Takayama Matsuri Autumn Festival
- Date
- October 9th and 10th
- Place
- Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine
- Infomation
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The gaze of the spectators becomes riveted on the gorgeous motifs of the yatai floats.
City:178, Sakura-machi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
The Takayama Festival, which is cited as one of the three most beautiful festivals of Japan, consists of two festivals: the Spring Takayama Festival or Sanno Matsuri at Hie Shrine, and the Autumn Takayama Festival or Hachiman Matsuri at Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine.
The Autumn Hachiman Matsuri, which is held annually on October 9th and 10th prompts the local inhabitants to start their winter preparations.
The greatest attractions are the eleven yatai floats which are designated as significant intangible folk cultural assets.
*Their splendid motifs produced by the skills of the master artisans called Hida no Takumi are so gorgeous that they are often described as 'mobile Yomeimon' in association with the renowned Yomeimon Gate of Nikko Tosho Shrine.
The crowds of spectators coming from distant places are fascinated by the festival procession, which is almost like a narrative picture scroll.
The dexterous movements of the wind-up marionettes, which move with a thread or a spring, performing on top of the yatai floats are especially interesting.
The yatai floats are lined up before dusk, and once the town becomes veiled in the evening darkness, as many as 100 chochin lanterns are lit on each of the floats.
The unique ornaments of the yatai floats look even more resplendent in the darkness of the night.
*A significant intangible folk cultural asset refers to manners and customs related to food, clothing and shelter, vocation, faith, annual events, and folkloric performing arts, etc., which have been established by the people in daily life and passed down through generations, deemed especially valuable by the State.
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Nada Fighting Festival
- Other Name
- Nada no Kenka Matsuri
- Date
- October 14th and 15th
- Place
- Matsubara Hachiman Shrine
- Infomation
-
Portable shrines fiercely jolted against one another produce breathtaking scenes befitting a 'Fighting Festival'
City:399, Shirahama-cho Ko, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture
Nada no Kenka Matsuri is the popular name for a festival held at the Matsubara Hachiman Shrine in the town of Shirahama, Himeji City.
It came to be called by this name, Kenka Matsuri or 'Fighting Festival' because the mikoshi (portable shrines) are jolted against one another when carried on the shoulders of the men in the parade.
There are no detailed rules or opponents for the vehement collisions of the portable shrines.
As soon as the portable shrines are set properly on the men's shoulders and everyone is ready, they are knocked against one another at random, and the moment a portable shrine is hoisted on top of another, the contest is over.
The greatest attraction is the struggle among 3 portable shrines when men over 35 wearing white headbands, those of 26-35 with yellow headbands and youths under 26 marked by red headbands, holding bamboo poles in their hands, join in the fight.
A vehement struggle unfolds but this is in no way a fight between the men.
This festival, which is the largest of the numerous fighting festivals held nationwide, is not only famous in Japan but is also becoming widely known overseas.
The highlight of this festival is Yatai-neri, the parade of "yatai", festival floats, gorgeously decorated with wood carving, gold and silver handiwork and embroidered curtains.
The yatai are carried on the shoulders of men and are surrounded by the men holding "shide" (bamboo poles decorated with colorful paper) in their hand.
As dusk sets in, illuminations on each of the yatai are lit.
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Jidai Matsuri(Festival of the Ages)
- Date
- October 22nd
- Place
- Heian Jingu Shrine
- Infomation
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A grand ancient-costume procession where the long history of Japan unfolds before the spectators
City:97, Nishi-Tenno-cho, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
(postponed in case of rain)
A festival held at the Heian Jingu Shrine, the Jidai Matsuri is one of the three largest festivals of Kyoto together with the Aoi Matsuri - Hollyhock Festival (May 15th) and the Gion Matsuri (July 1st - 31st).
The highlight of the festival is the Jidai Gyoretsu (Historic Pageant): a mikoshi (a portable shrine) and a suite of some 2,000 people dressed in costumes representing various eras of Kyoto's 1,200-year history parade through the city.
At noon, the procession departs from Kyoto Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace), and parades over a total distance of 4.6 kilometers as far as its destination, namely the Heian Jingu Shrine, arriving there around 2:30 in the afternoon.
The line of the parading people stretches over a long distance and it takes more than one whole hour for the entire procession to pass one spot.
This is a fine opportunity for taking a close look at the costumes, accessories and fittings which are reproduced with the quintessence of Kyoto's traditional handicraft techniques.
You will find it just as exciting as a visit to an art gallery or a museum.
