The audience views Gion Festival’s “yamahoko” float parade from the premium seats in 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Kyoto City Tourism Association)
KYOTO — Tickets to view the parade of large “yamahoko” floats from premium seats during this summer’s Gion Festival will go on sale beginning May 20, the Kyoto City Tourism Association announced April 15.
For the third consecutive year, special seats will be set up in front of Kyoto City Hall, where the Kawaramachi and Oike streets intersect, to allow a view of the iconic “tsuji-mawashi” turn. The tickets will be sold at 150,000 yen (about $1,050) per seat — retaining the same price as last year following a review of “high added value” services.
Last year, the chief priest at Yasaka Shrine, which hosts the traditional festival, raised objections against offering alcohol and meals at the premium seats. In response, the tourism association decided against serving alcohol beverages and meals to onlookers after the tickets went on sale. Only soft drinks like water, tea and juice will be offered, as well as buffet-style meals at the Hotel Okura Kyoto, like last summer.
Premium seats are available only for the festival’s “Saki-matsuri” (early festival) float procession on July 17, for those who wish to observe the floats change direction up-close. Last summer, the first row was set aside as a “freely usable space” to make it easier for people to take photos, and 60 seats in the second and third rows, with parasols to shade onlookers, were sold. Of the 60 premium seats on offer, 56 were used.
A concept of the premium seats for the 2025 Gion Festival is seen. (Photo courtesy of the Kyoto City Tourism Association)
This summer, 60 seats will be installed in the same Japanese-style setting, and 12 seats will be newly installed on the west side of the first row with simple chairs and desks. Since there is nothing to block the sun, each of these simple seats will be sold at 120,000 yen (around $840). “The western side of the space wasn’t being utilized, and we hope to make good use of it. While they (the premium seats) didn’t sell out last year, we believe there’s enough demand given the many inquiries we’ve had,” a tourism association official said.
In 2024, seats for a special viewing and boarding of the “Kanko hoko” float on the day before the Saki-matsuri procession were sold for 200,000 yen (roughly $1,400) each. All 20 seats were sold out, but in an effort to offer a more flexible, high-added-value experience, tickets will be offered to allow participation in the tour without having to purchase the premium seats.
On top of viewing the “Kanko hoko” float, the tour includes a visit to Yasaka Shrine and is limited to 20 people for 70,000 yen (approx. $490). A representative of the association said, “We made a big decision to consult Yasaka Shrine to have it considered. We are mindful about (properly) sharing information with them.”
Among the paid seats, “general seats” and “learning seats” as well as newly introduced fan-equipped “breeze seats,” will be available for purchase starting June 3. Prices for popular front-row general seats and learning seats will increase to 6,600 yen (some $50) and 11,500 yen (about $80), respectively — up 500 to 600 yen from the previous year. The new breeze seats will cost 13,500 yen (around $90) each regardless of seating position.
(Japanese original by Yoko Minami, Kyoto Bureau)
AloJapan.com