About Gion Matsuri
Gion Matsuri is the festival of Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine and one of the three great festivals of Japan. Spanning the entire month of July, it dates back to 869, when it began as a purification ritual to ward off plague. This live Gion Matsuri countdown ticks down to July 17 — the date of the spectacular Yamaboko Junko grand float procession — showing the days, hours and minutes left in your own timezone.
The festival's centerpiece is its towering yamaboko floats: some stand over 25 metres tall and weigh several tonnes, hauled through the streets on giant wooden wheels and decorated with prized tapestries. The grand parade runs on July 17 (the Saki Matsuri, 23 floats) and again on July 24 (the Ato Matsuri, 11 floats). On the festive Yoiyama evenings beforehand, downtown Kyoto closes to traffic for lantern-lit streets and food stalls.
Gion Matsuri unfolds every July, so this countdown always targets the next July 17 grand parade before rolling over once the day passes. Whether you are planning a trip to Kyoto or simply love Japanese culture, bookmark the live Gion Matsuri countdown or pin it to your own page to follow the build-up to Japan's most famous summer festival.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Friday, July 17, 2026next |
| 2027 | Saturday, July 17, 2027 |
| 2028 | Monday, July 17, 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, July 17, 2029 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, July 17, 2030 |
FAQ
When is Gion Matsuri?
Gion Matsuri runs throughout July in Kyoto. The grand Yamaboko Junko float parade takes place on July 17, with a second, smaller procession on July 24.
Why is Gion Matsuri celebrated?
It began in 869 as a religious ritual at Yasaka Shrine to appease the gods and stop a plague sweeping the capital, and has been held almost every year since.
How is Gion Matsuri celebrated?
Enormous yamaboko floats are paraded through Kyoto, preceded by lively Yoiyama evenings when the downtown streets fill with lanterns, food stalls and festival-goers in yukata.
What are the Gion Matsuri floats?
They are the yamaboko — tall wooden floats, some over 25 metres high, hung with fine tapestries and pulled by teams through the city in the Yamaboko Junko procession.