[Kyoto] The dynamic Yamahoko parade @ Gion Festival

●Name Yamahoko Procession @ Gion Festival Pre-Festival ●Access 〠Shijo Karasuma → Shijo Kawaramachi → Kawaramachi Oike → Shinmachi Oike 🚗Use nearby parking ●Points The biggest attraction of the Gion Festival is the Yamahoko Procession 23 Yamahoko floats parade through Kyoto City, with the Naginata Hoko at the front The order of the parade is decided by a lottery ceremony held on July 2nd The leading Naginata Hoko is called "Kujitorizurazu" and is decided to be the leader every year The parade route is Shijo Karasuma → Shijo Kawaramachi → Kawaramachi Oike → Shinmachi Oike At corners, it is called Tsujimawashi and is a procession of floats weighing over 10 tons. The Hoko is rotated by pouring water over split bamboo and sliding it over it. Then it is returned to each Hokomachi and dismantled as soon as it returns. It is said that the parade of the Yamahoko through the town attracts bad luck, so this is to prevent the bad luck that has been collected from staying. There are paid viewing seats, but the floats are paraded along the main roads, so you can see them anywhere. In fact, the Gion Festival is often thought to be centered around the Yamahoko parade, but... The Shinko Festival is held at night, and three mikoshi (portable shrines) are carried through the parishioner area in a heroic manner, creating a lot of excitement. #KyotoTourism #GionFestival #TraditionalCulture #777 #NakagyoWard