Popular Annual Event 'Gion Festival (Daimaru) Summer Festival' to Be Held at Daimaru Kyoto Store! <July 2026>

Experience the majestic dragon head up close.

Exhibition of the 'Oyamaboko Ryūtō' and Eiichi Shiotani's 'Shōkōryū (Seiryū)' – until Sunday, July 12

July 1 (Wed) – July 12 (Sun): Oyamaboko Ryūtō

July 13 (Mon) – July 31 (Fri): Takiotosha Shrine Wooden Dragon Head

1st Floor, Show Window next to Shijo Main Entrance

The golden Oyamaboko dragon head and the wooden dragon head from Takiotosha Shrine—used as a reference for reconstruction—will be displayed alternately.

This year, Eiichi Shiotani's dragon painting 'Shōkōryū (Seiryū)' will also be on special display until Sunday, July 12!

Eiichi Shiotani's 'Shōkōryū (Seiryū)' – until Sunday, July 12

'Shōkōryū (Seiryū)' – A Pair

Artist: Eiichi Shiotani

Materials: Japanese fabric, natural indigo, gold leaf, silver leaf, gofun (white pigment)

On June 18, 2026, a symbolic dragon painting was donated to the Shijo Oyamaboko Preservation Society, marking a new era of revival.

Created by renowned dragon artist Eiichi Shiotani, 'Shōkōryū (Seiryū)' carries dual meanings: 'The dragon ascending to the heavens symbolizes the strength to rebuild; the dragon descending to earth represents prayers to protect the city.' This artwork becomes a new emblem connecting Oyamaboko's history of recovery with its future.

After the exhibition at Daimaru Kyoto, the painting will be displayed as night festival decoration at the Oyamaboko headquarters.

Oyamaboko Ryūtō – until Sunday, July 12

Exhibition of the 'Oyamaboko Ryūtō'

The Oyamaboko float leads the procession in the Gion Festival's Yamaboko Junko parade. Its tip is adorned with this dragon head every two years.

Originally crafted around 1800 based on a sketch by Matsumura Goshun, the dragon head and float were lost in the 1864 Genji fire.

In 2014, after 150 years, the Oyamaboko was revived. In 2016, the dragon head was restored thanks to a donation from Takiotosha Shrine.

Then, in 2020, as part of a restoration project, it was refinished with lacquer and gold leaf to match its original appearance.

Takiotosha Shrine Dragon Head – July 13 (Mon) to July 31 (Fri)

'Gion Festival (Daimaru) Summer Festival'

July 1 (Wed) – July 24 (Fri), 2026

Daimaru Kyoto Store, all floors

* Exhibition and sales periods vary by department and product.

36 Types of Traditional Festival Sweets (Chimaki) on Display

July 1 (Wed) – July 24 (Fri)

1st Floor, Special Exhibition Space in front of Information Desk

A total of 36 types of Chimaki (rice dumplings) will be displayed, including 34 varieties distributed by different Yamaboko neighborhoods, plus those from the Sanjakumikoshi Association and the Yamaboko Federation. *Not available for distribution at the store.

Festival Spirit with a Pop Touch

Kyoto textile brand SOU・SOU (Sou-Sou)

SOU・SOU's vibrant designs inspired by the Gion Festival will enliven the store windows and interior.

Exclusive Gion Festival-themed textile designs, available only at Daimaru Kyoto, feature popular SOU・SOU patterns such as 'Hohoemi' (Smile), 'Kikuzukushi' (Chrysanthemum), and 'Kinpaku Donsu' (Gold Brocade), along with new motifs inspired by Kyoto and the festival: 'Sensu' (Fan), 'Hanten' (Festival Coat), and 'Kyō no Yūga' (Elegance of Kyoto).

Underground Passage Window

Underground Passage Window

Fan

Inspired by the fan carried at the front of the Gion Festival procession, which guides the way and shapes the rhythm of the festival.

Hanten (Festival Coat)

A design depicting the traditional festival garment, evoking the feeling of becoming part of the celebration when worn.

Kyō no Yūga (Elegance of Kyoto)

A design capturing the refined elegance of Kyoto's ancient capital, the Gion district, and the graceful movements of traditional dance.

