- Traffic regulations 2023 交通規制最新情報
- Breaking 2023 直近最新情報
- What is Yoiyama? 宵山とは
- About Yoiyama 心得
- Food stands
- Traffic regulations for pedestrians
- Kaisho open hours
- After the traffic regulations
- Coping with the regulations 交通規制開始後の攻め方
- 具体的な攻め方図説
- Hiyori Kagura 日和神楽
- Kaisyo Kazeri 会所飾りの有無
- When would we go the Yoiyama?
- Access to Yoiyama
- On Yamaboko 鉾にのせてもらう
- Souvenirs 授与品
- Gosyuin stamp 御朱印
- At midnight 人がいなくなった後の山鉾
- Bargain sale お買い物
- Breaking News 2022年最新情報
- Appendix 参考文献
Traffic regulations 2023 交通規制最新情報
The schedule of the red arrows in the map
- Dates・・・7/15, and 16
- Hours・・・ 18:00～23:00)
Near Naginata Hoko and Kanoko Hoko, the small traffic regulation (two-way) for pedestrians are on. At the corners, you’ll find police officer on duty.
Breaking 2023 直近最新情報
7/15 Yoi-yoi Yama 宵々山
Early in the morning, the Imitakes were prapared.
The is prepared for the Shimenawa rope he cuts off.
7/14 Yoi-yoi-yoi Yama 宵々々山
After 21:00
At Tsukihoko one of the Tenuguis they offer are sold out.
At Toro Yama, T-shirts are sold out except the ones for kids.
The Goshuin stamps of Hakuga Yama are updated. There are 2 kinds.
Around 12:00
At Shinsen-en, the place Gion Matsuri started some 1000 years ago, the abbot of Shinsen-en temple and the priest of Yaska shrine exchanged the sacred water.
In Japan, we use water for Harae. Check the post on Chinowa Kuguri.
At Naginata Hoko, the Chimakis of the day were sold out.
At Tsukihoko, small fan is sold out. Chimakis are still available.
It will be sold out in the late evening.
ぎゃあああああああああああ!!!!!!!!!!!!
At Toroyama people wait in line. The red arrow shows the end of the line and the white one indicates the Kaisho.
T-shirts and Tenugui and others are available.
Byobu Matsuri of Nagokake is on the go.
At Iwato Yama and Udare Yama, we can enjoy the ornamants of them.
7/13 Yoi-yoi-yoi-yoi Yama 宵々々々山
Yamahokos lit their Komagata Chochin lanters.
Near Naginata hoko, the trafic regulation is on.
This year, Kanko Hoko offers us 2 kinds of Goshuin stamp (300 yen each). Kanko Hoko prepares a tapis of Mont Saint-Michel for the Maekake. The special sheet for Goshuin is available for 200 yen. (the right)
Kikusui Hoko Tea Party started.
- 13th・・・13:00～21:00
- 14th・・・12:00～21:00
- 15th・・・13:00～21:00
- 16th・・・12:00～21:00
しっぽり
しっぽり(Shippori) means something wet physically or mentally.
7/12
Today, the musicians of Kikusui Hoko and Kanko Hoko plays Gion Bayashi music on each Hoko. At Kaisho of Kanoko Hoko, we can have Chimaki for 1000 yen.
7/11
Now Mikoshis are in Buden of Yasaka shrine. The priests will bring the sprits of the deities to them on 15th.
Today, Yamahoko-building started,
Check out.
The Ohayashi musicians of Ohfunehoko are practicing.
At Daimaru department store, we can see the figurehead of Ofune Hoko.
This year, the Samura armor exhibition of Yumiyacho takes place.
On 7/12, I found 2 armors. I’m sure some Samurais couldn’t afford to wait.
It is not a well-known event. Only few Gion Matsuri-enthusiasts know. DO NOT MISS it.
