The day was dedicated to traditional Kyoto festivals.
By late morning, we went to Kyoto Imperial Park to the Jidai matsuri were a large parade is organized, with participants dressed in period costume, presented by historical period.
If the reconstruction seems to me very successful and attracts a lot of people, it’s not a very fun festival: this is not the Nice carnival, there are no party favors or music, no dancing, no party like we have seen in other matsuri. Everything is very solemn. Besides, it is almost a military parade.
We then climbed up Kurama by metro and bus, then walked for the last kilometer (after the Fushimi Inari, nothing can scares us) for the Fire Festival: people make large torches they walk in the streets to attract good fortune. Again, I have not found that there was a festive atmosphere, and then the festivities take place for the people who prepare their torches, getting ready for the parade, pass a special family time. All participants from outside are outsiders.
Kurama is a small village and the train and bus suddenly pour a flood of tourists and curious Kyotoites (and the more cautious and warned came with their snacks, because there is not a single hut for fries ). A pedestrian traffic loop is realized in the village, so that people can move and see the various torches, fixed or worn. Much of the walk though is away from all the events. It was a little like queuing for hours in a dense crowd.
I especially felt to be there like a hair in the soup, in a local and family celebration. And were a bundle of hair.
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