On July 20, 2026, ahead of the Gion Festival’s *Ato-matsuri* (Latter Festival) float procession on July 24, test pulls of the assembled *yamahoko* floats—including the *Ofune-hoko* (Big Boat Float) in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto—were conducted. Temperatures in Kyoto City hit a record high for the year at 38.1°C, yet many citizens and tourists alike sweated as they pulled the ropes.
Articles are excerpts from reports and news in the Kyoto Shimbun. Due to automatic translation, some expressions may not be accurate.
