Gion Matsuri festival lights up Kyoto

Gion Matsuri 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 Junko on July 17th.

For 3 consecutive nights before the massive parade, known as Yoiyama, on July 16th, Yoiyoiyama, on July 15th, and Yoiyoiyoiyama, on July 14th, Kyoto downtown is closed for pedestrian traffic only. 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. Beautiful Kyoto girls dress in summer kimono walk around the area, carrying with them traditional purses and paper fans.

During the Yoiyama eves leading up to the parade, some private houses in the old kimono-merchants district, open the genkan, or entryway, to the public, exhibiting some valuable family heirlooms, a customary event known as the Byobu Matsuri or the 'Folding Screen Festival.' This is a precious opportunity to visit and observe traditional Japanese residences of Kyoto.