Controversy Hits Kyoto's Famed Gion Festival over High-Priced Spectator Seats; Shrine's Chief Priest Says Festival is ‘Ritual,’ not ‘Show’

KYOTO — A conflict over the selling of “premium seats” for Kyoto’s famed Gion Festival has led the chief priest of the shrine that puts on the festival to consider resigning from his seat on the board of directors of the Kyoto City Tourism Association, it has been learned.