The Yamahoko procession, the highlight of the Gion Festival, one of Japan's three major festivals, began at 9 a.m. on July 17, 2024 in the center of Kyoto City.

A young boy from the Naginata-hoko float cutting the rope

The Naginata-hoko, which is leading the way, departed from Shijo-dori Karasuma in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, with a shout of "Enyaraya" as a signal. The Yamahoko, decorated with gorgeous decorations, proceeded leisurely down the Miyako-ji street, and the Gion music of "Konchikichin" echoed through the skyscrapers.

The Naginata-hoko float parade (Shijo Kawaramachi intersection)

At the intersections of Shijo Kawaramachi and Kawaramachi Oike, a "tsuji-mawashi" performance was held, in which giant Hoko and other floats change direction by 90 degrees. The leading Naginata-hoko arrived at the Shijo Kawaramachi intersection at around 9:45 a.m. The giant Hoko was pulled by ropes with green bamboo laid under the wheels.

The Naginata-hoko float leading the Gion Festival float procession

The giant float slowly turned around, and on the third try it successfully turned nearly 90 degrees before heading north down Kawaramachi Street.