Check out these articles
-
Video article 1:11
Fuku Otoko 2023 – Who Will Be This Year's Lucky Man?! Nishinomiya Shrine's Annual High-Profile Gate Opening Ritual Is Back After a 3-Year Hiatus!
NewsTraditional CultureFestivals & Events- 24 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:54
The "Ako Lion Dance": A Dynamic, Traditional Japanese Lion Dance of Ako, Hyogo That Has Long Been Enjoyed in Japan; Watch the Lively Lion Dance Parade From the Roadside in This Video!
Festivals & EventsHistory- 534 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:45
The Spooky "Kumano Hongu Taisha Reitaisai Festival" of Tanabe, Wakayama. Enjoy the Ancient Japanese Festival Handed Down From Generation to Generation, With More Than 2,000 Years of History!
Festivals & EventsTraditional CultureHistory- 69 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:29
The Aoi Festival - Enjoy the Sacred Ceremony Known as One of the Three Major Festivals of Kyoto! An Elegant, Yet Mysterious Atmosphere, as If You've Been Transported Back in Time, Spreads Throughout Kyoto in the Spring!
Festivals & EventsHistory- 126 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:49
Awa Odori - A Traditional Japanese Dance With 400 Years of History! Check Out the Popular Summer Festival With Powerful Male Dancers and Elegant Female Dancers!
Festivals & EventsTraditional CultureTravelAction & Adventure- 24 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 13:39
The Awa Odori Dance Festival - One of Japan's Most Popular and Lively Festivals! The More Than 400 Year Old Festival Boasts a Whopping 1 Million Visitors and More Than 100,000 Dancers!
Festivals & EventsTraditional Culture- 220 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:00
The “Obama Montsuki Festival” in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture: A Festival of Bravery, Where You Can Feel the Power of the Local Residents! Check Out the Attraction of This Traditional Japanese Festival, Along With Its History, and Highlights!
Festivals & EventsLocal PRTravel- 179 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 7:58
Fushimi Inari Shrine's Hongu Festival in Full Swing! Enjoy the Hot Summer of Kyoto With the Powerful Sounds of Taiko Drums in Kyoto's Fushimi Ward!
Festivals & Events- 38 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 6:11
The Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival Is One of the Five Major Festivals in Tagawa, Fukuoka, With 2 Portable Shrines and 11 Colorful Nobori Yamakasa Floats Crossing the River!
Festivals & EventsTravelHistory- 159 plays
- Vimeo
Kyoto's Gion Matsuri Is One of the Top Three Festivals in Japan! Make the Most Of Your Summer in Japan by Watching "Omukae Chochin," a Graceful Parade Brimming With History and Culture!
The Gion Festival's "Omukae Chochin"?
This video, titled "Gion Matsuri Omukae Chochin Performance," was uploaded by Kyoto Fan.
It introduces "Omukae Chochin," one of the events that takes place during Kyoto's Gion Matsuri (Gion Festival).
Gion Matsuri is held each year at Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社, yasakajinja) in Kyoto and is one of the largest festivals in Japan.
Omukae Chochin, which takes place on July 10th, is a lantern parade held to welcome the Gion Matsuri mikoshi (portable shrines).
We hope you enjoy watching this exciting event which attracts a large number of tourists each year!
Check Out Omukae Chochin!
Gion Matsuri is a festival that takes place at Yasaka Shrine (sometimes referred to as "Gionsha" (祇園社)) in Kyoto.
Gion Matsuri is held throughout the month of July, however, Omukae Chochin, the event introduced in the video, is always held on July 10th.
After Omukae Chochin and Mikoshi Togyo (神輿渡御) are held on July 10th, a large number of festival floats called "Yamaboko" (山鉾) are built for future parades.
During the festival month, the Yamaboko float areas are filled with musicians dressed in kimono and yukata playing flutes and taiko drums to a performance called "Gionbayashi" (祇園囃子).
This can be seen from 0:27 in the video.
Popular Events Held After Omukae Chochin
During "Yoiyama" (宵山), held on July 15th and 16th, the streets are closed off to vehicles and instead filled with a large number of food stands called "yatai" (屋台).
This is a great spot to take photos of the delicious local food!
Gion Matsuri's main event, Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行, Yamaboko Parade), takes place on July 17th and 24th.
