KYOTO--City authorities gave the green light July 10 to begin work on constructing massive, decorative floats for the annual Gion Festival--even though the climactic processions are now canceled ...

The parade’s organizer, the Gion Festival Yamahoko Association, based in Kyoto’s Nakagyo Ward, made the decision on April 20 at a meeting with 34 local float-preservation associations.

Kyoto's famous festival held in July, the Gion Festival, features yamahoko floats. Lanterns that will decorate places such as the floats are being made. A shop in Kyoto plans to produce about ...

one of the climaxes of the monthlong Gion Festival. He will cut a sacred straw rope with a sword to commence the procession. (Japanese original by Yuki Ohigashi, Kyoto Bureau) ...