The
Japanese archipelago, for the most part, belongs to the temperate zone
and its climate is characterized by four distinct seasonal changes.
This climatic feature has long been a great source of enjoyment. Above
all, the festivals of Japan may well be one of the country's greatest
sources of enjoyment. Festivals take place virtually every day throughout
the year, somewhere in Japan. Listed here are only some examples of
major Japanese festivals from a list that is almost uncountable.
SPRING -The plum and cherry trees burst into bloom
From the first days of March, when flowering plum blossoms debut, to
the last days of May, when the last flowering cherry blossoms fall from
the trees of northern Japan, spring is a time for rebirth in the name
of nature and human celebration throughout the land.
Springtime in Japan literally means flowers, in a stunningrainbow panoply
of varieties and shapes. Particularly plentiful are blossoms of camellia,
iris, lotus and mustard. Numerous flower festivals are everywhere.
Festivals and Events
March 1-14 Omizutori or Water-Drawing Festival of Todaiji Temple,
Nara. A solemn rite performed in the flickering light of pine torches
reaches its peak on the night of the 12th.
March 3 Hina Matsuri or Doll Festival throughout the country.
Festival for girls celebrated at home by decorating and displaying miniature
dolls.
March 13 Kasuga Matsuri (Festival) of Kasuga Shrine in Nara stages
a 1,OOO-year-old classic dance.
Mid-March (for 15 days) Second Sumo Tournament, Osaka.
April 1-30 Miyako Odori or Cherry Dance, Kyoto. Japanese dances
presented by "Maiko" apprentice entertainers.
April 8 Hana Matsuri or Floral Festivals in all Buddhist temples,
in commemoration of Buddha's birthday.
April 14-15 Takayama Matsuri of Hie Shrine in Takayama, with
a parade of gorgeous floats.
April 16-17 Yayoi Matsuri of Futarasan Shrine in Nikko, featuring
a parade of decorated floats.
May 3-4
Hakata Dontaku in Fukuoka features a parade of legendary gods on horseback.
May 3-5 Kite Battles, in Hamamatsu. Competitors fly huge kites
to try and cut strings of their opponents' kites.
May 5 Children's Day throughout the country. Noted for colorful
flying carp streamers rippling in the spring wind.
May 11 Cormorant fishing on the Nagara River, Gifu. (Until October
15)
May 15 Aoi Matsuri or Hollyhock Festival in Kyoto features a
magnificent pageant.
Mid-May (for 15 days) Third Sumo Tournament, Tokyo
May
17-18 Grand Festival of Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. Highlighted by
a spectacular procession of over 1,000 armor-clad men.
3rd Sun. of May Mifune Matsuri on the Oi River, Kyoto, featuring
a parade of ancient boats.
Mid-May Kanda Matsuri of Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo (held every
odd-year). Dozens of Mikoshi portable shrines are on parade.
3rd Sun., previous Fri. & Sat. of May
Sanja Matsuri Festival of Asakusa Shrine, featuring a parade of 3 large
portable shrines and more than 100 smaller ones.
SUMMER - Play time in the land of nature
Summer is the season of rice planting, as well as being the time of
total greenery throughout the country. The green cherry leaves, maples,
oaks and chestnuts in mountain forests contrast with the deeper tints
of evergreen pines, while the delicate shoots of bamboo sway gently
throughout the land.
Summer is the season of fireworks. Almost every night, communities around
Japan stage lively firework displays colorfully enlivening the night
skies.
Summer throughout Japan culminates with large- scale festivals, many
with folk dancing, as well as "Bon odori" dance meetings for
the recreation of local residents, friends and visitors.
Festivals and Events
Mid-June Sanno Matsuri of Hie Shrine in Tokyo features a procession
of portable shrines through the busy streets of the Akasaka District,
every other year.
2nd Sat. of June Chagu-chagu Umakko Horse Festival in Morioka
where colorfully decorated horses are on parade.
July 7 Tanabata or Star Festival throughout Japan. The most famous
is held in Sendai with the decoration of numerous bamboo branches with
colorful paper stripes.
Mid-July (for 15 days) Fourth Sumo Tournament, Nagoya.
July 13-15 ( or August in many areas) Bon Festival throughout
the country. Religious rites are held in memory of the dead. Bon odori
folk dances are offered to comfort their souls.
July
14 Nachi Shrine Himatsuri or Fire Festival, Nachi-Katsuura features
the bearing of 12 giant torches by white-robed priests.
July 1-15 Hakata Gion Yamagasa in Fukuoka peaks on the 15th with
a parade of giant floats.
July 16-17 Gion Matsuri, the largest festival in Kyoto, dates
back to the 9th century. Gorgeously bedecked traditional floats parade
through the main streets.
Last Sat. of July Grand Fireworks Display over the Sumida River
in Tokyo.
July or August Kangensai Music Festival of Itsukushima Shrine
in Hiroshima, featuring court music and dances.
July 24-25 Tenjin Matsuri of Temmangu Shrine in Osaka features
a parade of boats bear- ing portable shrines on the Dojima River.
August 1 -7 Nebuta Matsuri Festi- val in Aomori (August 2-7),
and Neputa Mat- suri Festival in Hirosaki (Ausust 1 - 7), with para-des
of enormous lighted papier-mache dummies set on floats.
August 3-6 Kanto Matsuri Festival in Akita, featuring a parade
of long bamboo poles hung with many lighted lanterns.
August 5-7 Hanagasa Matsuri in Yamagata, with a dance parade
of some 10,000 townspeople wearing traditional straw hats with colorful
artificial flowers.
August 12-15 Awa Odori Folk Dance Festival in Tokushima. The
entire city resounds with singing and dancing day and night.
August 16 Daimonji Bonfire on the hills overlooking Kyoto.
