THE GIST OF THIS ARTICLE
- Page 1 What is Yoiyama, Kaisyo opendays
- Page 2 Best time to visit
- Page 3 Trafic regulations for pedestrian
- Page 4 Breaking report
The following is the contents of this article.
What is Yoiyama? 宵山とは
Yoiyama means a kind of small festivals held a few days before in Hokocho.
Hokomachi is a district where we can find Yamaboko floats. As seen in the photo above, there are many paper lanterns hanging on Yamaboko floats.
Yoiyama is preparation for Mikoshi and Yamaboko parade. It still reminds secret when it started but Gion Groyo-e Saiki, a book on Gion Goryo-e (the former name of Gion matsuri.), tells us it began in the 18th century.
Today, the word Yoiyama has two meanings; The three consecutive days before Yamaboko parade, and the eve of the parade.
In Saki Matsuri, Yamahoko parade is on 17th. We call 16th Yoiyama, 15th Yoiyoiyama, and 14th Yoiyoiyoiyama precisely.
In this article, we call the nights of 14~16th Yoiyama.
In Yoiyama, we can see paper lanterns hanging on Yamaboko floats, enjoy Ohayashi music, and have Chimaki amulet and Goshuin stamps at Kaisyo, a kind of head office of Yamaboko floats. At many Kaisho, we can enjoy ornaments of Yamahoko. It is called “Kaisyo Kazari.” Most of them are put on Yamaboko floats on the very day of Yamaboko parade.
What is Gion Matsuri?
- Why celebrated?
- Why Gion matsuri started in the private garden of emperors? (It is a post of the rock garden of Ryoanji and shows you the meaning of Japanese garden.)
- Gozu tenno and epidemics
- Mikoshis of Gion Matsuri
- When Yamahoko parade started?
- How to make Yamahoko floats?
- All the Yamahoko floats
- Sakimatsuri Yoiyama
- Atomatsuri Yoiyama
About Yoiyama 心得
- Yoiyamas started on 7/14; Yoi-yoi-yoi Yama (7/14), Yoi-yoi Yama (7/15), amd Yoi Yama (7/16).
- Yoi Yama (7/16) is the most crowded day
- On 7/15 and 16, have souvenirs by the 18:00. At 18:00, traffic regulations are on. After that, it takes at least 2 hours to see all the Yamahoko floats.
- Food srands are available in Saki Matsuri.
- The stores in Hoko cho are on sale, you could get many things in reasonable price.
- Do not go Yoiyama by bus. Trains are strongly recommended.
REMEMBAAAH!
- 7/14: Crowded. 7/15: So Crowded. 7/16日: 鬼のようにCROWDED.
- Naginat Hoko is the most popular float. Chimaki and souvenirs are sold out easily.
- Tsukihoko and Toro Yama (especially t-shrit and Tenugui hand towel), too.
- Kanko Hoko has 3 place for Goshuin stamps.
- Fune Hoko sells lots of souvenirs. Handwritten Goshuin stamps are available.
- Hosho Yama is an only floats with Goriyaku of Enmusubi.
- Toro Yama
Food stands
Food stands are located near Shijoh Karasuma crossings (indicated in the brown line in the map). There would be a lots of people.
Yakisoba, Takoyaki, Choko Banana and other Japanese foods are availeble.
Alcohols ans soft drinks are also availeble.
At Maruyama Koen, there also are food stands. Maguro Kaitai show’s availeble.
In Maguro Kaitai show, a chef cooks a big tuna.
Kaisho open days
Kaisyo is a place where a Yamahoko float belongs to. You can have souvenirs and Goshuin stamps there.
| Sakimatsuri 前祭 | |
| 12th～16th | Ayagasa Hoko綾傘鉾 |
| 13th～16th | Naginata Hoko長刀鉾 |
| Kanko Hoko函谷鉾 | |
| Niwatori Hoko鶏鉾 | |
| Kikusui Hoko菊水鉾 | |
| Tsuki Hoko月鉾 | |
| Hoka Hoko放下鉾 | |
| Fune Hoko船鉾 | |
| Iwato Yama岩戸山 | |
| Hosho Yama保昌山 | |
| Urade Yama占出山 | |
| Hakurakuten Yama白楽天山 | |
| 14th～16th | Moso Yama孟宗山 |
| Yamabushi Yama山伏山 | |
| Arare Tenjin Yama霰天神山 | |
| Kakkyo Yama郭巨山 | |
| Hakuga Yama伯牙山 | |
| Ashikari Yama芦刈山 | |
| Abura Tenjin Yama油天神山 | |
| Tokusa Yama木賊山 | |
| Taishi Yama太子山 | |
| Toro Yama蟷螂山 | |
| Shijo Kasahoko四条傘鉾 | |
