Kyoto's Amazing Gion Festival
23 beautifully decorated floats ambled through the streets of Kyoto on Wednesday, July 17, an exciting climax to a whole month of exciting festivities! The festival is said to date back to the year 869, where it started as a ceremony to appease the gods.
By NIPPON TV NEWS 24 JAPANhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhKThiX0jug&feature=youtu.be
The Yamahoko Parade is considered the highlight of Kyoto's Gion Festival.
Elaborate floats are dubbed the "moving art museums" due to their decoration. As mentioned in the the intro, the Gion Festival is believed to have stemmed from a religious purification ritual to ward off a terrible plague. Those hoping to experience the excitement for themselves will have to wait until next year to join in!
