Traditional summer festival held in the Senzaki district

Today (Sunday, July 20), the portable shrine parade and dance performances on floats were held as part of the 2025 Senzaki Gion Festival.

Mikoshi (portable shrine), whale songs, fair

Around 16:00 p.m., the portable shrines depart from Yasaka Shrine and parade through various locations in the Senzaki district. A prayer of congratulation is offered in front of the house or group that has dedicated the tamagushi (skewer).

Afterwards, from 18:00, local elementary school students performed a traditional local "whale song" in front of Yasaka Shrine. At the same time, a fair began in the precincts of the shrine.

Children dancers" dance on floats

From 7:00 p.m., a Japanese dance dedication will be held on a float set up in front of the shrine.

The Japanese dance was performed by local "child maiko" (apprentice maiko). They danced in turns for about an hour, interspersing musical performances in between.

In addition, local boys stand in front of the floats to "guard" them and call out during the intervals of the dance.

As dusk turned to night, the dancing continued in an increasingly magical atmosphere.

On Saturday the 26th, there will also be a fair, dancing, and a Japanese drum performance.

Related Links

Senzaki Gion Festival Event Page