Moreover, the unique atmosphere of the old streets and houses of Kyoto makes the spectators feel as if they have traveled back to antiquity.
This is an ideal festival for overseas visitors wishing to learn more about Japan and to see the chronological changes in Japanese costumes and customs.
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Kurama no Hi-Matsuri(Kurama Fire Festival)
- Date
- October 22nd
- Place
- Yuki-jinja Shrine and the town of Kurama
- Infomation
-
The evening sky becomes ablaze with the flames of huge watch fires and 250 pine torches
City:1073, Kurama-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
This festival held at Yuki-jinja Shrine reproduces the scene of receiving the deity in Kurama.
At 6 o'clock in the evening, watch fires called kagaribi are ignited all at once in front of the houses, and people holding up small and large taimatsu (pine torches) parade all night long announcing in loud voices the arrival of the festival.
The Kurama Fire Festival is known as one of the three most eccentric festivals of Kyoto, together with the Yasurai Matsuri at Imamiya-jinja Shrine (second Sunday of April) and the Ushi Matsuri (Bull Festival) at Koryuiji Temple (currently suspended).
The main features of this festival are the 3-meter tall watch fires placed here and there along the streets, and the pine torches which total more than 250.
Children carrying small pine torches are followed by grown-ups holding huge pine torches which weigh more than 80 kg each.
At 8 o'clock in the evening, people gather at the gateway of Kurama-dera Temple and pay a visit of worship to the Yuki Shrine.
Later, 2 mikoshi (portable shrines) carried on the shoulders of youths are paraded through the town streets, bringing the festival to its climax.
Every year, the festival ends a little past midnight.
Moreover, the buildings of Yuki-jinja Shrine, where this festival is staged, are structures representative of the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573-1598), and a sugi (Japanese cedar) tree about 800 years old stands in the precincts of the shrine.
As it is located in an area blessed with beautiful natural landscapes, it is an ideal place for viewing the autumnal tints in early November or cherry blossoms in the sakura season in early April (though the best timing for these seasonal views varies slightly from year to year).
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Tori-no-Ichi(Rake Fair)
- Date
- The days of the Tori or Rooster in November(the date changes each year, so please check the Japanese calendar)
- Place
- Otori-jinja Shrine and other shrines
- Infomation
-
A fair passed down since the Edo Period, thriving with people praying for good business
City: 3-18-7, Senzoku, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Tori or rooster is one of the Junishi or the twelve animal signs of the Oriental zodiac 繝ｻ繝ｻnamely, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and wild boar.
Formerly, the Japanese used to combine these twelve zodiac signs with the system of Jikkan (the ten celestial stems), which were applied to each year and each day.
The Tori-no-Ichi is conducted according to old Japanese customs, and is held on the days of the rooster in November.
Days of the rooster occur every 12 days in November, which means that the month of November has at least 2 or even 3 days of the rooster, depending on the year.
The Tori-no-Ichi is a fair held on the days of the rooster in November at various Otori-jinja shrines found in all parts of Japan.
This fair is sometimes called by the familiar name of Otori-sama.
The patron deity of good fortune and successful business is enshrined at Otori-jinja shrines which have many worshippers, and on these days of the rooster, a fair is set up in the precincts, with open-air stalls selling kumade rakes for 'raking in wealth and good fortune.'This good-luck rake is made of bamboo and is decorated with masks and koban (old gold coins).
Although the Otori-jinja Shrine in Taito-ku, quite close to Asakusa, is the most famous shrine for the Tori-no-Ichi fair, similar fairs are also held in about 30 other shrines in Tokyo such as Hanazono-jinja Shrine in Shinjuku-ku, Kitano-jinja Shrine in Nakano-ku and Ebara-jinja Shrine in Shinagawa-ku.
Moreover, when a rake is sold, it is common practice for the seller and buyer to clap their hands rhythmically in harmony with one another (known as tejime).
Quite a few people visit the fair just to hear the lively shouts which always accompany these hand clapping ceremonies.
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Momiji-gari (Autumn leaf viewing )
- Date
- November
- Place
- All over Japan (Especially in Kyoto, Arashiyama)
- Infomation
-
Just as the "sakura" or cherry blossom represents Spring, the "momiji" or autumn leaves, have traditionally represented Autumn in Japan.
The pleasurable pastime of viewing autumn colors is called "momiji-gari", which literally means "hunting the autumn leaves".
