Popularity Shinto shrine Yasaka Gion Matsuri festival brought - one of the oldest in Japan. The festival, which prepared a month, held in July. On the day of the meeting of the city is moving a large procession, consisting of chariots and palanquins. Sitting in the audience they throw bundles of straw wrapped in bamboo leaves, which symbolize the wishes of good health for the whole year.

This holiday has its origins in the year 869, when the streets of Kyoto, on the orders of the emperor were exposed Mikos - portable shrine. And in front of the temple, which was then called regions, it has been exposed 66 halberds on the number of Japanese provinces. All of this was to protect the capital and the whole country from the plague. Surprisingly, these measures have worked, and the plague has receded. In gratitude, the people took to the streets. Gion Matsuri festival served as a prototype festivals held in other towns, and sometimes even kept its name.

Yasaka Shrine is also known as Yasaka-Jinja shrine and Gionskoy. Gion - Kyoto area, which houses the temple from the XV century, has a reputation as the entertainment district - there are teahouses and kabuki theater, and restaurants where you can dine in the geisha community. Not far from the church is a park Maruyama.

Construction of the temple began in 656 in honor of the Buddhist saint Gozo Tenno, and at the end of X century Emperor Ichijo said the sanctuary in the list of the most important shrines in which they were at the time only about two dozen.

The main building of the temple was erected in the traditional architectural style of Gion in 1654. Its official name was the temple in 1868. The temple complex includes several buildings, gate, main hall and a stage for performances and rituals. In the evening and at night a lot of lanterns illuminate the temple, which is usually placed the names of the donors supporting their funds sanctuary. Locals believe that the prayers in the temple Yasaka bring happiness and help get rid of the disease.