Gion Festival Highlights

The first highlight is ‘hoko tate’ (float assembling) which starts on July 10th. It goes on for a couple of days in every corner of Kyoto’s downtown area, and it is definitely worth seeing! The framework of the float is assembled skillfully by only straw ropes. I really love to watch and see how experienced artisans work on it. What especially impresses me is the beautifully arranged knots of ropes.

Although the framework will be covered later with tapestries, artisans won’t cut corners. Creating and arranging the knots of ropes beautifully is what they are proud of. Even though invisible, the covered parts are given as much attention as the visible parts… That’s the spirit of Japanese culture. As the float assembling goes on, the streets boast a festive mood with a lot of vendors selling typical festival foods and drinks. And festival music played all around with drums, bamboo flutes, and bells adds to the festive atmosphere.

Gion Festival Day

On the festival day itself, the main thing I try to avoid is the huge crowds. Especially on the 17th, the day of float procession called Yamaboko Junko. People start to gather around the main streets to secure the best spot to see the procession from around 7 am, 2 hours ahead of the starting time. Around the main intersection where the spectacle of the huge float turning can be seen is by far the most crowded place.

Once you get in the crowd it’s almost impossible to move around for a while. This is why I always secure my position at a corner of less crowded streets, the corner of Shinmachi street and Shijo street are good areas. There are no obstacles that block your view and you will still feel the lively spirit of the participants wearing a happi, the traditional uniform for festivals.

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Floating Lanterns

The festival is called Toro Nagashi which literally means ‘lantern floating’. Small lamps made of paper with written messages of peace and personal desires are floated on the river. Anyone attending the festival can do this. A candle is installed in the lanterns and set in the river in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome to float away.

At nightfall, this turns the entire area into an area of ​​peace, union, reflection, and beauty. This is a wonderful event, which can be defined as a great peace festival. All the people gather around the river to observe this light show while remembering what happened on August 6, 1945. They all pray that the tragedy of the nuclear bomb will never happen again.

The Toro Nagashi is meant to guide the souls that remained on earth to the spiritual world. The ceremony is not exclusive to Hiroshima but is part of the holiday held in August called Obon. This is said to be the time that the spirits return to the earthly plane to meet their loved ones once more.

Toro Nagashi Matsuri Festival Origin

Local people say that shortly after the war, the families of the ones that were lost to the atomic bombing began this tradition. This tradition has been carried out to this day and now takes place in several important rivers of Hiroshima on the night of this special day.

If you want to participate, you can go to the awnings where there are notices saying that they make the lamps. A sheet of paper is given to the participant to write their message and then the volunteers cordially make the lamp. Anyone can write peace messages on the lanterns, which will be set afloat in the river. They will pass directly in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome.

The experience of seeing the warm lights of some 10,000 lanterns as they float quietly downstream in the darkness of the night. Each with peace desires from the assembled attendees, is a fantastic experience, almost from another world. Participants in this event include not only the locals of Hiroshima but also many visitors who come from all over the world.

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Area Map

During the hot summer days, one of the most spectacular Obon festivals in Japan is celebrated in central Tokyo. For the Mitama Matsuri, the Yasukuni Shrine is decorated with more than 30,000 traditional Japanese lanterns, running all the way from the great torii gate to the main gate of the sanctuary.

Obon Mitama Festival

Obon is the holiday during which the spirits of the family, friends, and ancestors return to the earth for three days to visit their loved ones and celebrate the holiday with them. In Japan, Obon is celebrated on different dates depending on the region, and in Kanto, where Tokyo is located, it is celebrated in mid-July.

The Yasukuni Shrine has been the backdrop for the famous Mitama Matsuri (Festival of Souls) since 1947. Thousands of people from both Japan and foreign countries visit this festival, amounting to approximately 300,000 visitors annually. The Mitama Matsuri takes place from July 12 to July 16, and for those days the Yasukuni Shrine offers a wide range of activities, aimed at all ages.

Mitama Festival Celebrations

Normally in the morning, the community of neighbors of the Kudanshita area performs traditional dances. They do this to welcome the spirits. Then in the afternoon, the lanterns will glow and the omikoshi (portable shrine) is carried by the men of the community. Dancing through the wide street of the shrine enclosure, it makes for a spectacular sight. There are also musical activities or martial arts presentations at the Noh Theater of the sanctuary. At nightfall, Mitama Matsuri enters its peak of beauty. Giving the visitor the opportunity to meet with their loved ones who are in the other world, it feels magical.

In the place where the statue of Omura Masujiro is located, all visitors gather. They are usually dressed in yukata (casual summer kimono) for the ‘Bon Dori’, the Obon dance. Bon Dori is performed to receive the spirit of the deceased and feel their presence again. The dance tends to be simple but very fun and cheerful.

Drawings

In the internal precincts of the sanctuary, paintings and drawings made by various artists and even by children are displayed. They represent the importance of art within the spiritual world. The main door sports the traditional decoration of the Tanabata Festival. The lanterns are not only on the outskirts but small lanterns also form a beautiful path that permeates the entire spiritual enclosure with light and serenity.

This is a great festival and one of the most important festivals of the year. Here, people of all ages gather to thank for peace and celebrate with love the visit of those beings who are no longer with us on earth.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Tokyo. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!