Japanese people enjoy momiji-gari, which is regarded as a seasonal event equally as important as "hanami", or flower viewing, and both practices are deeply rooted in their lives.
Originally the practice of viewing autumn colors is thought to have started off as an elegant pastime mainly enjoyed by the court and aristocracy in the 7th century.
That changed, however, around the 17th century during the Edo period, when the custom spread to commoners and people began to hold "sake" parties and sumptuous feasts while viewing the beautiful autumn landscapes.
In general the use of the term momiji is applied to all deciduous trees that produce autumnal leaves toned with a red or yellow color, including maple, the Japanese lacquer tree, and the ginkgo.
The term has also come to be used to represent the maple, the actual name for which is Kaede, because of the particular beauty of the leaves of that tree.
There are many Japanese tanka and haiku poems about the autumn leaves and the joys of viewing them.
The momiji tradition has also found expression in the noh and kabuki theatrical forms.
Kimono and obi sashes have also incorporated special traditional autumn motifs.
Like the cherry blossom, the momiji reaches its peak in a rather short time and then fades and drops off the tree.
It represents delicate short-lived beauty that Japanese people are traditionally fond of, like a samurai, who has lived a short but honorable life.
Autumn leaves peak and then fall, following by the first snows of winter, completing the natural life cycle that Japanese have experienced for centuries.
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Cherry Blossom Viewing - Flower Festival
- Other Name
- Hanami (flower viewing)
- Cherry Blossom Festival
- Date
- April
- Infomation
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Various flower festivals are held at Shinto shrines during the month of April.
Excursions and picnics for enjoying flowers, particuarly cherry blossoms are also common.
In some places flower viewing parties are held on traditionally fixed dates.
This is one of the most popular events during spring.
The subject of flower viewing has long held an important place in literature, dance and the fine arts.
Ikebana (flower arrangement) is also a popular part of Japanese culture and is still practiced by many people today.
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Kamakura Festival-Kanagawa
- Infomation
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At the shrine which serves as a symbol of Kamakura, the samurai society of the Medieval Period is revived.
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Takoage-Gassen-Hamamatsu(Kite-Fighting Contest)
- Infomation
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A spectacular festival of some 100 large kites flying over sand dunes.
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Boys' Day - Children's Day
- Other Name
- Sobu no Sekku (Iris Festival)
- Tango no Sekku (Tango Festival)
- Date
- 5th of May
- Infomation
-
May is the month of the Iris Festival.
The tall-stemmed Japanese iris is a symbolic flower.
It's long, narrow leaves resemble the sharp blades of a sword, and for many centuries it has been the custom to place iris leaves in a boy's bath to give him a martial spirit.
Originally May 5th was a festival for boys corresponding to the Doll Festival, for girls, but in 1948 it was renamed Children's Day and made a national holiday.
However the symbols of courage and strength really honor only boys.
It is customary on this day for families with male children to fly koinobori (carp streamers, a symbol of success) outside the house, display warrior dolls (musha ningyo) inside and eat chimaki (rice cakes wrapped in cogan grass or bamboo leaves) and kashiwamochi (rice cakes filled with bean paste and wrapped in oak leaves).
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Kyoto Gion Matsuri
- Date
- 01 Jul 2009 - 31 Jul 2009
- Infomation
-
Kyoto Gion Matsuri Festival is one of the most popular local festivals in Japan.
The other grand festivals are the Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori and Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka.
This 1100-year-old festival centered on Yasaka Shrine, originated in the 9th c in Kyoto, which was then the capital city of Japan.
Legend has it that a terrible plague wrecked havoc on the city.
One of the priests of Yasaka shrine who are also known as Gion wanted to appease the Shnto gods.
He led the people in a procession through Kyoto.
The plague ended by the grace of the gods.
A lot of tourists come from other cities and countries.
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FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL
- Date
- 24 Jul 2009 - 27 Jul 2009
- Infomation
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Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2007, the Fuji Rock Festival is the largest rock music festival in Japan where nearly 100,000 people congregate every year.
The venue has been set at the Naeba Ski Resort since 1999, and the schedule has been revised to a total of 3 days and more stages have been added since then.
Big-name headliners perform at the festival each year, so this event gets a lot of attention from overseas media as well.
Although it is called a rock festival, a wide range of artists perform there, from grand old names of rock music to up-and-coming new faces, from jazz to techno musicians.
The real thrill of this festival is that you can enjoy the music at your leisure in the grandeur of nature.
Moreover, other attractions such as food booths and massage tents are set up for your pleasure.
