【祇園祭2026・後祭】遅刻して山鉾巡行を追ったら…“最難関の辻回し”に遭遇

The Gion Festival is one of Kyoto’s most iconic summer traditions. On July 24, we went to see the Yamahoko Float Procession of the Later Festival—but we were completely late. Worried that the procession might already be over, we started chasing the floats from Shijo-Karasuma through the streets of Kyoto. Fortunately, we managed to see several famous floats, including Takayama, Ofune-hoko, Kita Kannon-yama, and Minami Kannon-yama. Then, after the official procession had ended, we witnessed something completely unexpected. The enormous Takayama float attempted to enter an extremely narrow street. With utility poles and buildings only inches away, the crew repeatedly moved the float forward and backward while carefully adjusting the direction of its massive wooden wheels. Watching such a huge float being controlled entirely by human strength and traditional craftsmanship was truly incredible. Filmed in temperatures reaching 39°C, this video captures the real atmosphere, excitement, and behind-the-scenes challenges of Kyoto’s Gion Festival. Please like the video and subscribe to THE KYOTO for more authentic experiences from Kyoto. Comments in any language are welcome! Let us know what you thought in your own language. 【Chapters】 00:00 Opening — We’re Completely Late 03:18 Chasing the Yamahoko Floats 07:02 Finding Takayama 10:33 Ofune-hoko Appears 12:34 What Happens After the Procession? 15:15 Takayama Starts Moving 17:41 Ofune-hoko, the Final Float 26:52 Takayama’s Tsujimawashi Turn 34:20 Can This Giant Float Enter the Narrow Street? 40:31 Finally Successful 44:09 Ending #Kyoto #GionFestival #GionMatsuri #Yamahoko #JapanTravel #KyotoTravel #Takayama #OfuneHoko #Tsujimawashi