- Dates・・・7/15～17
- Opne hours・・・10:00～17:00
7月10日
Mikoshi Arai shiki and Omukae Chochin took place.
What is Yoiyama? 宵山とは
Yoiyama means a kind of small festivals held a few days before in Hokomachi.
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.
Traffic regulations for pedestrians
In effect 18:00～23:00 on 7/15 and 7/16
Kaisho open hours
Kaisyo is a place where a Yamahoko float belongs to. You can have souvenirs and Goshuin stamps there.
| Sakimatsuri 前祭 | |
| 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 | |
| Iwato Yama岩戸山 | |
| Hosho Yama保昌山 | |
| Hakurakuten Yama白楽天山 | |
| Toro Yama蟷螂山 | |
| 14th～16th | Hoka Hoko放下鉾 |
| Fune Hoko船鉾 | |
| Moso Yama孟宗山 | |
| Urade Yama占出山 | |
| 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 | |
| Ayagasa Hoko綾傘鉾 | |
| Shijo Kasahoko四条傘鉾 | |
| Minami Kannnon Yama南観音山 | |
| 17th | Minami Kannnon Yama南観音山 |
| Atomatsuri 後祭 | |
| 20th～23rd | Ennno Gyoja Yama役行者山 |
| Shijo Ofune Hok四条大船鉾 | |
| 21st～23rd | Minami Kannnon Yama南観音山 |
| Hashi Benkei Yama橋弁慶山 | |
| Koi Yama鯉山 | |
| Jyomyo Yama浄妙山 | |
| Kuranushi Yama黒主山 | |
| Suzuka Yama鈴鹿山 | |
| Hachiman Yama八幡山 | |
| Takayama鷹山 | |
After the traffic regulations
刮目してくれ
In 2023, Yoiyamas would be SOOOOO CROWDED.
- Start at Naginata Hoko. Follow the black line.
- Visit floats in the area encircled in the red. In this area, we have no traffic regulations.
- In front of Kakkyo Yama, follow the blue line.
This is the shortest way.
Coping with the regulations 交通規制開始後の攻め方
Get Yoiyama map
Hankyu Karasuma sta. or Subway Shijo sta. is the perfect station to get to Hokomachi. These stations are located underground. Go to Shijo street by way of “EXIT 23(出口23).”
You’ll be the place indicated in the red circle. Information center is located there. Have a free map(s). IF you can’t find it, maps are available in the Kaishos of Yamahokos.
交通規制開始後
After the regulations, take this way to all the Yamahoko floats as indicated in next chapter.
具体的な攻め方図説
First, go to Naginata Hoko and walk to the east.
Turn right. The blue cirlcle: YOSHINOYA Gyudon Store.
Aftre 3 blocks, you’ find Hoshoyama.
After, Hosho yama, turn around and turn left.
The blue cirlce: Hotel Nikko princess.
Walk straight.
The blue cirlce: ENEOS gas station.
Turn right.
The blue cirlce: Hotel WING.
Walk straight.
The yellow square: Hakurakuten Yama.
Walk straight.
The yellow square: Niwatori Hoko.
Turn left at Shijo street.
Walk straight to Tsukihoko.
The yellow square: Kikusui Hoko
The blue circle: YASAKA and clover.
After Tsuki Hoko, to the other side of Shijo street and turn left.
The blue circle: Holy’s cafe.
The yellow square: Kanko Hoko.
Go Straight to Yamabushi Yama.
The yellow square: Yamabushi Yama.
The blue circle: LAWSON
The red circle: Vending machine of Coke.
After Yamabushi Yama, turn left.
The blue circle: Parking lots.
Turn left at the next corner.
The blue circle: A willow tree.
Go straight to Hoka Hoko.
The yellwo circle: Hoka Hoko.
Cross the Shijo street to Fune Hoko.
The red circle, a face with フクハウチ.
The blue circle: TAKAKURA.
After Fune Hoko, go straight to Iwato yama.
