Aizu Tajima Gion Festival (Gionsai)
Witness grand beauty during one of Japan’s three great Gion festivals
With a history spanning more than 800 years, this great summer festival is a testament to Japan’s reverence for the most beautiful traditions.
Overview
Recognized as one of the three great Gion festivals, along with the Hakata Gion Yamakasa in Fukuoka and the Kyoto Gion, Aizu’s Tajima Gion is a celebration not only of matrimonial beauty, but over 800 years of processional tradition. The Aizu Tajima Gion, affectionately known as the Gionsai, is an annual festival that takes place from the 22nd to the 24th of July. Guests of the Gionsai can experience not only the general comradery and creativity of a Japanese summer festival, but also the unique aspects that truly make this celebration one of the great three! Owing to this uniqueness, the Gionsai has been designated as an important intangible folk cultural asset, cementing its legendary status.
Nanahokai (seven vessels) Gyoretsu
The highlight of the Gionsai is the Nanahokai (seven vessels) Gyoretsu, a procession of women adorned in traditional wedding kimono. In the early morning of July 23rd, crowds line the streets of Aizu town as these beautifully clothed women are escorted to the Tadeuga and Kumano shrines, carrying with them sacred offerings.
Traditional Kabuki
In the evenings, children perform traditional kabuki plays atop elaborate floats, retelling tales that have been passed down from century to century. These floats are pulled by locals, epitomizing the Gionsai’s integral connection to the community that has performed it for close to a millennium.
Mikoshi Procession
One further highlight, a staple of Japanese summer festivities, is the Mikoshi procession. Along with the Nanahokai offerings, a deity is carried through the streets, with prayers of prosperity and good health being offered for the months ahead. The charm of the Gionsai is surely derived from its marriage of centuries-old Japanese custom and present-day festival fare, ensuring that guests of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the rhythm of the processions!
Phone number
+81-241-62-3000
Contact
Minamiaizu Town Tourism and Product Association
Business hours
Annually held from July 22 to 24