| Gion festival | Times Square Reporter

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...

Taka Yama – The Falconry Float of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri

Taka Yama, the 10th float in Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri's Ato Matsuri procession, showcases a rich history dating back to the 15th century.

Kankō Boko – The Hangu Pass Float of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri

Kankō Boko, the second float in Kyoto's Gion Matsuri procession, draws its name from the Hangu Pass in Shanxi Province, China. This float commemorates a histori...

Tsuki Boko – The Moon Float of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri

Tsuki Boko, known as the Moon Float, is one of the highlights of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri. Dedicated to Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto, the Japanese god of the moon, this gran...

Kita Kannon Yama – Compassionate Bodhisattva Float in Kyoto’s Gion Festival

Discover Kita Kannon Yama, the Northern Kannon float in Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, dedicated to Kannon — the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion (Avalokiteśvara). Lea...

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

Delve into the rich history and traditions of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri with insights from Catherine Pawasarat, a leading non-Japanese expert.

Gion Matsuri – Kyoto’s Most Famous Summer Festival

Experience the magic of Gion Matsuri, Kyoto’s iconic summer festival and one of Japan’s most celebrated cultural events.

Gion Festival Art – Kyoto’s Treasures in Yamaboko Float Paintings & Tex...

Discover the Gion Festival Art Collection in Kyoto: delve into historic float paintings, exquisite textiles, carvings, and statuary spanning over 400 years. Exp...

Kita Kannon Yama – The Compassionate Bodhisattva Float at Kyoto Gion Festiv...

Discover Kita Kannon Yama, Kyoto’s Northern Kannon float at the Gion Festival. Honoring Kannon, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion (Avalokiteshvara), this f...

Ashikari-Yama Float – Kyoto Gion Festival’s Sacred Yama with Buddha Statue

Discover the Ashikari-Yama float at Kyoto’s Gion Festival, a historic yama featuring a revered Buddha statue. Learn its cultural meaning, artistry, and role in...

Gion Festival Expert Insights – Your Guide to Gion Matsuri in Kyoto

Delve into the heart of Gion Matsuri, Kyoto’s most iconic festival, with expert insights into its history, floats, rituals, and cultural richness. Learn from a...

Gion Matsuri History – Origins & Evolution of Kyoto’s Grand Festival

Tracing its roots back to 869 CE, the Gion Festival (or Gion Matsuri) in Kyoto began as a ritual to appease angry spirits during a major plague outbreak. Over c...

Kita Kannon Yama – Honoring Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy in Japanese Buddhi...

The Kita Kannon Yama float in Kyoto’s Gion Festival pays tribute to Kannon, the revered Goddess of Mercy in Japanese Buddhism, also known as Avalokiteshvara. Th...