Magnificent Matsuri

Video. Magnificent Matsuri

One of Japan’s biggest and oldest events, the month-long Gion Matsuri summer festival is in full swing in Kyoto. The city hosts a parade called Yamaboko Junko where residents and tourists gather in downtown Kyoto to see the 23 decorative floats.

One of Japan’s biggest and oldest events, the month-long Gion Matsuri summer festival is in full swing in Kyoto. The city hosts a parade called Yamaboko Junko where residents and tourists gather in downtown Kyoto to see the 23 decorative floats.

The festival started as a sort of purification ritual for the appeasement of Gods to protect them from fire, floods and earthquakes – which Japan is highly prone to.