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Gion Festival Yamahoko Procession Reserved Seating

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🚧 Closed for the season

The operator has not opened any dates for the next six months, so it cannot be booked right now. The service still exists and usually reopens seasonally — email OlaChill and we will tell you the moment dates go live.

· Location: Kyoto

The Gion Festival is a festival of Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto that is said to have begun in 869 with prayers for the end of an epidemic. Over the course of a month, various sacred rituals and events are held, with the yamahoko procession being the main highlight. The yamahoko procession takes place twice, on July 17 and July 24. The magnificent and ornate yamahoko floats parading through Kyoto's streets are called a "moving art museum," and as Kyoto's representative summer spectacle, they captivate visitors from around the world. On July 17, 23 yamahoko floats parade, led by the Naginata Hoko. The highlights include the impressive "tsujimawashi" (turning of the massive floats at intersections), the sounds of Gion music, and the elaborate decorative hangings. On July 24, 11 yamahoko floats parade. One of the highlights is "kuji-aratame" (lottery verification), a ceremony where the order of the procession, determined by lottery beforehand, is confirmed by the city mayor to ensure accuracy. The representatives of each yamahoko read aloud the documents recording the order, a scene that embodies the traditions unique to the Gion Festival. Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Gion Festival has been passed down for over a thousand years as Kyoto's representative festival. The yamahoko procession, its greatest highlight, captivates many as a grand traditional event symbolizing Kyoto's summer. Please enjoy the spectacle and splendor from the special reserved seating set up on Kyoto's main street, Oike-dori.

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July 17th Gion Matsuri Viewing Seats - Front Row 【Reception 5-A】

1–10 people

Departs from
¥6,000
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