At the heart of the Gion Festival are the yamaboko floats — sometimes called a “moving museum” because each one carries art, history and tradition through Kyoto’s streets. The festival features 34 floats in total.
These floats come in two main types: yama (smaller floats with pine tree tops) and hoko (larger multi-storied floats pulled by many people). The procession is divided into two parts: the early festival (Saki Matsuri, July 10-17) with 23 floats, and the later festival (Ato Matsuri, July 18-24) with the remaining floats.
What makes these floats special isn’t just size or spectacle — it’s the craftsmanship, the treasures they carry, and the local communities behind them. Some floats feel more intimate and traditional, some grand and elaborate.
If you’re visiting Kyoto during the festival, walking among the yamaboko floats gives you a chance to see culture in motion: art on wheels, history in parade, and the collective joy of a city living its tradition.
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