Gion Matsuri festival – leaning about the eternal traditions from the 9^th century

This is the virtual tour option, which is conducted simultaneously with the "real tour" involving other participants. You are advised just to install the Zoom video conferencing application and wait for the tour conduction date and time. Shortly before the tour begins, you will receive the password to join the live streaming of the real tour, and you can enjoy a truly realistic and interactive tour experience with your friends or family at home. The Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto is designated as a UNESCO Intangible World Heritage, and is said to be the largest in scale and the most gorgeous among all other major festivals in Japan. The time-honored ritual of the Yasaka Jinja Shinto shrine has been handed down generation to generation since the 9^th century by the local people's enthusiasm and lifetime effort. The highlight is the opening procession of 23 floats on July 17^th and the return procession of ten floats on July 24^th. This guided tour is conducted during festival eves of July 14^th to 16^th, and July 21^st to 23^rd, when the floats are respectively set in the street and can be observed amid the lively yet classic atmosphere of the Shinto ritual.