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Gion Matsuri Guide (July 2024): Access and Tips on Enjoying One of Japan’s Three Great Festivals

Gion Matsuri Guide (July 2024): Access and Tips on Enjoying One of Japan’s Three Great Festivals

Last updated: 19 June 2023

Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri is a festival filled with traditional flair that’s sure to please any visitor to Japan. Starting on July 1 every year, the festival runs for a full month. The rhythmic sound of the Kane bells being played by the Hayashi performers is one of the many memorable scenes that you can experience at Gion Matsuri.

The festival's highlights include two main events: the "Saki-matsuri" on July 17th and the "Ato-matsuri" on July 24th, both featuring the spectacular Yamaboko-junkō parade. These processions, accompanied by a joyous ambiance, captivate crowds as they wind through the streets of Kyoto.

However, the festivities of Gion Matsuri extend far beyond these main events. Throughout the entire month, visitors can partake in the pre-festivals known as "Yoi-yama," which further infuse the city with an electrifying festival spirit. Kyoto becomes an enchanting hub of celebration, enticing locals and tourists alike.

Table of Contents
  1. What is the Gion Matsuri?
  2. Getting to Gion Matsuri: Transportation Options
  3. 2024 Gion Matsuri main event schedule
  4. Top 8 things to see at the Gion Matsuri
  5. How are the crowds at Gion Matsuri and how to dress?
  6. Book an unforgettable experience in Kyoto!

What is the Gion Matsuri?

The Gion Matsuri, one of the Three Great Festivals of Japan, is one of the festivals held at the famous Yasaka Shrine. During the Heian period, there was a plague sweeping across Japan, which was originally thought to be a curse. The festival was then held to placate the evil spirits responsible for it.

With a proud 1,150-year history, the festival is known far and wide for its long history, extravagance, and for being held for a full month. As a festival that has walked through thick and thin with the city of Kyoto throughout much of its existence, it holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Kyoto.

Getting to Gion Matsuri: Transportation Options

Easily accessible from Hankyu Karasuma Station and Kyoto City Subway Karasuma-Oike Station, reaching Gion Matsuri is convenient and hassle-free.

2024 Gion Matsuri main event schedule

The schedule for the 2024 Gion Matsuri is as follows. Please note that there may be changes, so it's recommended to check the official website before visiting.

Note that paid viewing seats will be available only for the Pre-Festival (Saki-matsuri) Parade on July 17th and the Post-Festival (Ato-matsuri) Parade on July 24th. Information will be released in late May, and sales are expected to start in early June. For more details, please refer to the official website.

・Event Dates: July 1-31, 2024
・Yamaboko-junkō Parade: Pre-Festival - July 17th / Post-Festival - July 24th
・Venue: Yasaka Shrine

Festival Timings
  • July 1st to 18th: Kippu-iri procession
  • July 2nd: Kuji-tori-shiki ceremony
  • July 10th: Lantern reception and Mikoshi purification ceremony
  • July 10th to 14th: Saki-matsuri – Building of the Yamaboko floats
  • July 12th and 13th: Saki-matsuri – Yamaboko Hikihajime parade
  • July 14th to 16th: Saki-matsuri – Yoi-yama and Byobu Matsuri
  • July 17th: Saki-matsuri – Yamaboko-junkō parade and Shinkōsai
  • July 18th to 21st: Ato-matsuri – Building of the Yamaboko floats
  • July 20th and 21st: Ato-matsuri – Yamaboko Hikihajime parade
  • July 21st to 23rd: Ato-matsuri – Yoi-yama and Byobu Matsuri
  • July 24th: Ato-matsuri – Yamaboko-junkō parade, Hanagasa-junkō parade, and Kankōsai
  • July 28th: Mikoshi-arai-shiki (mikoshi purification ceremony)
  • July 31st: Ekijinja-nagoshisai Festival

Top 8 things to see at the Gion Matsuri

Top 8 things to see at the Gion Matsuri

1. Prayers for a smooth festival

The “Kippu-iri” on July 1 marks the start of the Gion Matsuri. Various stakeholders in the Yamaboko district gather and pray for the smooth running of the festival, and meetings regarding the festival are held as well.

2. The Kuji-hiki, a ballot that determines the float order during the Yamaboko-junkō parade

To decide the parade order during the Yamaboko-junkō parade, representatives from the Yamaboko area gather. Together with the mayor of Kyoto City, the “Kuji-tori-shiki” ceremony is held, to determine the order during the Saki-matsuri and Ato-matsuri. Besides the nine floats with a pre-determined order that do not require them to take part in the ceremony, such as the Naginatahoko float, the other 24 places are decided by drawing lots.