These six designs will feature Gion Festival floats (Naginata Boko, Kankoku Boko, Kikusui Boko, Tsuki Boko) moving through them—an exclusive design only available at Daimaru Kyoto.

Don’t miss taking photos in front of the showcase decorated with SOU・SOU’s most popular 'SO-SU-U' pattern!

SOU・SOU POP-UP SHOP on the 4th Floor!

SOU・SOU POP-UP SHOP

July 8 (Wed) – July 21 (Tue)

4th Floor, Koyomigoyomi

For more details: https://www.daimaru.co.jp/kyoto/topics/pop-up_sousou.html

100% cotton canvas tote bags featuring SOU・SOU’s iconic 'SO-SU-U' textile pattern. The hand-drawn pop numbers have borderless appeal. A practical, basic bag perfect as a gift.

PROMOTION Canvas Tote

S size: ¥1,180 (tax included), M size: ¥1,380 (tax included), L size: ¥1,580 (tax included)

Lamicros Tote: ¥880 (tax included)

Charming Festival Goods

July 1 (Wed) – July 24 (Fri)

1st Floor, Special Exhibition Space in front of Information Desk

Festival-themed items such as goshuin books and tenugui towels perfect for enjoying the Yamaboko巡行!

'Maiden's Gion Festival'

Goshuin Book (Red) – 'Hana Musubi': ¥2,750 (tax included)

Tenugui Towel 'Yamaboko Meguri': ¥1,210 (tax included)

Acrylic Keychain: ¥880 (tax included)

Masking Tape: ¥715 (tax included)

Mini Uchiwa Fan: ¥660 (tax included)

Items wrapped in hand-stenciled Yuzen paper, dyed one by one using the traditional 'te-nazeme' technique, available in three colors. Gold, silver, and neon vividly reflect the festival’s vibrancy and beauty.

'Shougadou'

Goshuin Book: ¥3,080 (tax included)

Japanese-bound Memo: ¥440 (tax included)

Japanese-bound Memo A6: ¥990 (tax included)

Yuzen Fan: ¥2,200 (tax included)

Handcrafted with decorative techniques honed through decades of paper product manufacturing.

'Box Hishida'

Naginata Boko: ¥8,800 (tax included)

Komagata Chochin Lantern: ¥4,400 (tax included)

Cool glassware with designs of festival floats, hand-painted using traditional Kyoto ceramic techniques. Delicately illustrated with a feminine touch.

'Waran'

Kyoto Colored Glass Free Cup

[Right] Naginata Boko: ¥4,400 (tax included) [Center] Oyamaboko: ¥4,400 (tax included) [Left] Yoiyama: ¥4,400 (tax included)

From Kyoto to the World: Japanese Traditional Culture

Weekdays, 10:00–18:00 (Closed 12:00–13:00)

6th Floor, Atelier Japan Daimaru Kyoto

Yuzen color paper featuring Gion Festival motifs. An original design created using 'Kata-Yuzen' stencil dyeing, a specialty of 'Chiso'. A stencil is made for each color, and artisans hand-print each sheet using the 'te-nazeme' (hand-stenciling) technique. The soft texture and vivid pigments bring traditional kimono patterns to life.

Chiso

Gion Festival Yuzen Color Paper

Large: 24×27cm, ¥3,960 (tax included)

Small: 12×14cm, ¥1,760 (tax included)

Square plates depicting the Gion Festival Yamaboko procession in the whimsical world of Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga (Animal-Human Caricatures). Humorous scenes of rabbits and frogs playing, painted by Kyoto ceramic master Hirofumi Shaku. A tableware piece expressing the wish for a lively, joyful life.

Kyoto Ceramics 'Hakuzan Kiln'

Gion Festival Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga Square Plate: ¥8,800 (tax included)

*Due to hand-painted designs, actual products may differ from images. Please understand.

Deliciously Sweet Festival Treats

July 1 (Wed) – July 24 (Fri)

Basement Floor, Food Hall 'Gochisou Paradise'

A traditional festival confectionery passed down through the Gion Festival: sweet white miso wrapped in mochi, coated with crushed ice sugar, skewered with bamboo sticks, and sold in sets of three.