In Kyoto, tourists flock to the picturesque Gion district to glimpse Geisha clip-clopping along cobbled streets. It's one of the most photographed parts of the ancient capital. But now the people ...

KYOTO--Tourism officials here are offering premium seats for 400,000 yen ($2,870) each that provide an up-close view of the traditional Gion Festival’s massive float parade on July 17.

Core Kyoto narrator Gary Tegler gets a close-up look at the Gion Matsuri, which began over 1,000 years ago, as he unravels the mystery of the decorations and meets the foreign volunteers.

In Gion, the neighborhood at the heart of Kyoto old town sightseeing, dining, shopping and even geisha spotting, this hotel puts guests in the center of the action. Subway and train stations are ...