Gion Matsuri, one of Japan’s most significant festivals, is taking place in the ancient city of Kyoto this week.
Part of a purification ritual to appease the gods thought to cause fire, floods and earthquakes, the festival takes its name from Kyoto’s Gion district.
The event consumes the city for the month of July, and is crowned by parades on 17 and 24 July. During the parades, 32 elaborate floats are carried or rolled through the streets, with float designs inspired by Chinese and Japanese history and mythology.
For three days prior to each parade, streets are turned into pedestrian zones, lined with food stalls dishing up traditional delicacies.
Comments are closed.