Gion Matsuri

Gion Matsuri is one of the largest festivals in Japan. During the month of July, the ancient capital city of Kyoto seems to travel back in time.

Kyoto, approximately 200 miles west of Tokyo and next to Osaka, is one of the few Japanese cities left where you can still see what Japan looked like many years ago. There are over 1800 temples and shrines in Kyoto, with many of them hundreds of years old. Kyoto is the perfect place to visit if you are interested in ancient Japanese history and Gion Matsuri is the time to visit Kyoto.

The month long celebration starts start July 1st. Throughout July, there are street fairs with games and Japanese festival food like takoyaki (balls of egg battered octopus) and tomorokoshi (grilled ears of corn brushed with soy sauce.) The parade floats are also constructed on the city streets and some floats can be toured. Many festival goers dress in yukata (light summer kimonos) and geta (high wooden shoes.)

Gion Matsuri actually started under very oppressive circumstances in 869 when a plague raged through Kyoto. A priest of the Yasaka (or Gion) shrine led a procession of people through kyoto in an attempt to appease the Shinto gods. The plague soon ended but this event became a popular festival with large floats (Hoko & Yama) now being paraded through Kyoto.

Gion Matsuri reaches a high point on the 17th during Yamahoko Junko when 32 Yama & Hoko floats are paraded through downtown Kyoto. The floats, some of which weigh over 10 tons are very elaborate and many are decorated with Dutch and Turkish tapestries from the 15th century.

Each of the large Hoko floats carries musicians and truly looks a couple of centuries out of place as it is pulled through the streets. The Hoko floats are so big that they must be pulled by a large team of attendants.

One the most interesting sights during Gion Matsuri is to watch the floats being turned. The Hoko and Yama are pivoted using blocks of wood in an elaborate maneuver to get them to turn at right angles.

Yamahoko Junko is the one part of Gion Matsuri that visitors shouldn't miss. It is truly like no other parade you will ever see.

After Yamahoko Junko, there is still plenty to do in Kyoto. The parade goes right through Kyoto's downtown shopping district, which has large department stores like Takashimaya and markets like Nishiki-Koji.

There are also many nearby temples and shrines that are worth visiting. Many temples are very close to each other which makes for perfect walking tours. Between temple tours, energy can be replenished at Kyoto's many tachigui. These are stand-up noodle bars where you can get a bowl of soba or udon for a couple of dollars.

posted by harith ~_~"