The yellow square: Iwato Yama.
After Iwatoyama, visit Ayagasa Hoko and the non-regulation zone enclosed in the red line.
After that, be a crossing near Tally’s coffee (Shijo Nishino Toin)
The blue circle: Tally’s coffee.
The yellow square: Kakkyo Yama.
After Kakkyo Yama, head for Tsukihoko.
The Yellow square; Tsuki Hoko.
The blue circle; a face with フクハウチ.
The yellow circle: Tsukihoko.
Turn left.
The blue circle: Holy’s cafe.
The yellow square: Kanko Hoko.
Turn right.
The yellow square: Yamabushi Yama.
The blue circle: LAWSON
The red circle: Vending machine of Coke.
Go straight to Urade Yama.
The yellow circle: Urade Yama.
After Urade Yama, turn right and go to Moso Yama.
The blue circle: Holy’s coffe.
The yellwo square: Moso Yama.
Turn right at Shijo Karasuma crossing.
The blue circle: Mitsui Sumitomo Bank 三井住友銀行
You don’t go to Kanko Hoko at once because of the regulations.
Pass through Kanko Hoko.
The yellow square: Kanko Hoko
The blue circle fence divides the street,
Turn left right at the next crossing.
The blue circle: Holys cafe.
Turn LEFT this time.
The yellow square: Yamabushi Yama.
The blue circle: LAWSON
The red circle: Vending machine of Coke.
Go to Arare Tenjin.
The yellow circle: Arare Tenjin.
The blue circle: Comfort Inn Hotel.
After Arare Tenjin, turn left at the next crossing.
Go straight to Hoka Hoko.
The yellwo circle: Hoka Hoko.
Tun left and Go to Kanko Hoko.
The red circle, a face with フクハウチ.
The blue circle: TAKAKURA.
Hiyori Kagura 日和神楽
Around midnight of 7/16, Ohayashi musicians of floats pay a visit to Otabisho to pray the success of Yamahoko parade.
The musicians of Naginata Hoko visit Yaska shrine instead.
Kaisyo Kazeri 会所飾りの有無
Naginata Hoko, Kikusui Hoko, Tsuki Hoko, Toro Yama, Shijo Kasa Hoko, and Taisiyama don’t offer Kaisho Kazari.
When would we go the Yoiyama?
In daytime or night
If you wanted Chimaki, Goshuin stamp, and other things at Kaisyo, it would be better go there in daytime though Yoi of Yoiyama means “night.” At night, many people visited Kaisyo and it might take time to have these things.
We have hot days in daytime usually. Prepare for them!
In daytime, buy the things you want and enjoy Yamahoko floats, paper lanterns and Kaisyo Kazari.
At twilight
We have two matsrui in Gion matsuri; Saki matsruri and Ato matsuri. In Ato matsuri, the twilight reminds of us autumn though we are in the midst of summer.
Car-free zone?
In Ato matsuri, we have car-free zones only around Yamaboko floats. And we don’t have one-way roads.
Go anywhere you want!
Access to Yoiyama
In Kyoto, we usually take bus to go to our destination but it would be better to take trains in Yoiyama period.
The bus routes are changed to avoid Hokomachi.
Following are the stations near Hokomachi (the enclosed area in blue line);
Kyoto City Subway Shijo station(the blue train on the map), Hankyu Karasuma station (the red train), and Keihan Shijo Kawaramachi station (the green train).
On Yamaboko 鉾にのせてもらう
We can be on Yamaboko floats. In Atomatsuri, Ohfuneboko, Kita Kannon yama and Minami Kannon yama.
Souvenirs 授与品
In every Kasyo, we can buy Chimaki, Tenugui towels and so on.
Gosyuin stamp 御朱印
In Yoiyama, every Yamaboko offers us Gosyuin at Kaisho.
They are stamps but we have calligraphy Gosyuin at Ohfunaboko.
