Gion Festival Shinko Festival: Countless smartphones capturing the Mikoshi procession This image captures the magnificent sight of the Mikoshi procession filling Shijō Street during the "Shinko Festival" of the Gion Festival, which symbolizes summer in Kyoto. The Tōmi Mikoshi, shining in gold and white, is powerfully carried by bearers in white garments. In a bid to catch a glimpse of this historic moment, the crowd lining the streets raises a multitude of smartphones in unison. This vibrant scene represents the fusion of traditional festival culture and modern societal behavior, encapsulating the spirit of our times. Gioncho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Gion Festival and Kankō-sai: The fervor and procession that fills the night in Kyoto This scene captures the grand procession that fills Shijō Street during the finale of the Gion Festival, known as Kankō-sai. As the warm light of lanterns illuminates the streets, a large number of men dressed in white garments march powerfully alongside the big tall lanterns of "Shiwaka" and the portable shrine. The gaze and excitement from the spectators resonate in the vibrant night streets of Kyoto, echoing the overwhelming fervor and vitality unique to this traditional event as they escort the deities back to Yasaka Shrine. Gioncho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Gion Festival and Shinko Festival: The Enthusiasm of Children Connecting to the Future This scene captures the adorable yet reliable figures of children supporting the Gion Festival's "Shinko Festival," which colors the summer of Kyoto. Dressed in matching white hanten jackets and headbands, the children stand in a line, carefully holding onto a single rope. Their serious gazes and smiles amidst the lively atmosphere convey the warmth of this traditional event, as well as the vibrant spirit that connects it to the next generation. Gioncho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Photographed on January 3, 2014. A performance of festival music (ohayashi) at Koedo Kurari.

I watched a hayashi (festival music ensemble) performance at Koedo Kurari.

Photographed on October 19, 2013. The portable shrine figure from the float is displayed. This is the float of Wakitamachi dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Photographed on October 19, Year 25. When the lead rigger strikes the clapper, the float begins to move. This is the float of Wakitamachi, Ieyasu.

Photographed on October 19, 2025. This is Ieyasu’s float passing under the pedestrian overpass in front of Atre Kawagoe.

Photographed on October 18, Heisei 25 (2013). This shows the Kagami-shishi float and the Sanno float passing each other during the hikkwase (float encounter).

Photographed on October 18, 2013. This shows the Kagami-shishi float and the Ōta Dōkan float passing each other.

Photographed on October 18, 25. The parade features the float of Prince of Lanling and the float of Kagami Shishi (Mirror Lion Dance) pulling past each other.

Photographed on October 18, Year 25. This is the pulling-together of Nakamachi’s float “Prince of Lanling” and Wakitamachi’s float “Ieyasu Tokugawa.”

Photographed on October 18, 2013. From the left: Wakitamachi’s float of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Shintomichō 1 Chome’s float of Tokugawa Iemitsu, and Shintomi-cho 2-chome’s float of the Mirror Lion in a hikikae (float exchange).

Photographed on October 18, Year 25. This is the hikikae (float handover) between the Nakaharacho float of Kawagoe Taro Shigetada and the Shintomichō 2-chōme float, Mirror Lion.

Photographed on October 18, 2013. This is the Seibu Hon-Kawagoe PePe and the Kagami-shishi float.

Photographed on October 18, 2013. After the evening festival ends, the floats are being prepared to start moving. There are many photos from the Kawagoe Festival….

Photographed 10/18/25. This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama. From the lion's head, a little bit appeared.

Photographed 10/18/25. This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama. The lion's head is dancing.

Photographed 10/18/25. This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama. The lanterns on the festival float are lit and the song is performed.

Photographed 10/18/25. This is Yoiyama of the Kawagoe Festival. A raccoon was giving sweets to a child.

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of a mirror lion greeting Mr. Yamada of Washi paper.

Photographed 10/18/25. Heading towards Hon-Kawagoe Station, it is a festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome Kagami Lion.

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome, Kagami Lion in front of Maruhiro Department Store.

Photographed 10/18/25. In front of the Maruhiro Department Store, three festival floats were being towed. From left to right: Shintomi Town 2-chome, Kagami festival float, Otemachi Suzume festival float, Shintomi Town 1-chome, Iemitsu festival float.

Photographed 10/18/25. In front of the Maruhiro Department Store, the festival float of Otemachi Suzume and the festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome Kagami Shion are towed.

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of Otemachi Suzume in front of Maruhiro Department Store.

Photographed 10/18/25. Prayer at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is a festival float of Benkei in Shita Town.

Photographed 10/18/25. Benkei's festival float is praying for safety during the Kawagoe Festival and receiving an exorcism.

The annual grand festival of Imamiya Shrine in the western district was held on both Sunday, October 19 and Monday, October 20. On the first day’s procession, this year’s yakudoshi supporters’ group, Imamiya Reiwa Inoko-kai, carried the portable shrine from Wadayama to Imamiya Shrine in the morning, distributing lucky rice cakes and sacred sake along the route for warding off misfortune. In the afternoon, following the Atami Fue-Rei Kai flute ensemble and accompanied by the palace mikoshi, the procession toured the route from Imamiya Shrine through Tenjincho, Wadamachi, Nagisa Elementary Park, and back to Tenjincho before entering the shrine. With officials in attendance, the eve shrine ceremony was conducted at Imamiya Shrine. After the ritual, the shrine’s traditional kagura, a children’s dancer performance, and miko dances were offered, drawing a large crowd. On the second day, the festival’s main shrine ritual took place, followed by a dedication performance by wadaiko drummer Ichitaro and the hocho-shiki knife ceremony led by Takashi Kishimoto, head instructor of the Shijo Shinryu headquarters. On both days, food stalls lined the shrine and its surroundings, and not only adults but also children enjoyed the festival.