Ato Matsuri — Kyoto’s Farewell to the Gion Festival

Ato Matsuri, or the “later festival,” runs from July 18 to 24 in Kyoto and marks the closing chapter of Gion Matsuri. While Saki Matsuri (July 10–17) is about inviting the deities to purify the city, Ato Matsuri is about sending them back, completing the festival’s spiritual cycle. 

During Ato Matsuri, the yamaboko floats are rebuilt and treasure display areas (chōnai) are set up. The floats begin construction around July 18—Ōfune Boko leads the effort. From the 21st to 23rd, these floats are open to the public (roughly 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.), sometimes with late music for the largest floats. 

The grand parade happens on July 24, traveling the same route as in Saki Matsuri, but in the opposite direction. A unique feature of Ato Matsuri is the byōbu matsuri (“folding screen festival”), where locals display family heirlooms like folding screens in their homes for visitors to appreciate. 

Because Ato Matsuri is smaller (with about 11 floats, roughly half the number in Saki Matsuri) and lacks street stalls, the ambiance is quieter and more intimate—less of a crowd, more neighborhood warmth. 

For travelers, Ato Matsuri offers a gentler pace: more time to examine the fl
oats’ details, enjoy local custom, and feel a deeper connection to Kyoto’s festival soul.