The Gion Festival, one of Japan's three major festivals, began on July 1, 2026. At Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward, the *chigo* (sacred child) of the Naginata-hoko float—stationed on Shijo-dori Street in Shimogyo Ward—participated in the "Ochendo-no-gi" ritual to pray for the festival's safe conduct.
Articles are excerpts from reports and news in the Kyoto Shimbun. Due to automatic translation, some expressions may not be accurate.
