Yasaka Shrine, nicknamed "Gion-san," is the site of the magnificent Gion Festival held every July. The "Kayanowa-mamori" is a mythical amulet that is awarded to pray for the repelling of disease and good health. Many people also look forward to the Gion Matsuri Festival fan, the design of which changes every year. This year, the year of the dragon, it features a motif of a blue dragon, one of the four gods, in reference to the legend that a blue dragon lives in a pond called Ryuketsu, located under the main hall of the shrine.

Rituals and Events/Detailsherecheck
Benefit / ward off bad luck, epidemics, etc.
Place of distribution / Yasaka Shrine awarding office
Distribution period / Monday, July 1, 2024 - Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 9:00 - 17:00
Initial fee: 800 yen for Kayonowa-mamori, 1,500 yen for Gion Festival fan
*Limited quantities (while supplies last)

The nagatohoko is the only float that carries a live child and stands at the head of the procession. The long sword is attached to the tip of the float as a symbol of exorcism against plague and evil. Seven types of tenugui (hand towels) are available, each depicting a scene from a ritual such as the cutting of a sacred straw rope or shimenawa, adding color to the festival.

Name of the float: Naginataboko
Hoko-kuri / July 10 (Wed.) to 12 (Fri.), 2024, 7:00 a.m. each day
Beginning of pulling / Friday, July 12, 2024, from 3:30 p.m.
Benefit / ward off bad luck and epidemics
Place of distribution: Choto-Hokoko-cho Kisho (East and West)
Distribution period / Saturday, July 13, 2024, 10:00-22:00; Sunday, July 14-16, 2024, 9:00-22:00
Distribution price: 500 yen for each tenugui hand towel
*Limited quantity (payment in cash only, while supplies last)

The Mantis is the only float with a moving praying mantis on top of the goshogawashi. The decorative fan features cute mantis and pop colors that give people hope, and is designed by Haneda Koubou, a hand-painted Kyoto yuzen artist. Although not a gift, the unique Omikuji lottery, in which the praying mantis rotates in accordance with the movement of the handle and receives the lottery number drawn, is also a must-see!

Name of the float: Mt.
Mountain Construction / Saturday, July 13, 2024, 8:00 a.m.
Beginning of pulling / Saturday, July 13, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
Benefit / ward off bad luck and epidemics
Place of distribution: Mantis Town Hall, Mantis Offering (Nishinotoin-dori, Shijo-agaru) for fortune-telling
Distribution period / July 14 (Sun.) to 16 (Tue.), 2024, 10:00 to 21:00
Distribution price / Decorated folding fans: 6,000 yen and 4,000 yen, Omikuji: 200 yen
*Limited quantity (payment in cash only)

The name "Guo Gao Shan" is derived from a legend in the Chinese historical tale "Twenty-four Filial Piety". The Yaku-yoke zongzi is accompanied by a koban, which is a lucky charm for money and business, named after the origin of the zongzi. The nyuko-no-mamori (charm of milk), which is named after the only decoration on the float called nyukakushi (concealment of milk), protects the mother's milk supply, which is a slightly unusual benefit.

Name of the float: Kakko-yama (Mt. Kakkyo)
Mountain Construction / Saturday, July 13, 2024, 7:00 a.m.
Benefit/good fortune, improved money, protection of mother's milk supply
Place of distribution: In front of the Kakkozan Town Hall andKakkosan Online Store
The distribution of milk charms is available only at the meeting place.
Distribution period (in front of the meeting hall)/July 14 (Sun.) to 16 (Tue.), 2024, 10:00-22:00
*Subject to change without notice due to weather and other factors.
Price: 1,000 yen for zongzi (dongzi) (with koban) to ward off evil spirits, 800 yen for nyunomiyamori (talisman for milk)

Hachimanzan], a beautifully crafted small shrine with all gold leaf stamping is perched on top of the mountain. Above the torii gate, two pigeons, messengers of the Hachiman God, are perched facing each other, a sign of conjugal bliss that has been worshipped to this day. The dove bells and flutes, with their cute, plump faces, are believed to be beneficial for preventing children from crying at night, and many people come to receive them.

Name of float: Hachiman-yama
Mountain construction / Saturday, July 20, 2024, early morning to around 4:00 p.m.
Benefit: Harmony between husband and wife, good health for children, and prevention of crying at night.
Place of distribution / Hachimanyama Town Hall
Distribution period / Sunday, July 21, 2024, 13:00-23:00; Monday and Tuesday, July 22 and 23, 2024, 9:00-23:00
*Starts as soon as distribution is ready, and ends as soon as stock runs out.
Distribution price / dove bell beans, small and medium sizes: 800 yen each, large size: 1,000 yen, dove flute: 1,000 yen
*Two colors: red and white.