祇園祭り２/Gion matsuri fes. in Kyoto JAPAN (by orihimerurupi/あぃ)

The Gion Matsuri (Japanese: 祇園祭, "Gion Festival") is an annual festival that takes place in Kyoto and is said to be one of the most famous, if not the most famous, festival in all of Japan. It spans the entire month of July and is crowned by the beautiful parade, the Yama-boko Junkō (山鉾巡行, Yama-boko Junkō?) on July 17.

Kyoto's downtown area is closed for pedestrian traffic only on the three nights leading up to the massive parade. These nights are known as Yoiyama (宵山) on July 16th, Yoiyoiyama (宵々山) on July 15th, and Yoiyoiyoiyama (宵々々山) on July 14th. The streets are lined with night stalls selling food such as BBQ chicken skewers, traditional Japanese sweets, taiyaki, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and many other culinary delights. Many Kyoto girls dressed in summer kimono walk around the area, carrying with them traditional purses and paper fans.

During the Yoiyama eves leading up to the para

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Kyoto
• Japan
• Gion
• Festival