The Kameoka Festival is a traditional festival held annually in Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, and is a major event with a history and culture deeply rooted in the community. Along with Kyoto’s Gion Festival, the Yamahoko Junko (float procession) is the highlight of this festival, attracting many tourists and locals alike.
History and Origin
The Kameoka Festival has a long history and originated from the belief in Kuhoyama Shrine, the guardian deity of Kameoka City. Huwayama Shrine is a place of prayer for the fertility of the land and the safety of the people, and is the center of local religious beliefs. The festival is also important as an event to give thanks to the gods for the bountiful autumn harvest.
Like Kyoto’s Gion Festival, this festival is characterized by the “Yamaboko Junko,” a procession of beautifully decorated, tall floats, called Yamaboko, which are pulled around the city. Yamaboko floats are dedicated to the town’s guardian deities, and each town takes pride in creating them, thus passing down craft techniques and traditions.
Schedule and Events
The Kameoka Festival is held annually in October, and the Yoimiya and Honsai in 2024 will be held from October 24 to 25.
For details, please refer to the official page of Kameoka Matsuri Yamaboko Event.
October 24: Yoimiya
The night before the festival, the 24th, is called Yoimiya, and the festival opens quietly. On this day, “Andon” floats are set up in each Yamahoko town, creating a fantastic atmosphere that envelops the town. One of the highlights of the festival is the sight of the soft light from the “Andon” illuminating the Yamahoko floats and enveloping the entire town in a warm glow.
In addition, the “Otabisho Matsuri” is held at the Otabisho of Katahara Shrine, where a ceremony is held to welcome the gods. Through this sacred ceremony, prayers are made for the safety of the community and a bountiful harvest.
October 25: Main Festival
On the following day, the 25th, the “Main Festival,” the highlight of the festival, is held. On this day, the “Yamaboko Junko (float procession)” will be held from around 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. throughout the old castle town. During the Yamaboko Junko, colorfully decorated floats move slowly through the town, recreating scenes from the good old days.
Especially around 11:00 a.m., the Yamahoko floats will gather at the Tabi-Ro-cho area, where the “Lottery Ceremony” will be held. This ceremony determines the order in which the floats will parade, and is an important event toward the climax of the festival.
In addition, the Kanko Matsuri will be held, and the entire Ujiko-machi area will be filled with the festival colors. In the afternoon, the “Mikoshi Oyamairi” (portable shrine entering the mountain) is held at the Hukayama Shrine, where a grand ceremony is held to see the return of the portable shrine to the Hukayama Shrine. This ceremony has a symbolic meaning that the gods return to the town and once again protect the community.
Highlights
The highlight of the Kameoka Festival is the Yamaboko procession. The gorgeous floats are made by local craftsmen who have combined their skills and traditions over the years, and their beauty and attention to detail are a sight to behold. During the procession, each town competes with the others to display their floats, attracting spectators with their power and splendor.
Also not to be missed are the lighting of the dondon (paper lanterns) at Yoimiya, and the Otabisho Matsuri and Kanko Matsuri, where sacred rituals are performed. These ceremonies remind us of the connection between the gods and the community, and are moments when we can feel the weight of history and tradition.
Furthermore, the fact that the festival takes place in the entire old castle town of Kameoka is also attractive. By experiencing traditional events that have continued since ancient times in this area where the historical townscape still remains, visitors can feel the depth and flavor of the Kameoka Festival even more.
The Kameoka Festival is a precious event that carries on the traditions and culture of the region to the present day. The festival, with its spectacular Yamahoko-junko procession and sacred rituals performed in the clear autumn air, is a moving experience for visitors and an important milestone in the year for local residents. Please visit the Kameoka Festival again this year and experience its charm firsthand.
Both Yoimiya and the main festival are very tasteful, and we hope you will stay in Kameoka and enjoy both days.
It takes about 5 minutes by car or less than 30 minutes by foot from Kiri no Kōbō to the main venue, the castle town.
We look forward to seeing you all there.