Here is the map of "Yamaboko Flow Route"
Gion Matsuri is one of the three biggest Matsuri in Japan.
It takes place in Kyoto. It is a month long event, and it starts from 1st to 31st of July.
Schedule is here
01/07/09 Start of Gion Matsuri
02/07/09 "kujiiri" Event to choose which a pike goes first.
10/07/09 "Omukae Chouchin" Event of volunteers, usually kids, walk around Kyoto with Japanese lantern Chouchin. Starts around 4 in the evening til 9.
10/07/09-14/07/09 "Yamaboko" will be built and displayed.
13/07/09 "Chigo" a secrete child will visit Yasaka Shrine. Chigo is the only one who goes on the Hoko. Chigo for this year was elected. Chigo will be elected from the wealthy family in Kyoto, because it will costs 20thousand Yen(200tousand USD). Movie of Chigo election.
14/07/09-16/07/09 The light up of "Yamaboko" and music will be played all over in kyoto
17/07/09 The climax of Gionmaturi. The Flow of "Yamaboko".
17/07/09 From 4 in the evening, ceremony at Yasaka shrine.
17/07/09 4 god's wagon will come back to Shijou after going around Kyoto.
24/07/09 Parade.
24/07/09 4 god's wagon will go back to Yasaka shrine
28/07/09 Takes one of the main god's wagon and baptize with holy water.
This is how Gion Matsuri will go.
If your are planing to visit Kyoto this summer, it is probably the best to visit on 17th on July. It is the climax of Gion Matsuri. But you should be aware of enormous crows of people. Many people form Japan and oversea comes to this event.
Better English description of Gion Masturi
Resource 1
Resource 2
