Colourful floats wow crowds at Kyoto's Gion festival

Video. Colourful floats wow crowds at Kyoto's Gion festival

In Japan's ancient capital Kyoto, spectators braved sweltering heat to watch a series of colourful floats at the annual Gion festival on Tuesday.

In Japan's ancient capital Kyoto, spectators braved sweltering heat to watch a series of colourful floats at the annual Gion festival on Tuesday.

A total of 23 large floats took part in the parade through the western Japanese city in a highlight of the centuries-old summer festival.

Spectators applauded as heavy floats negotiated right angle turns at intersections, with bamboo sticks laid beneath the wheels and water sprayed on them.