Kyoto's Gion Matsuri Festival: Everything You Need to Know

Taking place throughout the month of July, the Gion Festival or Gion Matsuri is one of the biggest and longest-running festivals in Japan and the most famous festival in Kyoto.

Every year, over one million domestic and international travellers descend upon Japan's former capital city to witness the festival's massive yamaboko floats, join revellers in the streets during the evening yoiyama parties, and pay homage to the god of the Yasaka Shrine during the traditional Mikoshi Togyo parade. 

Visiting Kyoto during the Gion Festival is a true bucket list experience. If you're thinking about attending the historic festival, this complete guide to the Gion Festival has got you covered with a breakdown of what to expect during the month-long event, the must-see attractions, practical tips, as well as advice on how to attend the festivities without breaking the bank. 

Gion Matsuri first started in 869 AD. At the time, Japan was being ravaged by the plague. In an effort to put an end to the epidemic, the emperor ordered a Shinto purification ritual involving 66 halberds to be performed to appease the gods, including Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the god of Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine. 

The ritual appeared to be a success and was employed each time a new disease or natural disaster threatened the city. It didn't take long for the cleansing ritual to evolve into the elaborate month-long festival we know as Gion Matsuri today. 

The festival is perhaps best known for its two Yamaboko Junko processions: the Saki Matsuri on July 17 and the Ato Matsuri on July 24. These parades are famous for their elaborate yamaboko floats. There are two types of floats seen during the festival, each one telling a story from Japanese history or mythology. 

The hoko floats are the largest and can weigh up to 12 tons and reach up to 25 metres in height. They are so big that some require a team of 50 people to navigate them. The yama floats are smaller, but equally as ornate, and represent the mountains. There are traditionally ten hoko floats and 24 yama floats featured in the festival. It is believed that parading the floats down the city's streets helps to purify the city. 

The Saki Matsuri ("Early Festival") parade on July 17 is the largest and well worth timing your visit with, if possible. During this event, you'll have the chance to see the massive floats paraded down a three-kilometre route along Shijo, Kawaramachi, and Oike streets. This procession is led by the Naginata Boko float, which features the Sacred Child. The Sacred Child is chosen to participate in the festival each year and is considered to be a vessel for the gods. 

During Ato Matsuri ("Later Festival") on July 24, the remaining ten floats will be paraded through town. While Ato Matsuri is smaller, it is still spectacular. 

Both Yamaboko Junko parades are preceded by three nights of celebrations collectively called yoiyama. These night festivals are held from July 14 to 16 and again from July 21 to 23, preceding the float processions on July 17 and July 24. Attending at least one of these night festivals is bound to be a highlight of your Gion Festival experience. 

During the yoiyama night festivals, the streets of Shijo and Muromachi are pedestrianised and filled with street food stalls, vendors selling omamori (good luck charms) and tourist trinkets, and musicians playing traditional Gion Matsuri music. The floats are on full display and decked out with illuminated lanterns. It's even possible for tourists to climb inside some of these absolutely massive works of art. 

The Byobu Festival is also held during the three days leading up to the two Yamaboko Junko processions. During this time, many of the traditional machiya townhouses display their incredible byobu (folding screens), paintings, calligraphy, and other artworks.

This aspect of the Gion Festival allows visitors to tap into the cultural and artistic side of Kyoto in a way that's not possible at any other time of year. While many private homes and businesses display their collections for free, some do charge an entry fee.

One of the best parts of attending the yoiyama is indulging in all of the cheap street eats. Not only is eating on a budget easy during the Gion Matsuri but it's delicious. 

Popular festival foods include yakitori (skewered grilled chicken with sauce), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes with cabbage and meat), yakisoba (stir-fried noodles), takoyaki (octopus balls), kakigori (shaved ice with syrup), taiyaki (fish-shaped cookies with fillings like red bean paste and custard), and chigo mochi (special mochi made during Gion Matsuri). Of course, you can expect the beer to be flowing during the yoiyama too.

Taking place on the evenings of July 17 and 24, Mikoshi Togyo is another one of the highlights of the festival. During the Shinkosai procession on the evening of July 17, three mikoshi (portable shrines) carrying the god of the Yasaka Shrine are paraded around the streets to help cleanse Kyoto. 

The procession always starts at Yasaka Shrine and ends at the Otabisho Shrine, where the mikoshi are displayed for seven days. During the Kankousai procession on the evening of July 24, the mikoshi are returned to the Yasaka Shrine.

This event is always super festive and boisterous. You can expect to see the Sacred Child ride past you on a horse, hear lots of musicians playing flutes and drums, spot plenty of men dressed in traditional white garb, and hear onlookers cheer the procession on by yelling "Hoito! Hoito!". 

It's best to arrive at the Yamaboko Junko parades at least 30 minutes before they start. At this time, you should be able to find a front-row viewing spot. If you're travelling on a budget, there's really no need to pay for one of the reserved seats. 

In July, Kyoto is both hot and humid. While the high usually hovers around the 30°C (86°F) mark, temperatures can spike to 35°C (95°F). Be prepared for the heat, be sure to carry lots of water to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and consider walking around with an umbrella and a sunhat for some shade.  

Gion Matsuri is one of the most popular festivals in the country, which means hotels book up months in advance. If you're looking for a budget-friendly hotel that puts you within walking distance of all the action, ibis Styles Kyoto Shijo is an ideal choice. This modern hotel is located on the famous Shijo Street, where the Yamaboko Junko processions and the Yoiyama night festivals take place. Plus, you'll be within walking distance of the Shijo, Karasuma, and Omiya stations.

You'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay while attending the Gion Festival in Kyoto. Fuel up for the day with the buffet breakfast, catch up on your emails with the free high-speed Wi-Fi, and freshen up after a long day with the complimentary toiletries. And if you're looking for budget eats in Kyoto, ibis Styles Kyoto Shijo place is an easy 10-minute walk from the affordable food stalls in Nishiki Market.