Here are highlights and basics of the Big 3 of Kyoto’s festivals: Gion Matsuri (祇園祭), Jidai Matsuri (時代祭), Aoi Matsuri (葵祭), and a surprise.
“Maturi (祭 / 祭り)” means “festival” in Japanese.
Gion Matsuri (祇園祭) / July
Downtown Kyoto during Gion Matsuri.
Gion Matsuri (originated in 869 CE) is not only one of the Big 3 in Kyoto, but also one of the Big 3 in entire Japan: Kanda Matsuri (神田祭) in Tokyo, Tenjin Matsuri (天神祭) in Osaka, and Gion Matsuri.
During Gion Matsuri, which is the whole month of July, Gion Matsuri tunes (祇園囃子 / コンチキチン) are played everywhere in Kyoto like Mariah Carey in December.
Downtown Kyoto during Gion Matsuri.
The highlight of Gion Matsuri is the yamahoko parade (山鉾巡行 / parade of Japanese yamahoko matsuri floats) on the 17th and 24th. Performers wear make-up and a costume on floats which are mobilized by the pure masculinity of men. It’s certainly more impressive than Kyoto Rainbow Pride.
The focus of Gion Matsuri is on parties on the main streets in Downtown Kyoto. The parties are called “eves”: Gion Matsuri eve party (宵山 / yoi yama) on the 16th and Gion Matsuri eve-eve party (宵々山 / yoi yoi yama) on the 15th.
During the eves, the streets turn pedestrian zones between 6 pm and 11 pm. Pedestrians and street vendors LITERALLY pack the streets.
Details: https://kyoto.travel/en/season_festivals/gion_matsuri.html
・All 34 floats
・All 34 floats’s locations
・Parade route
・Traffic restrictions
Jidai Matsuri (時代祭) / October
Jidai Matsuri (since 1895), in one word, is an enormous fashion show.
On October 22nd, the parade of 2000 people marches for two and a half hours to showcase the history of fashions from eight periods: the Meiji Restoration period (明治維新時代 circa 1868), the Edo period (江戸時代 1603-1867), the Azuchi-Momoyama period (安土桃山時代 1568 -1600), the Muromachi period (室町時代 1336-1573), the Yoshino period (吉野時代 1333-1392), the Kamakura period (鎌倉時代 1192-1333), the Fujiwara period (藤原時代 894-1185), and the Enryaku period (延暦時代 782-806).
That’s why the festival is called “Jidai (era/period)” Matsuri.
The parade usually starts at Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所) at 12:15 pm and arrives at Heian Shrine (Heian Jingu Shrine / 平安神宮) at 2:30 pm. The audience seamlessly pack the whole 5km (3.1 miles) route that traverses Downtown Kyoto.
Details: https://kyoto.travel/en/season_festivals/jidai_matsuri.html
・Parade route
Aoi Matsuri (葵祭) / May
Unlike common people’s Gion Matsuri, Aoi Matsuri is technically a ritual for royal people.
On May 15th, the parade named “Roto no gi (路頭の儀)” of 500 people marches 8km (5 miles) from Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所 10:30 am) to Kamigamo Shrine (上賀茂神社 3:30 pm) via Shimogamo Shrine (下鴨神社 11:40 am). Both shrines are Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
An international guest from LA fancying the ritual at Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Details: https://kyoto.travel/en/season_festivals/aoi_matsuri.html
・Parade route
Daimonji (大文字) / August
If it were the Big 4, Daimonji (Gozan no Okuribi / 五山送り火) must be it.
At 8 pm on August 16th, six mountains light bonfires in turn. Each bonfire/mountain represents a letter: 大 (dai or daimonji / 大文字), 法 (ho), 妙 (myo), a pictogram of a ship (舟形 / funagata), and a pictogram of a gate (鳥居 / torii).
The six mountains (two 大s and the others) are to express farewell to deceased family members (お精霊さん / oshorai-san) who visit the human world on summer vacation (お盆 / obon). “Gozan no Okuribi / 五山送り火” means “five mountains sending fire.”
FYI: Pokémon’s move “Fire Blast” in Japanese is “だいもんじ / Daimonji.” That’s why the move shows a letter resembling “大” in the video game. Pokémon’s monsters are basically from Kyoto since Nintendo is a Kyoto-based company.
Details: https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/august/daimonji-gozan-okuribi-ritual-fires/
・6 mountains’ locations
・Traffic restrictions
