Gion Matsuri 祇園祭...And More Sights.

It's that time of the year. It's the Gion Matsuri parade. The festival is said to have started in 869 in the hope of securing divine intervention to halt an epidemic that was sweeping the area. The current form of the festival was created in the Edo Era when the yama and hoko were made. The festival starts on the first of July and goes throughout the month.

I try to get into my yukata in the morning but it isn't working. It isn't until Yoko comes to the room and teaches me, Bev, and Amanda what to do. It's a good thing that my coworker taught me how to put on the obi so I could help everyone. It's too bad that Rei didn't wear a yukata with us.

We get our seats to watch the parade. It's unbelievably hot and there is no breeze to relieve us from the heat. It feels like I'm sitting in an oven. Even though I'm wearing a yukata, I think it's more comfortable than my regular clothes. Also, I don't have to worry about getting a sunburn, well only on my face.

It's amazing how many people are gathered. Many are from other parts of Japan. It reminds me of Maui's County Fair Parade. Like the Gion Matsuri parade, the roads close and all of Maui County comes to watch and join in the festivities.


As the parade comes towards us, you can see these massive floats that shoot up to 25 meters high. Each yama (float) weigh around 12 tons and are pulled by over 2 dozen men. Each yama are elaborately decorated with tapestries imported from many countries including Belgium, Persia, and Turkey.

Everyone that participates in the parade is a volunteer. I cannot believe that this many people volunteer to do this, and they do it with such pride that they are keeping tradition alive. I made a comment to Yoko and Bev that the amount of people in parade is probably equivalent to the population of Maui. Well, it seems like to me.

The heat is unbearable. At one point we had to get out of the sun and go underground to the shopping area. When we get back out, majority of the people are gone. I guess the heat got to those people also. I don't blame them. It was during the hottest times during the day (11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.). The day isn't over for us. We head to the Gion district.


We now are in the streets of Gion. Too bad it's too early in the day to see any maiko. Maybe one day there will be a chance to go at night. The streets of Gion is Kyoto's best-known geisha area and symbol to the average Japanese man of all that's good in life: wine, women, and karaoke.

The streets are narrow, yet cars fit themselves in between pedestrians. I don't know how people in Japan drive. I would be too scared to go down these types of streets. But Japanese people are more aware of their surroundings and pay attention to cars and bicyclers passing by.

After a short tour around the streets of Gion, we head toward Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社). This shrine used to be known as the Gion Shrine. Yasaka Shrine is the host of the Gion Festival. According to DK Eyewitness Travel, the shrine was established around 656. The deities protect from illness and thus started the Gion Festival known today.

So many people are gathered and many vendors are setup selling food or offer games to win prizes. The heat has drained my energy, so I don't really explore much of the shrine. Instead I wait in the shade and rest my feet. I notice many people pass by and head toward the main hall. I wonder how many have made the pilgrimage in the hope for protection (probably all).

The rest was short lived. We're back up and head toward Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺). I wasn't prepared for what was to happen next, I don't think anyone was. The walk to get to Kiyomizu-dera was a steep incline. I've noticed with majority of the shrines that have great impact to Japanese culture require us to work hard in order to get there. It's like a test of will. We have to show how much dedication we have to the place in order to get its full reward.

When we get to the gates, my mind says "let's go," but my legs say "no, no more." In the end my legs win the battle, and I rest for a while. After a short rest I am ready to go explore the area. I have been waiting to see this place. I've seen pictures and have seen it on Haro@Morning.

Kiyomizu-dera was built in 798 and is one of the most famous Buddhist temples. For more than 1,000 years, pilgrims have made the same climb as we did to pray at the temple and drink from its sacred spring. Kiyomizu means pure water.

Looking at the main hall's veranda, you wouldn't think that all the supports underneath are nail-less. It's amazing that after all these centuries that all the interlocking joints are still supporting the structure.

Because of time restraints, we don't have time to drink from the spring. This is such a big tourist spot. There were a lot of Chinese tourists. Plus, because I was still in yukata from the parade, a couple of girls asked for a picture with me (^_^).

Finally, free time. Time to unwind with shopping! It seems like there is more to digest than last year's course. Three to four places in a day is a lot to digest. Plus with such little time at each place, it's hard to notice everything that you should notice. It's our final night in Kyoto, tomorrow is Toei Eiga Mura and Osaka!