Doshisha Days

The largest and most famous festival in all of Japan hit swept through the streets of downtown Kyoto a week ago, shutting down traffic for three glorious nights and culminating in an extravagant parade that was marred by torrential rains as the rainy season finally hit Japan. The Gion Matsuri - a month long festival, the peak of which was the 14th throught 17th of July - was an impressive sight. Millions of people on the streets, drinking beer from convienience stores, eating food from street vendors, frolicking in their yukatas, cotton summer kimonos, amongst the traditional Hoko floats, which line both the main and side streets.
For someone who has spent many a day in downtown Kyoto, it felt quite liberating to be able to walk down the middle of the street with out having to worry about traffic. Of course, it was still slow going, people crowded around some of the Hoko, slowing things to a crawl at times. Still, quite the sight. Many of my friends donned yukatas as well, and I think everyone consumed their fair share of happoshu and a chu-hai.
The Gion Matsuri originated in the 9th century when people paraded through the streets in a effort ot court the Shinto gods to bring an end to a plague that was harming the city.
Basically, this needs to be seen to be believed, and so I will let photos do the rest of the talking for me. I should also state that there are some photos of the Hozugawa, north of Kyoto where friends and I went swimming. I can't recommend it enough...