The Gion Festival in Kyoto entered its Yoiyama period on July 21, 2025. On the night of this day, affectionately called "Yoiyoiyoiyama," the streets of the 11 Yamahoko towns in Nakagyo and Shimogyo wards in Kyoto City were lit up with komagata lanterns, and spectators enjoyed the atmosphere.
The Yamahoko procession is held twice, on July 17 and July 24, and is called the Yamahoko Procession of the Former Festival and the Yamahoko Procession of the Ato Matsuri. A total of 23 floats, including the Naginata-hoko, take part in the Former Festival, while 11 floats, including the Takayama and Ofune-hoko, parade in the Ato Matsuri. The Yoiyama period is set up until the day before each parade, and the streets, which are off-limits to passenger vehicles, are crowded with spectators.
The Ato Matsuri was revived in 2014 after a hiatus of about half a century. Nine floats are set up north of Takoyakushi-dori between Muromachi-dori and Shinmachi-dori, and two more, including the Ofuneboko, are set up south of that. Unlike the Maematsuri, during the Yoiyama period of the Atomatsuri, Shijo-dori and Karasuma-dori are not turned into pedestrian streets (pedestrian precincts) and no outdoor stalls are set up. The quiet, elegant atmosphere is popular.
The Yoiyama period of the Atomatsuri runs until the 23rd.