At Kaisyo and book stores, we can have Gosyuin-cho (Gosyuin book) specialized on Gion matsuri.
At the top of a page, the name of Yamboko is indicated.
Attentio～n!
Put the right stamp on the right page. In the photo, Goshuin of Kankoboko is on a page of Kikusuiboko.
Press a stamp tightly.
At midnight 人がいなくなった後の山鉾
Around 22:00~23:00, most people go back to home and Hokomachi was deserted and paper lanterns are turned off. It’s one of the beautiful moments in Yoiyama.
Don’t miss it!
Bargain sale お買い物
At Yoiyama, we can buy beautiful Japanese cloth, Kimono, and other things related our culture at LOW PRICE.
For example, I Bought these Hariko paper figurines only for 300 yen.
Breaking News 2022年最新情報
Overview
EXCLUSIVE!!!
The following is a schedule of Saki Matsuri of Gion Matsuri 2022.
- Saki Matsuri・・・7/14～7/16
7/17
7/16 Yoi Yama 宵山
Around 16:00. オニのようにcrowded though Yoiyama has not yet started.
At 18:00. The regulation is in effect. So many people, we are in 修羅場 (syuraba, toughest situation).
We’ve got a lot of food sands today.
7/15 Yoi Yoi Yama 宵々山
Yoi Miya Sai宵宮祭
Now the Deities are on Mikoshis and ready for outing.
Yoi Yoi Yama 宵々山
ぎやあああああああ！！！！！
Yoiyama area is so crowded as usual year.
Tomorrow, オニのようにCROWDED.
There were a few Food stands.
7/14 Yoi Yoi Yoi Yama 宵々々山
Breaking report, 合掌
- NO traffic regulations are in effect but lots of police officer are there.
- We cannot stay around Naginata Hoko, and Kanko Hoko.
- At 19:00, Chimaki of Naginata Hoko are sold out.
- We can get 4 Goshuin stamps at Kanko Hoko.
- At Yamabushi Yama Kaisho, we can admire brad-new Mizuhikis (somthing like carpets decolate floats.) . Buy something at Yamabushiyama to see them. Usual year, we exercise Chinowakuguri but it’s not available this year due to COVID-19. 3 types of Goshuin stamps are available.
- Ofune Hoko Kaisho is open in Sakimatsuri. Goshuin stamps and souvenirs are available. This year, Ofune Hoko parades with a golden dragon. It makes Ryuto Gekishu with Fune Hoko.
- At Toroyama Kaisyo, most of all T-shrits are sold out.
- It takes about 90 minutes to see all of Yamahoko floats except Hosho Yama. It will take much more time on 15th and 16th.
- In Yoiyama, it’s hot because there are lots of people around us. Take water or smth when feeling thirsty.
Make sure what Ryuto Gekishu boats are.
Typical Sakimatsuri bleu. We cannot expect this in Atomatsuri.
Shijo street is not crowede as expected.
So is Yoiyama area.
Kanko Hoko has 4 types Goshiin stamps. 1 and 2 is available any other years except ”令和四年.” ”令和四年” is our Imperial year. Get both of them at a Tent located east to Kanko Hoko. 3 is available at the one to located west to it. 4 is available at the one to located west to it. Each one of them is 300 JPY.
4 is peculiar. Soラブリー( Rabu Ry, lovely)
Appendix 参考文献
真弓常忠（2000）『祇園信仰』朱鷺書房
真弓常忠／編 （2002）『祇園信仰事典』戎光祥出版
川嶋 將生 （2010）『祇園祭 祝祭の都』
下間正隆 （2014）『イラスト祇園祭』京都新聞出版センター
脇田晴子 （2016）『中世京都と祇園祭ー疫神と都市の生活』
公益財団法人祇園祭山鉾連合会 （2018）『放鷹ー祇園祭 鷹山 復興のための基本設計』公益財団法人鷹山保存会
