When is the Gion Festival? Explaining the main period and history! [2024]

Gion Festival What is Kyoto ・ Yasaka Shrine Every year A month-long festival held from July 1st to July 31st is.

Japan's three major festivals Known as one of the festivals, many tourists visit during the Gion Festival.

Event information for 2024 (Reiwa 6) Gion Festival Dates and Schedule Since it is divided into details, I will explain it below!

What is the Gion Festival? What kind of festival is it?

The Gion Festival is so famous that many people may have heard of it at least once.
However, many people may not know about its history and origins.

Below, Explanation of the Gion Festival so that even beginners can understand To do!
Easy to understand explanation Please rest assured that we will!

What is the Gion Festival?

The Gion Festival is a festival of Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto. . Various festivals are held throughout the month. .

The origin of the Gion Festival "Goryo-e" held in 869 (Jogan 11) in the early Heian period is. What is Goryokai? Ritual to appease the soul of the deceased and ward off evil About.

Around that time Kyoto There was an epidemic, and many people died as disasters occurred in quick succession. Therefore, A halberd that was thought to have the power to absorb bad things. (Hoko) will be used to hold a goryokai.
At that time, 66 floats, the number of nations in Heian-kyo, were set up in Shinsen-en (the Emperor's garden), and a portable shrine (mikoshi) was sent from Gion Shrine (Yasaka Shrine) to Shinsen-en, the Emperor's garden, and a Goryokai was held. I went to the birthplace of the Gion Festival It has been with.

As time progresses, In order to purify the city of bad things, parishioners (local residents) carried a float and began to patrol the city. Prototype of Yamaboko Junko It is said.

The Gion Festival has expanded in scale since the middle of the Heian period. In the Muromachi period, Yamaboko became huge and gorgeous, Tokyo "Kanda Festival" of Osaka Along with the "Tenjin Festival" Japan's three major festivals became known as one of the

Gifu "Takayama Festival", Saitama Along with the "Chichibu Night Festival" One of Japan's three major Hikiyama festivals, featuring dashi floats Also known as

Gion Festival When is the main event?

The main event of the Gion Festival is the Yamahoko Junko is. The purpose of the Yamaboko Junko is to purify the path that the Mikoshi will travel on in advance. . " dew ” has the meaning.

Yamahoko Junko Pre-festival (Sakimatsuri) )and, Atomatsuri (Atomatsuri) will be carried out twice.

Maematsuri is the act of leading the deity to an otabisho such as a mikoshi (portable shrine). .
At the yamaboko parade of the previous festival, " moving museum ” The highlight is the gorgeous 23 floats that are said to parade through the streets of Kyoto. . A chigo (a boy considered to be a messenger of the gods) riding a ``Naginatahoko'' cuts off the shimenawa ropes stretched in Shijo Fuyacho with a sword. Shimenawa-kiri ” is also not to be missed.
For large ones, a yamaboko weighing over 12 tons is vigorously changed in direction. Tsujimawashi ” is also impressive.

Atomatsuri is something that is performed for the gods to return home. The parade route will be the opposite of the previous festival. .
From 1966 (Showa 41) to 2013 (Heisei 25), the Sakimatsuri and Atomatsuri were held jointly.
However, in order to pass on the original Gion Matsuri to future generations, the Atomatsuri was revived in 2014 (Heisei 26) for the first time in 49 years.

Gion Festival Schedule/Schedule

Below, Gion Festival Schedule/Schedule Introducing. A simple and easy-to-understand explanation of each Shinto ritual of the Gion Festival To do.

Lucky sign: Ticket

At the beginning of the Shinto ritual, the people involved in each Yamaboko town have a meeting about the Gion Festival and pray for the safety of the festival.

schedule	July 1st to July 5th
place	Each Yamahoko town *Viewing is not permitted

Naginata Hokomachi Osendo: Naginata Boko Chosendo

Everyone in the town of Naginata-boko-cho visits Yasaka Shrine together with the children riding the naginata-boko and Kamuro, who plays the role of assistant, to pray for the safety of the Shinto ritual.

schedule	July 1
time	10 o'clock~
place	Yasaka Shrine *Tours not possible

Lottery type: lottery

Representatives from each Yamaboko Town gather to draw lots on the 17th (Sakimatsuri) and 24th (Atomatsuri) to determine the order of the Yamaboko Junko.

schedule	July 2nd
place	Kyoto City Hall *Visit not possible (lottery after advance application)

Performance of the Naginata Hoko Children's Dance: Naginata Hokochi Gomaihiro (Dance of Peace)

At 3:15 p.m., the Naginata Hoko Chigo Mai (Taihei no Mai) will be performed. Young children hold drumsticks in both hands and beat the drums as they dance gracefully.

schedule	July 5th
time	Naginatahoko child dance performance 15:15~
place	Naginata Hoko Preservation Society

Ayagasa hoko child shrine visitor: Ayagasahokochigosha

Children of Ayagasa-hoko pray for the safety of the Shinto ritual together with town officials and visit Yasaka Shrine.

