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Lanterns light up the main street of Kyoto as crowds take in the pre-parade atmosphere.
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Musicians play inside a float on the day of the parade.
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A stall selling fans and other festival goods alongside the main street of Shinmachi-dōri, with the Minami Kannon Yama visible in the background.
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Musicians making their journey to the center of the city; they will not return to their district until after midnight.
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The Kita Kannon Yama float pulled by men in white haori jackets; others, wearing blue jackets, ensure the float is headed in the right direction. There are also people stationed on the roofs to make sure that the float, which is more than 20 meters high, does not become entangled with power lines.
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Dolls are carried on Kakkyo Yama (left) and Hoka Hoko (center) floats; the Fune Hoko float is shaped like a boat (right).
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The procession moving along Shijō-dōri.
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Kita Kannon Yama float turns the corner.
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A maiko (apprentice geisha) dressed in a yukata enjoying the festivities.
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The mikoshi carrying the Susanoo-no-Mikoto deity leaves Yasaka Shrine (left); the mayor of Kyoto delivers a speech in front of the three mikoshi (right).
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The floats are richly ornamented.
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Folding screens on display (left); tourists gather around a work of art (right).
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