There are many other events you can enjoy during Gion Matsuri, such as "Yoiyama" which features lively musical performances, and "Hanagasa Junko," which is performed by children.
If you'd like to watch the spectacular Yamaboko Junko parade up close, we highly recommend booking seats in advance.
Enjoy Summer Sightseeing In Kyoto!
Even after Gion Matsuri has come to an end, there are still many more events to be enjoyed in Kyoto!
Gozan no Okuribi (五山の送り火), a festival held during the Bon Festival (お盆, obon), attracts many tourists each year.
If you're traveling to Kyoto during summer, we highly recommend dining along the riverside, a tradition called "Kamo River Noryo-Yuka" (鴨川納涼床, Kamogawa Nouryoyuka).
There are also many other cultural properties you can enjoy in Kyoto city.
Unfortunately there are no fireworks displays held in the city, but if you would like to see the summer fireworks, the nearest spots are the Uji River (宇治川, ujikawa) and Kameoka (亀岡).
Summary of Kyoto's Gion Matsuri
As you can see from the video, Gion Matsuri is an elegant yet powerful festival which is widely popular year after year.
The festival is held throughout the entire month of July (from July 1st all the way through July 31st).
If you'd like to see one of the largest festivals in Japan, we highly recommend visiting Kyoto during summer!
【Official Website】Gion Matsuri Overview – Yasaka Shrine
http://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/en/
【Tripadvisor】Gion Matsuri
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298564-d8820238-Reviews-Gion_Matsuri-Kyoto_Kyoto_Prefecture_Kinki.html
AccessMap (Google Maps)
-
Video article 2:54
Exorcising Demons at the Setsubun Festival of Yoshida Shrine in Kyoto, Japan via Video! Learn About the Shrine Grounds and the Lucky Drawings With Awesome Prizes!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Travel- 55 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:01
Taga Taisha Shrine's Setsubun Festival – Purging the Year of Bad Luck With 'Mamemaki' Before Spring! Experience the Powerful Oniyarai Ritual!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Travel- 19 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:54
The "Ako Lion Dance": A Dynamic, Traditional Japanese Lion Dance of Ako, Hyogo That Has Long Been Enjoyed in Japan; Watch the Lively Lion Dance Parade From the Roadside in This Video!
Festivals & Events History- 534 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 15:20
The Most Dangerous Festival in Japan? Osaka's Danjiri Festival Is Full of Unexpected Events and Accidents! Toppling Over Sideways, Crashing, Falling Over... It's a Thrilling Event You Won’t Want to Miss!
Festivals & Events- 5.64K plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:12
Prepare to Get Muddy! Miyakojima, Okinawa's "Paantu" Is a Bizarre Festival That Will Have You and Your Underwear Covered in Mud as You Try to Outrun the Gods!
Festivals & Events- 473 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:08
Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2023! What to See and Do at the Spectacular Event! The Fantastic Scenery Created by Breathtaking Lanterns Will Make Your Heart Dance!
Festivals & Events Travel Action & Adventure- 35 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:19
Kyoto's Gion Matsuri Is One of the Top Three Festivals in Japan! Make the Most Of Your Summer in Japan by Watching "Omukae Chochin," a Graceful Parade Brimming With History and Culture!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Travel- 113 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 8:58
Kasuisai Hinamatsuri 2023 – Highlights of the Doll Festival Associated With Tokugawa Ieyasu! 1,200 Hina Dolls Decorated With an Important Message...
Festivals & Events News Travel- 19 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 17:15
Karakuri Hono, One of Japan's Traditional Performing Arts, Can Be Enjoyed at the Takayama Festival in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture!
Festivals & Events- 32 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:12
The Sapporo Snow Festival Popular Among Overseas Tourists! The Pure White Snow of Nature and Colorful Projection Mapping in the City of Sapporo, Hokkaido, in a Brilliant Competition!
Festivals & Events- 114 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:33
Kobe Illuminage – Experience the Dazzling Lights via Video! Beautiful Photo Spots & More at This Delightful Illumination. Be Sure to Bring Your Special Someone!
Festivals & Events Travel- 49 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:00
Okera Mairi – A Traditional Japanese New Year's Event at Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine! Discover Winter in Kyoto via Video!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Travel- 41 plays
- YouTube
1 Comment