schedule	July 7
time	14:30
place	Yasaka Shrine

Sakimatsuri Yamahokotate

Hoko and Hikiyama (decorated floats) are assembled.

schedule	July 10-14
place	Each hoko town

Welcome lanterns: welcome lanterns

Volunteers of Manto members put up lanterns to welcome the Mikoshi of "Mikoshiarai" and parade around Yasaka Shrine.

schedule	July 10
time	16:30-20:30
place	Yasaka Shrine → Kawaramachi Shijo → City Hall → Teramachi Street → Higashioji Street → Shinkomichi → Yasaka Shrine

Mikoshi Washing: Mikoshirai

A ceremony is held to exorcise and purify the mikoshi and prepare to enshrine the god of Yasaka Shrine. Around 20:30, they return to Yasaka Shrine and decorate the three portable shrines in preparation for the portable shrine procession on the 17th.

schedule	July 10
time	From around 18:00 to around 20:30
place	Yasaka Shrine - Shijo Bridge - Yasaka Shrine

Sakimatsuri hoko hikizome [Sakimatsuri]

Six floats are pulled: lottery float No. 1, naginata float, lottery float 5, Hakoya float, moon float, chicken float, Kikusui float, and lottery float 21, hoshihoko.

schedule	July 12th - July 13th
place	Each hoko town

Chigosha San: Mr. Chigosha

Naginata Hoko Chigo will be given a rank at Yasaka Shrine on horseback. Children cannot step on the ground until the parade on the 17th.
A male gouriki carries a child on a horse, rides in front of the naginata hoko during the procession, and dances the Taihei dance.

schedule	July 13th
time	11:00~
place	Yasaka Shrine

Kuze Komagata Chigo Shrine Visitor: Kuzekomagatachigoshasan

Kuze Chigo (Komagata Chigo), who attend the Shinkosai and Kankosai, will visit the shrine.

schedule	July 13th
time	14:00~
place	Yasaka Shrine

Pre-festival folding screen festival: Sakimatsuri Byobu Festival

The latticework of the townhouse is removed, and the heirloom folding screens and tools are displayed so that they can be seen from the street.

schedule	July 14th - July 16th
time	Around 11:00, around 18:00 (depending on the organizer)
place	Machiya Townhouses of Volunteers in Yamaboko Town (Entire area of ​​Nakagyo Ward)

Pre-festival Yoiyama: Sakimatsuri Yoiyoiyama [Yoiyoiyama: Yoi Yoiyama]

The Komagata lanterns hanging from 23 floats are lit, and the festival becomes lively with the Gion music. Stalls are lined up and many people visit every year.

schedule	July 14th - July 16th
time	Pedestrian heaven will be open from 18:00 to 23:00 on the 15th and 16th (planned)
place	Between Yasaka Shrine and Horikawa on Shijo-dori, within each town (the area of ​​Nakagyo Ward)

Traditional Performing Arts Dedication: Dentougei no Honou

Various traditional performing arts such as Imayo, Shigin, Japanese dance, Sokyoku, Kenbu, and Biwa will be performed on the Noh stage next to the Maiden.

schedule	July 15th
time	From 15:00
place	Yasaka Shrine

Ikebana Exhibition: Ikebana Ten

Ikebana will be displayed in the shop windows facing Shijo Street (from the stone steps of Yasaka Shrine to Shijo Karasuma).

schedule	July 15th to July 17th
place	Shijo Street/Gion Ishidanshita - Shijo Karasuma Volunteer Shop Association

Kenchasai: Kenchasai

Tea made with well water in the precincts of Yasaka Shrine is offered to the altar.

schedule	July 16th
time	9:00~
place	Yasaka Shrine

Dedication of Iwami Kagura: Iwami Kagura no Honou

Yasaka Shrine's enshrined deity, Susanowo no Mikoto, will dedicate Iwami Kagura such as "Orochi" to exterminate Yamata no Orochi.

schedule	July 16th
time	18:30～
place	Yasaka Shrine

Sakimatsuri Hiyori Kagura (Sakimatsuri Hiyori Kagura)

The town of Yamaboko, where the musicians are located, heads to Shijo Otabisho while playing the Gion music, and dedicates the music to pray for fine weather.

schedule	July 16th
time	Around 9 p.m.
place	Each Yamaboko Town - Shijo Otabisho - Each Yamaboko Town

Sakimatsuri Yamahoko Junko

The main event of the Gion Festival. The spectacle of the floats, which are as tall as five to eight-story buildings, parading through the streets is truly a sight to behold.

schedule	July 17th
time	9:00~
place	Within each town (Entire area of ​​Nakagyo Ward)
cruise route	Shijo Karasuma - Shijo Kawaramachi - City Hall - Karasuma Oike - Shinmachi Oike

