People take photos with a float during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 23, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

People watch a decorated float during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 24, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

People watch a float illuminated by lanterns during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 23, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A float is illuminated by lanterns during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 23, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

People watch a decorated float during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 24, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A float is illuminated by lanterns during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 23, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A float is illuminated by lanterns during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 23, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

People watch a float illuminated by lanterns during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 23, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

People watch a decorated float during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 24, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

People watch a decorated float during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 24, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

People wait to board a float during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 23, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A float is illuminated by lanterns during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 23, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A decorated float is seen during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan, on July 24, 2024. The Gion Festival, which lasts throughout the entire month of July, is an annual traditional festival in Kyoto. It originated in 869 when a plague broke out in Kyoto. To pray for peace and the elimination of the disease, a grand festival was held. This festival gradually evolved into an annual fixed event and has continued to this day. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)