The shrine was built on the current site 794 years before the capital was moved to Kyoto from Nara. When an epidemic broke out in 869, an event was held to pray to the God of Yasaka Shrine, hoping to end the unfortunate situation. This later become one of Japan’s three biggest festivals – the Gion Festival. The month-long Gion Festival is held at Yasaka Shrine in July annually, the highlight of the festival is the Yamahoko-Junko parade (also known as a”moving museum”) held on the 17th and 24th.
