Kawaramachi-dori St — Local services in Kyoto

Gion Matsuri is Kyoto’s most famous traditional festival, dating back to the year 869. Originally started to pray for protection during a plague, it now takes place every July with major events around Shijo Street, Kawaramachi, and Oike.

The highlights are two grand float parades on July 17 and 24, featuring beautifully decorated floats called Yamaboko — some up to 25 meters tall and weighing 12 tons. These moving art pieces are often called “museums on wheels.”

A key part of the tradition involves transferring the deity from Yasaka Shrine to a temporary site (on July 17) and then returning it (on July 24), symbolizing protection and blessings for the city.

The full two-parade format was brought back in 2014 after decades of being merged into one. Gion Matsuri is a living heritage, blending sacred rituals, spectacular craftsmanship, and Kyoto’s deep...

If you’re looking for a break from temples, shrines, and Kyoto’s scenic areas. Kawarachi is the place to go, offering all types of cafes, restaurants and shopping centres.

It is easy to get here with a 20 minute train ride and it’s even closer to the famous 八坂神社 once you’re done with...

Kawaramachi Street runs parallel to the west bank of the Kamo River on the eastern side of Kyoto, Japan. Its intersection with Shijō Street is called Shijō Kawaramachi and is a leading shopping district of the city. Both Shijō and Kawaramachi Street are protected with...