- 14 Mar 2002
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The head priest of Yasaka-jinja is considering stepping down from the Kyoto City Tourism Association due to a disagreement over the association's decision to offer alcohol and food to tourists purchasing VIP seats for the renowned Gion Festival. He expressed that the festival is a sacred Shinto ceremony aimed at suppressing illnesses, not an event to be enjoyed with drinks and meals. The Gion Festival, celebrated in July in Kyoto, is one of Japan's top three festivals. As a member of the association's board, Nomura opposed the recent initiative to sell exclusive seats for the Yamahoko parade, which last year were priced at 400,000 JPY (approximately USD2,530), including alcohol and local cuisine.
Controversy Hits Kyoto’s Famed Gion Festival over High-Priced Spectator Seats; Shrine’s Chief Priest Says Festival is ‘Ritual,’ not ‘Show’
<p>KYOTO — A conflict over the selling of “premium seats” for Kyoto’s famed Gion Festival has led the chief priest of the shrine that puts on the festival to consider resigning from his seat on the board of directors of the Kyoto City Tourism Association, it has been learned.</p>