Throughout Japan, many different kinds of festivals take place, regardless of the seasons.
Cherished as important cultural events, festivals are filled with the thoughts and traditions of the local people.
Even within one country, the atmosphere can be completely different depending on the region,
so if you have the chance, you should enjoy a festival in every part of Japan!
In this issue, we will introduce some of the most famous festivals by season.
Would you like to experience a Japanese festival on your next trip to Japan?
MAY : Kanda Matsuri 📍Tokyo
Held every other year, Kanda Matsuri is one of the 3 biggest festivals in Japan and lasts for about a week. All day long, thousands of people parade while wearing traditional costumes from over 1,000 years ago, carrying mikoshi (portable shrines), through a distance of about 30 km (18.65 miles). This is a big event with floats decorated with enormous decorations!
Another festival highlight is the “Mikoshi Miyairi,” when the mikoshi are carried into Kanda Myojin Shrine. Early in the morning, after the mikoshi has gone around through the town, it runs through the torii gate and up the approach to the shrine. Here, full of excitement, the Mikoshi Miyairi begins. Next time, you should definitely experience the excitement!
Spring
AUGUST : Nebuta Matsuri 📍Aomori
Attracting over 2.2 million visitors every year, Nebuta Matsuri is one of 3 major festivals in the Tohoku region. “Nebuta” are towering lantern dolls which ride on floats surrounded by Haneto dancers. Together, they parade through town with powerful calls. This unique and powerful festival cannot be seen anywhere else! You can even rent costumes and become a Haneto dancer, immersing yourself in the rich culture of Aomori!
The festival is held for 6 days and during that time, each Nebuta is judged. On the final day, the “Nebuta Grand Prize” is awarded to the group that presents the best Nebuta performance. The next afternoon, the winning floats parade through Aomori City, led by the grand prize-winning Nebuta. By evening, the Nebuta will be loaded onto boats where they will float over the night sea while Aomori Fireworks begin. The view of fireworks and Nebuta is breathtaking!
Summer
OCTOBER : Kawagoe Matsuri 📍Saitama
Kawagoe Matsuri is a well-known autumn tradition. This historic festival has continued for more than 370 years and, in 2005, this festival was designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. In 2016, it achieved UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition for its historical legacy and cultural value.
The highlight of this festival are its gorgeous floats. Each town in the city has its own unique floats with different dolls on the top. They make a tour of the city while dancing and performing traditional instruments. You absolutely should not miss the musical and dance performance that takes place when each float meets each other. The festival atmosphere reaches a frenzy with the lively calls of the dancers and quick, rhythmic music. On top of that, nearly 100 food stalls (yatai) gather at a spot called “Yatai-mura,” where visitors can enjoy a variety of festival foods!
Autumn
FEBRUARY : Sapporo Snow Festival 📍Hokkaido
Sapporo Snow Festival’s celebration of snow and ice attracts more than 2 million visitors every year from throughout Japan and internationally. Held in Hokkaido, the northernmost part of Japan, the festival takes place in Sapporo City and the surrounding areas. Hokkaido receives one of the most snowfall in the world with an average annual snowfall of 485 cm (about 16 feet), accumulating as much snow as 80 to 90 centimeters (2.6 - 2.9 feet).
The highlights of this festival are the gigantic snow sculptures which are created under a theme that changes each year. Featuring nearly full-size reproductions of famous architectural landmarks, visitors can also enjoy a fusion of snow sculptures and technology, such as illumination with projection mapping. There are many attractions for kids to play, such as snow slides and a maze made of snow walls.
A snow sculpture contest is also held during the festival, where teams from different cities and countries around the world compete! It is the only opportunity to see the snow sculptures being made, up close and personal. Please enjoy the stunning artwork and winter scenery, all made of snow and ice!
Winter
Enjoy Festival Food Stalls 🤤
Yatai (food stalls) line festival streets and offer delicious street food to enjoy!
If you have an opportunity to go, make the most of it and enjoy the yatai festival foods!
If you have an opportunity to go, make the most of it and enjoy the yatai festival foods!
This time, we introduced some Japanese festivals that you can enjoy each season.
Come to Japan and indulge in the lively atmosphere of a traditional festival!
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