Big Day — Parade + City Change

Morning: Gion Matsuri Ato Matsuri parade, starting 9:30 AM. Afternoon: train to Osaka. Evening: Dotonbori street food. Pack the night before!

Morning — GION MATSURI (ATO MATSURI)

☀️ 9:30 AM — The Parade

Kyoto Hotel Check-out

Check out and store luggage at the hotel or a station coin locker. You're heading to Osaka after the parade.

Gion Matsuri Ato Matsuri — Yamaboko Junko

The "after" parade on July 24. Giant decorated floats (yamaboko) are pulled through the streets — a smaller, more intimate procession than the July 17 Saki Matsuri, with its own set of floats.

Route: The Ato Matsuri runs in the reverse direction of the earlier parade, along Karasuma and Shijo-dori

Our seats: Paid front-row grandstand — Block 15, South side, Row A, Seats 24–27 (Order 467885962). Find Block 15 and be seated a bit before 9:30 AM.

Start time: 9:30 AM parade

Heat tip: Bring water, fans, and sun protection — even a morning parade in July is hot. The grandstand may be in sun, so hats and a handheld fan help.

📍 Parade Area

Float Highlights

Each float has its own history and decorations. Some have tapestries from centuries ago!

Watch for:

• The musicians playing traditional instruments
• The turning maneuver (floats pivot on wet bamboo — incredible to watch)
• Float attendants in traditional costume

Afternoon

☀️ Afternoon — Travel to Osaka

Train to Osaka

After the parade ends (~noon), grab lunch near the station and catch the booked shinkansen to Shin-Osaka.

Booked: Nozomi 31 · Kyoto 14:25 → Shin-Osaka 14:39 (Jul 24) · 4 reserved seats — just 14 minutes!

Then: From Shin-Osaka, take the Midosuji subway line (~10 min) to your Namba-area hotel.

🚄 Kyoto → Shin-Osaka ⏱️ 14 min

Osaka Hotel Check-in

Head to the Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu (at Hommachi Station on the Midosuji line, central Chuo-ku), drop bags, freshen up.

Evening — DOTONBORI

🌙 Evening — Welcome to Osaka!

Dotonbori Street Food Tour

This is what Osaka is famous for! The neon-lit street along the canal is packed with food, energy, and fun.

Must-try foods:

• Takoyaki — Octopus balls (Osaka's signature)
• Okonomiyaki — Savory pancake
• Kushikatsu — Deep-fried skewers (no double-dipping!)
• Gyoza
• Cheesecake — Rikuro's jiggly cheesecake

📍 Dotonbori

Glico Running Man + Don Quijote

The famous neon sign — obligatory photo op! And Don Quijote (Donki) is the massive discount store with a ferris wheel on top. Great for random Japanese snacks, souvenirs, weird finds.

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Reservations

Gion Matsuri Ato Matsuri Seating — BOOKED

Paid front-row grandstand seats for the 9:30 AM July 24 parade. Block 15 · South side · Row A · Seats 24, 25, 26, 27 (4 together). Order No. 467885962 (registered under Thomas Gamble / +1 404-863-5754). Arrive early to find Block 15 and settle in before the start — bring water, fans, and sun protection.

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Osaka Vibe

Osaka is known for:

• Food — “Kuidaore” means “eat till you drop”
• Friendly locals — More outgoing than Tokyo
• Comedy — Japan’s humor capital
• Direct communication — Osakans are famously straightforward

Enjoy the energy shift from Kyoto!