Gion festival there

The occasion to go to Kyoto's center, Shijo-street, becomes less frequent these days. But still go there occasionally. And at this time of the year, humidity and temperature is quite uncomfortable in Kyoto, especially in central Kyoto. There is no skyscrapers in Kyoto, but buildings of 6 floors or 7 floors are concentrated in these area so that heat island phenomenon makes there hotter. And so does Gion festival, which officially continues from July 1st to July 31st. But the most atmospheric period is the nights from 14th to 16th, which correspond to pre-, pre-pre-, pre-pre-pre nights of the main event. Main events takes place on 17th, but I have seen the main event only once in my life even though I have been living in Kyoto. Gondolas are pulled by volunteers and move through main streets. That's the festival of old days, which was organized by emperor(or nobles?) to expel the evil spirit and bad wether from the capital. It may be interesting, but not much for modern people. But pre- nights forces streets pedestrians only and many stalls are there to sell anything from standard skewed chicken, fried noodles, to raw cucumber. That's the festival of modern times. Old or modern, this festival has history of 1000 or so years.

One of  gondolas of Gion festival on Shijo street