where massive floats are manually turned at intersections.
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🏮【Shinko-sai (Sacred Procession)】
📅 July 17
⏰ 18:00 – Departs from Yasaka Shrine
⏰ 21:00 – Arrives at Shijo Otabisho
✨ Three sacred Mikoshi (portable shrines) are carried through the city by torchlight, symbolizing the presence of the gods.
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⛩️【Yoiyama (Ato Matsuri – Later Festival Nights)】
📅 July 21–23
⏰ Lights off around 21:00
✨ Unlike the lively first Yoiyama, the second is calm and atmospheric, perfect for those seeking a quieter cultural experience.
⛩️【Yamaboko Procession (Ato Matsuri – Second Parade)】
📅 July 24 (11 floats participate)
⏰ 09:30 Karasuma-Oike → 10:00 Kawaramachi-Oike
⏰ →10:40 Shijo-Kawaramachi → 11:20 Shijo-Karasuma
✨ With a smaller scale than the first parade, this elegant procession offers a more peaceful and refined ambiance.
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🏮【 Kanko-sai (Return Procession)】
📅 July 24
⏰ 17:00 – Departs Shijo Otabisho
⏰ 22:00–23:00 – Returns to Yasaka Shrine
✨ The three Mikoshi return to the shrine late at night, symbolizing the successful conclusion of the festival.
🌟 In total, 23 Yamaboko floats appear during the first parade and 11 in the second. Each float is about 25 meters tall, weighs up to 12 tons, and is pulled through the streets by 40–50 people. 💨
🌟 Yoiyama refers to the festive evenings before the processions, with both early and late events. Lanterns decorate the streets and turn Kyoto into a magical open-air night market. 🏮
🎎【Other Notable Events】
📅 July 5 – Chigo Dance at Naginata Hoko
📅 July 10–14 – Yamaboko Float Construction
📅 July 10 – Lantern Parade & Mikoshi Purification
📅 July 12–13 & 20 – Yamaboko Pulling Experience (Hikizome)
📅 July 14–16 – Byobu Matsuri (Folding Screen Displays)
📅 July 15–16 – Traditional Performing Arts & Iwami Kagura
📅 July 24 – Hoko Umbrella Procession (Hanagasa Junko)
📅 July 29 – Final Thanksgiving Ritual (Shinji Sumi Hokokusai)
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🚇【Getting There】
🚃 Hankyu Line: Karasuma Station, Kawaramachi Station
🚃 Keihan Line: Gion-Shijo Station
🚌 City Bus: Take Route 206 from Kyoto Station to Gion
🚉 Subway: Karasuma-Oike Station, Shijo Station (walking distance)
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✨Experience Kyoto’s summertime at FUGASTAY Shijo Omiya！
Our hotel is located in the heart of Kyoto, offering excellent access to the main Yamaboko parade routes along Shijo and Karasuma Streets—all within walking distance.
From the magical glow of Yoiyama, the sounds of traditional festival music, the lively Mikoshi processions, to the serene atmosphere of the Later Festival Nights,—enjoy the full experience of Kyoto’s summer festival in the comfort of our relaxing, Japanese-style accommodations.
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Sincerely look forward to your visit!
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- You can book your stay from our home page!
- If there is anything you don’t understand after the appointment, please call for advice.
FUGASTAYSHIJIOOMIYA MANAGER