There are many festivals held in Kyoto throughout the year but the Aoi Festival is a must see. The origin of the Aoi festival is said to be the ritual to pray for good harvests back in 567. Aoi means geranium and geranium leaves are believed to have powers to protect from earthquakes and lightning, as well as assure women of easy childbirth.

Today the procession is the reproduction of the imperial procession in the Heian era and is held every year on May 15th. The crew was lucky enough to be In Kyoto at this time to see the festival which is steeped in tradition and full of exquisite court costumes.

The imperial princess is the figurehead of the procession and is dressed in 12 layers of imperial robes. The procession is very precise with 511 participants 36 horses, four cows and two carriages.

Tens of thousands flock to line the one kilometer route from Kyoto Imperial Palace to the Shimagamo Shrine to look at this ancient spectacular procession. However, only the privileged few are allowed to watch the ceremony at the Kamigamo Shrine.

There are plenty of other festivals to experience whilst in Kyoto such as the Gion festival in July, the Gozan fire festival in August and the Jidai festival in October. For more information, visit www.jnto.org.au.