AUTUMN - Tinted leaves
and harvest time
While the summer linger into September here and there, by October most
of Japan is enjoying the cool, crisp days of its distinct autumn.
Autumn in Japan brings swirls of changing leaves, in vivid hues of crimson,
gold, bronze and yellow, that paint its hills and mountainsides in carpets
of color. The season of harvest. In rural areas, the many rice fields
turn to gold, and the grain is soon cut and stacked or hung out to day
in neat, even rows. A time of frequent festivals, sports meets and cultural
functions around the country.
Eager crowds also throng to the many chrysanthemum shows which crop
up around the country.
Festivals and Events
September 16 Yabusame or Horseback Archery takes place at Tsurugaoka
Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura.
Mid-September (for 15 days) 5th Sumo Tournament, Tokyo.
October 7-9 Kunchi Festival of Suwa Shrine in Nagasaki features
a dragon dance of Chinese origin.
October 9-10 Takayama Matsuri of Hachimangu Shrine is noted
for its parade of colorful floats.
Mid - October Nagoya City Festival with a procession of feudal
lords along the city streets.
October 14-15 Kenka Matsuri or "Roughhouse" Festival
of Matsubara Shrine in Himeji reaches its climax on the 15th.
Mid-October -Mid-November Chrysanthemum Exhibitions at Meiji
Shrine and Asakusa Kannon Temple in Tokyo.
October 17 Autumn Festival of Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, with a
parade of palanquins escorted by armor-clad retainers.
October
22 Jidai Matsuri or Festival of the Ages of Heian Shrine in Kyoto
is one of the three grandest festivals of Kyoto.
October 22 Fire Festival
of Yuki Shrine, Kurama, in Kyoto, features long rows of torches embedded
along approaches to the shrine
November 2-4 Okunchi of
Karatsu Shrine in Saga is famoius for its parade of colorful floats.
November 3 Daimyo
Gyoretsu in Hakone is a faithful reproduction of a feudal lord's procession.
Mid-November Tori-no-ichi,or Rake Fair of Otori Shrine in Kanto
Region.
Mid-November (for 15 days) Sixth Sumo Tournament, Fukuoka.
November 15 Shichi-go-san (7-5-3) is the shrine-visiting day
for children aged 3 5 and 7 in appreciation of their good health given
them by the guardian gods.
Tinted leaves (Saimyoji Temple, Kyoto)
WINTER - Season of snowy pleasure
Except for the extreme north, winter in Japan is not Jverly severe,
and is usually tempered by warm 5unshine and blue skies.
On the other hand, in the northern regions, various festivals related
to snow and ice are held. Tourists 3.nd residents alike enjoy huge snow
and ice 5culptures and participate in the season's rural ~ustoms and
events.
Numerous events and fairs also take place :hroughout Japan in connection
with the New Year 5eason, which is the most important annual day for
:he Japanese.
Festivals and Events
December 15-18 On-matsuri of Kasuga Shrine in Nara, featuring
a masquerade procession.
December 17-19 Hagoita-ichi (Battledore fair) of Asakusa Kannon
Temple in Tokyo.
December 31 Okera Mairi of Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto. Sacred fire
ceremony.
December 31 Namahage in Oga Peninsula, Akita Pref. Men disguised
as devils make door-to-door calls to houses with children.
January
1 New Year's Day. From the first to third, 3.lmost all companies,
factories and businesses are cIosed. Families celebrate the New Year
enjoying Special dishes, wearing their best kimono or dress, 3.nd visiting
shrines and temples to pray for good lealth and happiness for the year.
January 6 Dezomeshiki or
the New Year's Parade of Firemen in Tokyo with acrobatic stunts on top
of tall ladders.
Mid-January (for 15 days) First Sumo Tournamernt, Tokyo.
Day before Coming-of-Age Day Grass Fire Ceremony on MT. Wakakusayama,
Nara.
Early February for 7 Days Snow Festival in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
The most famous snow festival in Japan with many huge, elaborate snow
and ice sculptures.
Early or Mid-February Snow Festivals in Asahikawa, Abashiri and
other cities in Hokkaido.
February 3 or 4 Setsubun or Bean- Throwing Festival is observed
at leading temples across the country..
February 3 or 4 Lantern Festival of Kasuga Shrine, Nara.
February 16-17 Bonden Festival in Yokote, Akita. Dozens of Bonten,
symbol of the God of Creativity, are carried by young men.
February 15-16 Kamakura Matsuri in Yokote, Akita. Snow houses
enshrining the God of Water are erected.
3rd Sat. of February Eyo or Hadaka Matsuri (naked festival) at
Saidaiji Temple, Okayama.
Look! National Holidays
| January 1 |
New Year's
Day |
| 2nd
Monday in January |
Coming-of-Age
Day |
| February 11 |
National Foundation
Day |
| March 21 (or
20) |
Vernal Equinox
Day |
| April 29 |
Greenery Day |
| May 3 |
Constiution
Memorial Day |
| May 5 |
Children's
Day |
| July 20 |
Maritime Day |
| September 15 |
Respect-for-the-Aged
Day |
| September 23(or
24) |
Autumnal Equinox
Day |
| Second Monday
in October |
Health - Sports
Day |
| November 3 |
Culture Day |
| November 23 |
Labor Thanksgivg
Day |
| December
23 |
The
Emperor's Birthday |
Note :
(1) When a national holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday becomes
a holiday.
(2) When a day (Except for Sundays and the above) is sanwiched between
national holidays, it also becomes a holiday. This rule is applicable
on the 4th of May.
(3) Effective 2003, Maritime Day, formely on July 20, is changed to
the 3 rd Monday of July while Respect-for-the-Aged Day, formerly on
September 15, is changed to the 3 rd Monday of September.
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