This year’s Gion Matsuri is starting. Little and large events are taking place around the city. We can already feel the presence of a larger than usual number of people, mainly around Shijo / Kawaramachi streets. The construction of the Hoko and Yama has began around this part of the city and I hope to catch a few pictures of the way these floats are being put together.
Meanwhile, the first procession / parade took place this afternoon. Numerous children dressed up in gorgeous traditional outfits left the Yasaka Shrine to head west along Shijo street to Kawaramachi. Their role is to welcome the “Mikoshi” (portable shrines) carried out of Yasaka Shrine later in the evening.
