| Gion festival | Times Square Reporter

Hachiman Yama — Warrior Protector Float in Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri

Hachiman Yama honors Hachiman, the Shinto god of war and divine protector. The float features the god’s iconic symbols, elegant shrine motifs, and rich historic...

Gion Festival Book – Kyoto’s Rich Traditions in Print

This Gion book captures the spirit of Kyoto’s famed festival through words and images, charting centuries of ritual, float art, and local history—an essential r...

Tsuki Boko – The Moon Float (月鉾) in Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri

Tsuki Boko honors the moon god Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto in Kyoto’s Gion Festival. Adorned with rabbit motifs, aquatic designs, and historic treasures, it’s among the...

Ato Matsuri – Kyoto’s Second Grand Parade of Gion Floats

Ato Matsuri in Kyoto brings the second spectacular procession of yamaboko floats, following Saki Matsuri. The floats carry deep cultural stories, traditional ar...

Kita Kannon Yama – The Compassionate Bodhisattva Float of Kyoto’s Gion Fest...

Kita Kannon Yama honors Kannon, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion (Avalokiteśvara) revered as a merciful goddess in Japanese Buddhism. This float blends de...

Gion Festival Art — Kyoto’s Treasured Yamaboko Collections

On display in Kyoto’s Gion Festival are centuries-old artworks: painted screens, textiles, lacquerware and carvings from around the world, preserved on the yama...

Gion Festival Expert – Deep Insights into Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri

Behind every float and ritual in Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri lies centuries of tradition. On this page, Catherine Pawasarat shares her expertise—drawing on interviews,...

Iwato Yama – The Stone Door Float Honoring Amaterasu in Kyoto’s Gion Matsur...

Iwato Yama dramatizes the myth where Amaterasu, the sun goddess, hid behind a stone door, plunging the world into darkness. With statues of Amaterasu, Susanoo,...

Suzuka Yama – Demon-Pacifying Goddess Float of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri

Suzuka Yama honors Suzuka Myōjin, the fierce goddess who protects travelers by defeating demons. The float features dramatic noh masks, a halberd (naginata), an...

Saki Matsuri – Kyoto’s Grand Parade of Gion Matsuri Floats

Saki Matsuri marks the first grand procession of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, where 23 ornate yamaboko floats glide through the streets with music, tradition, and cent...

Suzuka Yama – The Demon-Pacifying Goddess Float of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri

Suzuka Yama, also known as the Demon-Pacifying Goddess Float, represents Suzuka Myōjin who tames demons with her divine presence. Featuring dramatic masks, bold...

Yamaboko Floats – The Parade Masters of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri

Yamaboko are the grand floats of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, split into elegant yama and towering hoko, pulled through the city streets in July. Adorned with tapestri...

Gion Matsuri – Kyoto’s Grand Festival & Japan’s Pride

Gion Matsuri in Kyoto stands among Japan’s most celebrated festivals—rich in history, tradition, and artistry. Join the month-long celebrations of floats, ritua...

Kita Kannon Yama – The Northern Kannon Float of Compassion in Kyoto

Kita Kannon Yama enshrines Kannon, the Buddhist bodhisattva of mercy (Japanese version of Avalokiteśvara). This float is unique: its statue even shows light fac...

Gion Festival Art Collection – Centuries of Japanese & Global Masterpie...

The Gion Festival’s art collection brings together over 400 years of craftsmanship—from embroidered textiles and lacquerware to carvings and statuary—found on t...