Despite the adverse impact on tourism due to H1N1, now Kyoto is energized once again with the start of Gion Festival. Same as previous years, yama and hoko floats are built along the street near our house.

Yesterday, at the Hoko Hikihajime & Yama Kakizome (trial pulling) event, Rey got his chance of pulling the hoko down the street. The hoko are impressively built to 2-storey high, and each of them include a music hall filled with musicians who make music using bells, whistles and drums. This trial pulling was open to public and thus we got a chance to haul the hokos. This hauling is to make sure the constructed floats are ready for the main parade on Friday.

If you watch the video, you can see the the hoko have long poles that has a decorative ornament. Usually, people are more interested in admiring the elaborate ceiling paintings and textiles are are said to be transported from Europe along the Silk Road.