In the festival’s parade, ladies dressed in the ceremonial court robes and men in traditional costumes ride on ox carriages decorated with wisteria leaves (normally used by noblemen in the Heian period). There are 36 horses, 4 oxen, 2 ox carriages, 1 mikoshi ,and over 500 people forming the Imperial procession, making it one of the most elaborate and colorful Continue reading «Aoi Matsuri (葵祭) in the Old Heian Capital of Japan, Kyoto!»

We visited Shimogamo Shrine on the same day as we did Kamigamo, since they both had festivals and are twin temples. The shrine is situated slightly more down towards the city in a beautiful forest with majestic trees that would make you think it would be an enjoyable place to visit in the summer. There is a torii leading to Continue reading «Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto, Japan!»