News On Japan

Floats parade in Gion Festival in Kyoto

Jul 17 (NHK) - Spectators, including many tourists, enjoyed a parade of colorfully decorated floats at the annual Gion Festival in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto on Monday.

A total of 23 floats were paraded through the city. It's a highlight of the month-long summer festival.

The procession began when a child wearing an ancient costume and riding on the lead float cut a sacred rope.

Spectators applauded when the floats had to make right-angle turns. Groups of residents pulling the floats laid bamboo under the wheels to slide and turn them around.

About 222,000 people gathered along the route to see the procession.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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