3. See the “moving museums” of beautifully and ornately decorated Yamaboko floats

3. See the “moving museums” of beautifully and ornately decorated Yamaboko floats

Of the 33 main Yamaboko floats, 29 are designated Important Tangible Cultural Properties, being decorated with beautiful carpets and tapestries. There are Yamaboko floats that make use of decorations incorporating imported Gobelin weaves and Nishijin weaves, and seeing the beautiful artworks unfold one by one before your eyes as the parade progresses also earned the Yamaboko the name, “moving museums.”

4. Get your hands on the famous chimaki amulets and other goods

One of the famous items of the Gion Matsuri is the Chimaki. It’s not a type of food, but an amulet for warding off bad luck and disease that’s made of bamboo grass, and each Yamaboko has its own Chimaki with unique designs and purposes. In Kyoto, there are many families who place this amulet at their doorways to ward off bad luck too. Besides this, there are many goods and items showcasing the unique aspect of each Yamaboko on sale too, so do drop by the district office to take a look.

5. You can ride the Yamaboko floats before the parade!

By purchasing either the Yamaboko float’s chimaki amulets or a riding ticket, you can ride the Yamaboko float. From the construction of the ceiling to the head of the float, you can see the details of each and every decoration used, so do be sure to make good use of the opportunity. The boarding procedure is smoother during the day than at night, so be sure to make good use of the opportunity.

6. The largest event before the Yoi-yama, the Yamaboko Hikihajime

The floats built for the Yamaboko-junkō parade, known as Hoko or Hikiyama, are tested for their movement and parade-worthiness during the Yamaboko Hikihajime, held on July 12 and 13 for the Saki-matsuri, and July 20 and 21 for the Ato-matsuri. Besides the Yamaboko-junkō parade, the Yamaboko Hikihajime is the only other time to see the floats in action. The floats also move at around walking speed, allowing you to feel the immense size of the floats up close, making for quite an unforgettable experience.

7. Enjoy the height of the festival at the “Yoi-yama”!

The Yoi-yama is held three days, two days, and the day before the Yamaboko-junkō parade, in Shijo-dōri where the Yamaboko floats stand towering over the small exhibits and shops lining the road.

The Yoi-yama for the Saki-matsuri, held on July 15 and 16, is a heaven for street pedestrians, with the “kon-chinki” sounds from the Gion Hayashi musicians filling the skies, and the sight of lit Komagata lanterns make for a wonderful festival atmosphere!

The Yoi-yama during the Ato-matsuri from July 21 to July 23 has a much calmer atmosphere in contrast, allowing you to relax in the serene mood.

8. Be sure not to miss the festival's highlight - the Yamaboko-junkō parade!

8. Be sure not to miss the festival's highlight - the Yamaboko-junkō parade!

With 23 floats during the Saki-matsuri on July 17, and 10 floats during the Ato-matsuri on July 24, the Yamaboko floats parading the streets of Kyoto are a real sight to behold! The Kyoto Gion Matsuri Float Ceremony is a designated UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In particular, turnings at the “Tsuiji-mawashi” points during the procession, where the floats change direction, are met with much applause and cheers from onlookers.

During the Yamaboko-junkō parade, Koike-dōri Street is converted into fee-paying, designated seating for the parade. Between the Saki-matsuri and the Ato-matsuri, there are a total of 33 Yamaboko floats to be seen, and you can observe the procession in beautifully decorated stands with fee-paying seats.

The fee-paying seats during the Ato-matsuri allow you to see not just the Yamaboko-junkō parade, but the inspection of the floats, called the Kuji Aratame, from up close too. Tickets are sold in convenience stores nationwide, as well as travel agents, and on the internet (https://kyoto.travel/en/). Details regarding the sales start date, seat types, and prices for 2024 will be announced in late May, with sales expected to begin in early June.

How are the crowds at Gion Matsuri and how to dress?

StreetVJ / Shutterstock.com
StreetVJ / Shutterstock.com

Expect crowds of 400-500,000 on the streets during the Yoiyama, along with high temperatures. As it can get quite crowded as well, it’s recommended to dress lightly and wear comfortable shoes. On top of that, the summers in Kyoto are sweltering as well, so don’t forget to bring a bottle of water with you.


The beautifully magnificent Gion Matsuri has its roots stretching all the way back to the Heian period. With people from all throughout Japan visiting for the Yoi-yama and Yamaboko-junkō parade, the main draw of this festival is in the refreshing and colorful spiritual ceremonies and rituals held for the gods, so be sure to experience this for yourself!

Text by: Efeel

*This article was originally published in May 2020 and updated in May 2023.

  • Gion Festival
    • Address Yasaka Shrine and others, Kyoto Prefecture Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, 605-0000
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Kyoto Station (JR Tokaido Line / JR Biwako Line / JR Tokaido Shinkansen / JR Kyoto Line / JR Sagano Line / JR San-in Line / JR Nara Line / Karasuma Line / Kintetsu-kyoto Line)
      20 minutes by bus
    • Phone Number 075-561-6155

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*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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