The Gion Matsuri’s procession of massive, colorful floats known as ‘yama’ & ‘hoko’ begins on its majestic crawl through Kyoto on Kawaramachi-dori at Shijo ~ both major streets in the heart of town. Our location will be at the corner of Kawaramachi and Oike ~ where Kyoto’s City Hall overlooks the intersection. Why here? There is considerable excitement in the crowds here as the floats make their turn onto Oike, pulled by dozens and sliding on bamboo slats ~ the towering floats weighing tons ~ so cheers go up at the successful turn!

At 10:00am on Thurs, July 17th we will meet near the entrance to the Okura Hotel, on the NE corner of Kawaramachi & Oike streets ~ Sign up and join this in-town excursion led by David Satterwhite, TUJ’s faculty Experiential Education Coordinator in Kyoto.

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