The Yamaboko Junko (Float Procession) on July 17 and 24 is the climax of Gion Matsuri โ one of Japan's three greatest festivals. Thirty-three enormous floats (some 30 m tall, weighing 12 tonnes) built without nails using traditional joinery are pulled through Kyoto's streets by hundreds of men in white, accompanied by the haunting 'Conchita' festival music.
Japan's most famous festival โ the entire month of July in Kyoto, culminating in the Yamaboko Junko parade on July 17 when 32 enormous tapestry-draped floats rumble through the city centre.
November is Kyoto's most spectacular month โ maple foliage frames every temple, shrine, and garden in crimson and gold. Eikando, Tofukuji, and Arashiyama are the top viewing spots.
The 'Festival of Ages' on October 22 โ a 2 km procession of 2,000 people in historical costumes spanning every era of Japanese history from the Meiji period back to the Heian court.
One of Kyoto's three great festivals โ an elegant procession of 500 people in Heian-period court costume from the Imperial Palace to Kamigamo and Shimogamo Shrines on May 15.
The historic stone-paved lanes of Higashiyama are lined with hundreds of bamboo lanterns for two weeks each March โ a magical night-walk experience past illuminated temples and traditional shops.
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