Gion Matsuri

The Gion Festival (祇園祭 Gion Matsuri^?) takes place annually in Kyoto and is one of the most famous festivals in Japan. It spans the entire month of July and is crowned by a parade, the Yamaboko Junkō (山鉾巡行^?) on July 17. It takes its name from Kyoto's Gion district.

Kyoto's downtown area is reserved for pedestrian traffic on the three nights leading up to the massive parade.

• July 14: Yoiyoiyoiyama
• July 15: Yoiyoiyama
• July 16: Yoiyama
• July 16: Yoimiya shinshin hono shinji, dedicative art performances
• July 17: Parade of yamaboko floats

During the yoiyama evenings leading up to the parade, some private houses in the old kimono merchant district open their entryways to the public, exhibiting valuable family heirlooms, in a custom known as the Byōbu Matsuri, or Folding Screen Festival. This is a precious opportunity to visit and observe traditional Japanese residences of Kyoto.

The floats in the Yoiyama Parade are divided into two groups, Hoko and Yama, and are collectively called Yamaboko (or Yamahoko).