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TANABATA FESTIVAL
- Date
- August 6th-8th
- Place
- Entire city of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, but mainly Chuo Dori, Higashi Ichibancho Dori and around Shimin Hiroba
- Infomation
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This is a Tanabata event held in Sendai, the central city of the Tohoku District.
Gorgeous decorations made with bamboo and Japanese paper called sasatake are put up in the arcades in front of Sendai Station and in all other parts of the city, in what appears to be a contest for beauty.
Nowadays, Tanabata is generally celebrated as a national event on July 7th, but the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri is held in August in accordance with the lunar calendar, which was used before the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
Similar events are organized throughout the nation, but the festival held here is the most famous of all.
Unique to Sendai are the Seven Ornaments, which embody prayers for progress in studies or calligraphy, the wellbeing of one's family, good health and longevity, prosperous business, a large catch and a rich harvest.
They consist of colored paper in rectangular strips, kimono made of Japanese paper, cranes made by folding square paper, drawstring pouches made of paper, cast nets made of paper, waste baskets made of paper and streamers made of colored paper shaped into rings and joined in chains, or shaped like the brush of a broom.
The tradition of celebrating Tanabata in this region originated more than 400 years ago, around the time of Date Masamune (1567-1636) who was the warlord of the Sendai Clan, but it came to be held in the current grandiose style only after 1928, the year of the Tohoku Industrial Exposition.
Although the festival had to be suspended during World War II, it recommenced soon after the war ended with the aim of reviving the city, and developed into the greatest Tanabata event in Japan as well as a major tourist event of the Tohoku District.
All kinds of attractions such as fireworks, parades and concerts are also featured during this festival.
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Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival
- Date
- September 1st-3rd
- Place
- Yatsuo-machi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
- Infomation
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This is a traditional folk event to appease the wind and pray for a bountiful crop, and is held every year for three days from September 1st.
It corresponds to the 210th day from the first day of spring according to the traditional Japanese calendar and is considered a day often beset by calamities when farmers are frequently struck by typhoons.
Although there are many explanations about its origins, it is generally believed that the Bon ritual of paying homage to ancestors merged with a festival praying for a rich harvest.
All the men and women of the town stop working during the days of the festival.
They light small lampstands covered with paper and dance all night while singing the "Ecchu Owara Bushi"which is a folk song handed down in Yatsuo-machi town, Toyama Prefecture.
Accompaniment is provided by three-stringed Japanese musical instruments, smaller Japanese stringed instruments and drums.
The women all wear the same type of cotton summer kimono with black sashes and hats made by braiding straw, while the men wear short jackets and amigasa hats.
The dance is performed in an area extending some 3 kilometers from north to south, and the 11 Owara district sub-branches, each forming a unit, dance on designated stages as they travel around the area.
It used to be a local folk festival for the inhabitants of the town.
However, word about the unique melancholic melodies and mysterious dance has spread, and in recent years it has been drawing large numbers of spectators from all over the country.
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Reitaisai
- Date
- September 14th-16th
- Place
- Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine
- Infomation
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Yabusame, a Shinto ritual of shooting arrows on horseback, is famous worldwide.
City:2-1-31, Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
This is the Reitaisai of the 800-year old Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine.
It consists of numerous events such as offerings of Kamakura kagura music performed when paying homage to deities, a tea-offering ceremony to the gods and classical Japanese dance.
Yet the greatest attraction of all is, no doubt, the gallant Yabusame (held on the 16th) which passes down the ancient traditions of the Kamakura Period.
Yabusame is a contest combining equestrian skills and Japanese-style archery which was popular among the samurai warriors from the end of the Heian Period (794-1192) to the Kamakura Period (1192-1333).
Along a straight riding ground which extends over approximately 250 meters, targets 1, 2 and 3 are set up, and archers on horseback shoot at these one after the other.
If an archer scores a direct hit, he receives a round of applause from the tens of thousands of spectators.
The archers are dressed in samurai hunting wear called age shozoku just like in the Kamakura Period, and use turnip-head arrows which make a whistling sound as they fly through the air.
The festival is conducted over three days from September 14th to 16th.
The 14th is the Yoimiyasai, or the eve of the festival.
On the 15th, there is the Big Annual Festival when numerous worshippers are welcomed by the shrine head and staff, unmarried women serving gods and young girls serving gods as well as performing dances to the accompaniment of music.
The Shinkosai parade of parishioner carrying portable shrines is also held followed by a procession of several hundred meters marching through the streets.
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