Gion Matsuri Festival

Gion Matsuri is the largest Kyoto festival that takes one month long…yes you read it right, one month festival! It is one of the most famous feasts in Japan. The festival has music and dance and in the center and most important event is the Parade of Yamaboko Junko on middle of July.

The festival named after Kyoto’s Gion district, this area prepares itself for the massive parade in its streets causing heavy traffic jam on three nights before the great parade. These nights called yioyama, yioyioyama and yioyioyioyama !!!! from July 14 to July 16.

Streets are full of colorful stalls and lights selling traditional and local food and Japanese traditional sweets. Girls dressed in their summer kimonos “Yukata” walking gently selling traditional handcrafts like purses and paper fans.

In this festival some of Kyoto families announce an open house so the visitors can exhibit the family heirlooms or folding screen festival, that’s a great opportunity for tourists and travelers to observe the Japanese traditions.