Kyoto's Gion Festival Held Amid Ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic

KYOTO, JAPAN - JULY 16: A float decorated with lanterns is pictured during the Gion festival on July 16, 2021 in Kyoto, Japan. The Yamahoko float processions are held during the Kyoto's Gion Matsuri Festival, one of the three biggest festivals in Japan. This is second year of the Yamahoko float processions have been canceled and the entire Gion festival scaled down due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, decorated floats will take part in the Yojiyama lantern illuminated event, scheduled to take place over a reduced time scale until 7pm in the streets of Kyoto, continuing the Gion festival tradition for the next generation. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)