| Gion festival | Times Square Reporter

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...

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...