In Kyoto, Saki Matsuri runs from July 10 to 17 and marks the first half of the grand Gion Matsuri celebration. It builds the excitement and sets the tone before the climactic parade and rituals.
During these days, the area around Karasuma-Shijō becomes a stage for the festival’s many floats (yamaboko).Local communities work to decorate, assemble, and display their floats, revealing their chōnai (treasure display areas) from around July 13. On July 14–16, these floats are open to view all day (roughly 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.).
The climax of Saki Matsuri is on July 17, when 23 floats set off in a stately procession through Kyoto’s streets. What’s remarkable is the tsuji-mawashi — the corner turn manoeuver — because the float wheels themselves don’t pivot. It’s a breathtaking moment of coordination and tradition.
So what is displayed on a Gion Matsuri float during Saki Matsuri? You’ll see:
Ornate tapestries, carvings, and decorative fabrics
Sacred objects and relics in the chōnai
Symbolic motifs tied to mythology, history, or local folklore
Rich heritage items (sometimes heirlooms) that connect to each community’s identity
Walking among the floats on the evenings of July 15–16 is magical: the streets shut to traffic, lanterns glow, and the festival feels both grand and intimate.
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