Gion Festival Blogs

A Gion Matsuri float is decorated with richly designed and colored exotic textiles and lit paper lanterns.

Visiting Gion Matsuri 2024, Part 1

So you’re interested in visiting Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri 2024? Wonderful idea! Read on to ensure you have an enjoyable experience you’ll never forget.

You probably already know that the Gion

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Shinto, koi legend, dragon, Gion Festival, shrine, waterfall

The Koi Dragon Legend

The Gion Matsuri abounds with diverse mystical tales and historical legends. One, the koi dragon legend, describes how a humble carp or koi became a powerful dragon. Part ecology, part

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