Shinko Festival Mikoshi Passing: Shinkosai Mikoshi and Gyo

After being purified by the Yamahoko Junko, the Nakagoza Mikoshi, Higashigoza Mikoshi, and Nishigoza Mikoshi travel from Yasaka Shrine to the parishioners area on separate routes, and then to the Otabisho. going now.

schedule	July 17th
time	From 18:00
place	Yasaka Shrine → Under the stone steps → Shijo Otabisho

Atomatsuri Yamahokotate: Atomatsuri Yamahokotate

We will assemble the 11 floats for the Atomatsuri.

schedule	July 18th to July 21st
place	Atomatsuri Yamaboko Town

Atomatsuri Hoko Hikizome: Atomatsuri Hoko Hikizome

Three of the 11 hoko floats with musical accompaniment stages (lottery number 2: Kita Kannonyama, lottery number 6: Minami Kannonyama, lottery number: Ofuna-hoko going to the end of the festival) are performed. will be split.

schedule	July 20th
time	15:00~
place	Atomatsuri Yamaboko Town

Atomatsuri Yoiyama: Atomatsuri Yoiyama

In the evening, 11 yamahoko floats are lit with Komagata lanterns, and Gion music is played on yamahoko floats with musicians such as Kita-Kannonyama, Minami-Kannonyama, and Ofuna-hoko.

schedule	July 21st to July 23rd
place	Atomatsuri Hokomachi

Sencha Kenchasai: Senchakenchasai

Six schools of Kyoto Sencha-do (Ogawa school, Tamagawa Enshu school, Kofu Sencha Reishiki, Ruifouan school, Taizan school, Baicha Honryu) make sencha and offer it to the altar.

schedule	July 23rd
time	9:00~
place	Yasaka Shrine

Dedicating the Biwa: Biwa no Honou

The Kyoto Biwa Association (Satsuma-ryu, Chikuzen-ryu, Kinshin-ryu, etc.) will present the biwa on the Noh stage.

schedule	July 23rd
time	From 13:00
place	Yasaka Shrine

Atomatsuri Yamahoko Junko: Atomatsuri Festival Yamahoko Junko

Depart from Karasuma Oike on the opposite route from the previous festival. The lottery is held in front of the city hall. Eleven floats depart in the order determined by lottery, heading west along Oike-dori, Kawaramachi-dori, and Shijo-dori.

schedule	July 24th
time	9:30-
place	Karasuma Oike → Kawaramachi Oike → Shijo Kawaramachi → Shijo Karasuma

Flower Umbrella Parade: Hanagasa Junko

A procession centered on flower umbrellas goes from Yasaka Shrine to the city hall, passes through Shijo Otabisho, etc., and then returns to Yasaka Shrine.

schedule	July 24th
time	10:00 to 12:00
place	Shimogyo Junior High School Seitoku Campus (9:30) → Takatsuji Street East → Karasuma Street North → Shijo Street East → Otabisho (lottery change) → Shijo Street East → South of the stone steps → Shinkodo East → Yasaka Shrine (11:00)

Kankosai: Kankosai

It is a Shinto ritual to return the three portable shrines carried to Shijo Otabisho to the shrine and the enshrined deity to Yasaka Shrine. It is also called "okaeri".

schedule	July 24th
time	Around 17:00~
place	Shijo Otabisho ~ Yasaka Shrine

Kyogen Dedication: Kyogen Hono

Shigeyama Kyogen will be performed by Chuzaburo Shigeyama, a Kyogen Okura school, on the Noh stage within the grounds of Yasaka Shrine.

schedule	July 25th
time	11 o'clock~
place	Yasaka Shrine

Mikoshi Washing: Mikoshirai

Purify Shijo Ohashi with torches from Yasaka Shrine. Carry the Nakagoza Mikoshi from Yasaka Shrine to Shijo Ohashi Bridge, purify it with divine water, and return to Yasaka Shrine to store it in the Mikoshi Warehouse.

schedule	July 28th
time	From around 18:00 to around 20:00
place	Yasaka Shrine - Shijo Bridge - Yasaka Shrine

Shinjisai Hokokusai: Shinjisumihokokusai

A Shinto ritual to announce the end of the Gion Festival and to thank the gods for their kindness.

schedule	July 29th
time	16:00~
place	Yasaka Shrine

Ekijinja Nagoshi Festival: Ekijinja Nagoshisai

The last event to conclude the Gion Festival. At Yasaka Shrine's precincts' sub-shrine "Kokujinja", pass through the chinowa attached to the torii gate and receive the amulet.

schedule	July 31st
time	10 o'clock~
place	Yasaka Shrine

Enjoy the Gion Festival

Gion Festival teeth Kyoto A major event that colors the summer .

It has been going on since the early Heian period. That's amazing, isn't it? You will be amazed by the depth and scale of its history, which dates back to the early Heian period, and the enthusiasm of its people. .
Many people think, "I want to see it once in my life."

At the Gion Festival, Various festivals and religious ceremonies are held So why not use this article as a reference and give it a try?

*The content of this article is current as of May 2024.

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