Gion Matsuri history:

Kyoto has suffered on many occasions from all kinds of bad omens, including epidemics, floods, fires, and earthquakes. To keep the spirits from being angry, special protective or goryo-e festivals have been held in Kyoto since ancient times. The first Gion Matsuri, one of Japan's oldest goryo-e festivals, was held in the early Heian period (794-1185) to stop a series of devastating plagues.

Though the festival began as a religious purification ritual, by the end of the Kamakura period (1185-1333) it had also become a way for craft guilds and merchant families to compete in showing off their wealth and taste. Large floats (still known as hoko), musicians, dances, comic plays, and artistic treasures were all part of the celebrations at the close of the 10th century. As the hoko became increasingly elaborate and heavier, large wheels were added so that the floats could be rolled. In the 14th century, the hoko acquired a second story for musicians and page boys. From the late 16th century onwards, as a result of the growing prosperity of Kyoto's merchants, artwork from China, Persia, and even Europe found their way along the Silk Road to the capital.

Gion Matsuri Festival 2020 Schedule:

• Omukae Chochin (welcoming lanterns ceremony)
• Mikoshi Arai (mikoshi purification)
• Byobu Matsuri (folding screen festival)
• Kencha Matsuri (tea ceremony festival)
• Yamaboko Junko parade
• Hanagasa Junko (flower umbrella procession)
• Kyogen Performance
• Nagoshi-sai (Summer purification ceremony and closing)

Tips:

• Get to the Yamaboko Junko early. Though the festivities start at 9 a.m., it’s a good idea to get to the parade route as early as possible. Consider staking out a spot at the intersection of Shinjo and Karasuma, where the parade begins.
• Wear a traditional Yakata to the parade. This is how the locals dress. It’s fun and you will fit in.
• Dress for the weather. It can be oppressively hot and humid this time of the year. Pack accordingly.
• Budget some extra time to explore Kyoto’s temples and various sites: the World Heritage-listed site of the Golden Temple, the Red Gates of Fushimi Inari (one of our favorites), and the bamboo forests of Arashiyama.