Japanese people’s hearts simply leap in anticipation of the numerous colorful festivals and events that take place each year in every corner of this wonderful country. This is because the Japanese culture is one of the most fascinating and unique cultures in the world.
Japan’s festivals most often celebrate the changing of the seasons, as well as special historical events and are connected with fertility or prayers to the gods for good health. Many festivals in Japan involve beautifully decorated floats, called dashi, which are pulled through the town accompanied by drum and flute music and carrying people. Every festival (matsuri) and event in Japan has its own characteristics and while some festivals are calm and meditative, others may be energetic and noisy. In today’s post we are going to introduce some of the most interesting festivals in Japan that both locals and international travelers truly love and appreciate.
Chichibu Yomatsuri
(December 2-3)
One of the most beautiful nocturnal festivals, the Chichibu Yomatsuri is the festival of Chichibu Shrine in Chichibu City with a history of over 300 years and designated as part of Japan’s ‘Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties.’ The highlight of the Chichibu Yomatsuri is the many beautiful floats, some weighing more than 10 tons and all adorned with colorful lanterns. The festival is also marked by the colorful celebrations, ethnic art and dance performances and a massive procession with six floats, representing the six respective Kamis. Of great beauty is also the festival’s fireworks display, which lasts almost two and a half hours. What more, the streets of the city are lined with stands selling delicious festival foods and amazake (sweet rice wine) so that people can combat the cold December night.
Sapporo Snow Festival
(one week in early February)
This is one of Japan’s largest Winter events held annually with over two million people flocking to Sapporo to see hundreds of amazing snow statues and ice sculptures carved along the streets. Can you imagine? For seven wonderful days, Odori Park in Sapporo turns into a winter dreamland of crystal-clear ice and white snow, making it an alternative and cultured ski or winter holiday option.
Takayama Matsuri
(April 14-15 and October 9-10)
Known as one of the three most beautiful festivals in Japan, Takayama Matsuri is also one of the most popular. It consists of two festivals: the Spring Takayama Festival or Sanno Matsuri at Hie Shrine, and the Autumn Takayama Festival or Hachiman Matsur at Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine. During the festival, this tranquil country town changes magically into a beautiful as flags, lanterns and dyed draperies decorate the houses. Like during the previous festival, the highlight of the festival is a parade of unique floats and ancient puppets. Streets are filled with hundreds of townspeople wearing traditional costumes. During the daytime, all floats are pulled out, and the marionette performance is dedicated to the gods.
Kanto Matsuri
(Augustus 3-6)
Held in Akita City, Akita Prefecture, the Kanto Festival is a Tanabata related annual celebration, the highlight of which is an impressive display of skill, when performers balance kanto, or long bamboo poles with arrays of paper lanterns attached to the end. Then, a huge crowd of energetic youths dressed in short jackets, hachimaki headbands, white tabi socks and zori straw sandals, parade through the town while ensuring that the lights of the paper lanterns do not go out. Every year the festival is expected to have 1.1 million people, who come to watch and enjoy the performances of lanterns that look like big ears of rice.