S/ Nomura Akiyoshi, Chief priest, Yasaka Shrine / The issue has arisen amid gaps between administrators and the shrine. I have felt that this is not how people can feel divinity through festivals.

A Shinto shrine that stages the Gion Festival, a major Japanese summer event in Kyoto, questioned the premium seats set up for some spectators starting last year.

The Kyoto City Tourism Association offered the seats located at a prime viewing spot for the float parade at 400,000 yen each in 2023.

The ticket came with meals and alcoholic beverages.

Yasaka Shrine's chief priest was apparently not happy with the setup.

Nomura told a press conference on June 20 that the Gion Festival is not a show but rather a Shinto ritual.

He said it should not be mixed with food and alcohol.

He even considered resigning from the board of the tourism association over the matter.

The association said the high seat price takes into consideration securing a new source of revenue for carrying on the festival which was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

It lowered the price for this year's premium seats to 150,000 yen each without offering food.

Officials of the tourism association who also attended the press conference said they will offer only soft drinks this year.

The annual Gion Festival is held in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto for the whole month of July.