The Aoi Matsuri (葵祭), or "Hollyhock Festival", is one of the three main annual festivals held in Kyoto, Japan, the other two being the Festival of the Ages and the Gion Festival. It is a festival of the two Kamo shrines in the north of the city, Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine. The festival may also be referred to as the Kamo Festival. It is held on 15 May of each year.
The Aoi Matsuri procession, departing in front of Kyoto Imperial Palace's main gate Kenreimon (建礼門)
Man carrying a hollyhock float
The Saiō-Dai carried in her palanquin
The Saiō-Dai and her retinue
Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions often celebrated with dance and music in Japan. Many festivals have their roots in traditional Chinese festivals, and some ultimately originate in India, but have undergone extensive changes over time to have little resemblance to their original form, despite sharing the same name and date. There are also various local festivals that are mostly unknown outside a given prefecture.
Big Mikoshi "Yatai" Parade on Miki Autumn Harvest Festival in Miki, Hyogo
Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto
Gion Matsuri in Kyoto
Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka