After rainy seasons called TSUYU, the real hot summer season starts. The rain enriches the soil and nature then they transform into a gift of nature for us. The Gion Festival is the symbol of our summer event and, it could be, No Gion Festival, No summer for us. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yamahoko Junko had to be canceled for the last two years. However, it is now set to return to the festival for the first time in three years this summer.
The Gion Festival is the biggest festival during the summer in Kyoto and it is also known as one of the three largest in Japan. It is held every year for an entire month in Kyoto in July. It originates from the Goryo-e, a ceremony to calm evil spirits that began in the mid-Heian Period. According to Yasaka Shrine legend, it started in 869, when Japan was plagued with natural disasters, eruptions, earthquakes, and many other times of trouble.
On the evenings of July 14th to 16th, people dressed in summer Yukata filled the street to admire the lanterns-festooned floats, listen to festival music, and enjoy a convivial atmosphere during the month-long Gion- Festival.
If anyone has already experienced The Gion Festival or heard, how about letting your memories continue to emerge with our products.
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The highlights of the Gion Festival take place on the 17th and 24th. 23 floats are borne through the main streets of central Kyoto this year. Many of them are decorated with antique textiles, art objects, and many treasures and ornaments which distinguish these floats were imported from ancient China, Persia, Old Korea, Holland, France, and other countries noted for their fine treasures.
Standing eighty-two feet tall (twenty-five meters) and weighing twelve tons with no nail used on assembling the spear float. Two grand processions of floats (Yamahoko Junko) held on the 17th and 24th of July won recognition on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Having said that, traveling abroad still requires much attention for visiting Japan. However, it is too early to be disappointed by the current situation. You still have hope in our website for you !! Please visit our website, we have been offering varieties of crafted products related to The Gion Festival for you. Let’s enjoy this hot summer together.