Saki Matsuri kicks off Gion Matsuri each mid-July in Kyoto, parading 23 stunning Yamaboko floats—yama and hoko—as towering symbols of artistry and history. Streets glow at night during Yoiyama and the Byōbu Matsuri, where traditional treasures and festival spirit breathe together.
Saki Matsuri: Kyoto’s First Flourish of the Gion Festival in July
Saki Matsuri kicks off Gion Matsuri each mid-July in Kyoto, parading 23 stunning Yamaboko floats—yama and hoko—as towering symbols of artistry and history. Streets glow at night during Yoiyama and the Byōbu Matsuri, where traditional treasures and festival spirit breathe together. Learn more at https://www.gionfestival.org/yamaboko-floats/saki-matsuri/
