Aoi Matsuri Festival, May 15

During the Aoi Matsuri Festival, Kyoto is turned into an illustrated handscroll with the colourful parade and spring foliage. A festival originating from Kamigamo and Shimogamo shrines, the Aoi Matsuri is one of the three great festivals of Kyoto, along with the Gion and Jidai (time period) festivals. Officially called the "Kamo Matsuri", the festival is known for the colourful parade in Heian period costumes. But this event was originally a rite observed by members of the Heian aristocracy.

As the name suggests, everyone from the parade figures and animals to the shrines along the way are decorated with aoi (hollyhock flowers). The parade route starts at the Old Imperial Palace, moves to Shimogamo Shrine then ends at Kamigamo Shrine in northwest Kyoto. The procession involves some 500 people and can stretch one kilometre. The highlight is Saio-dai's palanquin, the heroine of the festival who serves as an attendant for the two shrines. One special girl is chosen each year to take this prestigious role.

With the Aoi Festival, Kyotoites mark the coming of summer. Please come and see this festival for  yourself!

５月１５日（日）

京都の新緑を彩る平安絵巻♬

上賀茂神社と下鴨神社の例祭である葵祭が行われます。葵祭と祇園祭、時代祭の三つを「京都三大祭」といいます。葵祭りは正式には「賀茂祭」といわれ、平安後期の優雅な王朝装束行列で知られていますが、もとは朝廷行事で貴族の祭りでした。

参列者をはじめ、社殿から牛馬まで葵の葉で飾るのがしきたりです。京都御所から下鴨神社を経て上賀茂神社へと向かいます。斎王代（葵祭のヒロイン、斎王の代役なので斎王代と呼ばれ上賀茂神社と下鴨神社に奉仕する女性のことです）の腰輿（およよ）を含む行列は総勢500人を超え、長さは1キロにも及びます。また、行列当日までには上賀茂・下鴨両社にてさまざまな前儀が行われます。

是非、この機会に京都へお越し下さいませ♬