Gion Matsuri (Festival) with Japanese relatives

Brian, Jeannine, and I had the opportunity to attend one of Japan's most famous festivals: The Gion Matsuri (Festival) in Kyoto.

My Japanese relatives (Auntie Yoshie, my cousin Kotaro, and Auntie Yoshie's sister Keiko and her daughter Emi) from Osaka met up with us in Kyoto. They graciously introduced us to Kyoto's famed Gion district, the Gion Matsuri, and treated us to some of Kyoto's culinary delights.

Inside a Yamaboko float

A yamaboko float

Afternoon green tea and mochi

Afternoon green tea in Gion

Afternoon green tea in Gion

Jeannine enjoying mochi during afternoon tea

On a famous corner in Gion where tourists don't go

On a famous corner in Gion where tourists don't go, according to Auntie Yoshie

Here's some background: Gion Matsuri (Festival) takes place annually in Kyoto, and it's one of the most famous festivals in Japan. It goes on for the entire month of July and it's crowded by a parade, the Yamaboko Junko.

The streets are lined with stalls selling food, Japanese sweets, and other culinary treats. Many women dress in yukata (summer kimono) adorned with their purses and paper fans. Private houses in the old kimono merchant district open their entryways to the public, exhibiting valuable family heirlooms, known as the Byobu Matsuri (Folding Screen Festival.)

Gion Matsuri originated as a purification ritual to appease the gods thought to cause fire, floods, earthquakes, and plagues. This practice was repeated whenever an outbreak occurred. Over time the merchant class made the festival more elaborate, and by the Edo period (1600s) they used the parade to display their wealth.

The floats in the Yoiyama Parade are divided into Hoko and Yama groups, collectively called Yamaboko. All floats are decorated with beautiful tapestries of the highest quality from Japan. The floats also carry traditional musicians and artists.

Model of the yamaboko floats

Private houses in the old kimono merchant district open their entryways to the public, exhibiting valuable family heirlooms, known as the Byobu Matsuri (Folding Screen Festival.)

Group shot at Yakasa Shrine

Yasaka Shrine, where the Gion Matsuri parade begins

Dinner with the Nishida family in Gion

Brian and Kotaro

We're thankful that our generous and gracious Japanese relatives introduced us to Gion Matsuri, and taught us so much about Kyoto's rich culture and heritage!