In order to help you enjoy Gion Matsuri Festival to its fullest we have prepared digital maps (accessible with GPS) of Early Festival (Saki Matsuri) and Latter Festival (Ato Matsuri). During the Yoiyama period, we will distribute them in the following URL. You can also download the maps as PDF.
Digital Map
Early Festival (Saki Matsuri), July 14-16
Latter Festival (Ato Matsuri), July 21-23
*If your device’s system language is other than Japanese, the map will be automatically displayed in English.
In this article
What is Yoiyama?
In days of old, the day was believed to begin at sunset. Therefore, to put this in modern perspective, the day of the festival was thought to have already begun on the evening of the previous day; and this was called Yoiyama, or procession eve.
Procession eve is the time during the Gion Matsuri when flames are lit in the decorative komagata lantern of each Yama-Hoko, who in turn are beautifully decorated with figures, tapestries and metal ornaments. The voice of the children dressed in yukatas singing songs meant to act as protection charms can be heard throughout the festival. It is the time in which the festival spirit reaches its climax.
The Early Festival (Saki Matsuri) on the 16th and the Latter Festival (Ato Matsuri) on the 23rd are the actual dates of Yoiyama, however in recent years the Early Festival (Saki Matsuri) has begun to last from the 14th to 16th while the Latter Festival (Ato Matsuri) – from the 21st to the 23rd.
About the Gion Matsuri Festival
2026 Yoiyama Schedule
| July 14–16 | Early Festival Yoiyama The flames are lit in the decorative komagata lantern of each Yamahoko float as the festival music fills the air. The pedestrian roads and the floats themselves are lavishly decorated with festival lanterns. Old houses in Yamahoko-cho remove the latticework from the front and open their tatami rooms to the public, where they display their treasured folding screens and other decorations. |
| July 17, 9 AM | Early Yamahoko Junko (Float Procession) The procession of 23 floats is demonstrated along Shijo, Kawaramachi, and Oike streets. Their beautiful decorations appear even more splendid under the bright summer sunlight. |
| July 21–23 | Latter Festival Yoiyama The flames are lit in the decorative komagata lantern of each Yama-Hoko and the Gion Music from the floats fills the air. The pedestrian roads and the floats themselves are gorgeously decorated with festival lanterns. Old houses in Yamahoko-cho remove the latticework from the front and open their tatami rooms to the public, where they display their treasured folding screens and other decorations. |
| July 24, 9:30 AM | Latter Festival Yamahoko Junko (Float Procession) The procession of 11 floats is demonstrated along Oike, Kawaramachi and Shijo streets. |
Camera Livestream During the Gion Festival
Portable cameras will be set up around the Gion Matsuri Festival area and the livestream captured by them will be streamed on YouTube in order to help lessen crowding.
Scheduled streaming period: July 10 (Fri) – July 24 (Fri）
Shijo Karasuma:
Karasuma Rokkaku:
Advisory Notes
We ask all visitors to Yoiyama and the Gion Matsuri Festival’s Yamahoko Float Processions to kindly take note of the following:
- Be careful of the heat stroke. Rehydrate frequently and take rests as needed.
- Take advantage of Kyoto’s efficient public transportation while visiting.
- Follow safety instructions from the police and other security staff to avoid accidents caused by overcrowding.
- Please do not bring your bike with you into the areas for festival participants.
- Refrain from eating or drinking while you walk.
The Gion Festival will be held in a residential area. Please do not forget to respect and be considerate of the local community.
Kyoto City has created a campaign called “Kyoto Guidelines” that conveys what tourists, business operators and citizens should do to show respect to each other in order to create a more sustainable Kyoto.
