The weather was hot and fine today and the Yamaboko Junko (float procession) was held for the first time in three years. I was very impressed by the crowd and the procession, which I had not seen in a long time.

Yamaboko is assembled without nails, using only ropes and wedges.

Twenty-three floats made the parade today.

The ground was full of bamboo that’s cut into thin strips.

The wheels of the floats are placed on these bamboos, using the smooth surface of the bamboos to reduce friction and change the direction of the floats.

May we see the Gion Festival again next year.

I also hope that those who are reading this blog now will be able to visit Kyoto soon.