13 Well-liked Japanese Festivals To Add to Your Journey Listing
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Japan is understood for its conventional tradition, however do you know that extends even to Japanese festivals? The floats that dominate a few of Japanâs most well-known celebrations have made it onto UNESCOâs Consultant Listing of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Add a number of of those Japanese festivals to your journey itinerary to grasp the attraction firsthand!
Whether or not you attend the celebrations held for Japanese holidays or watch a parade dancing down the road for a competition, understanding Japanese will improve your expertise. In the event youâre unsure how you can study Japanese or the place to begin, Rosetta Stone can present you the best way.
What’s a matsuri?
Matsuri (ăŸă€ă, ç„, or ç„ă) is the Japanese phrase for âcompetition.â Youâll see Japanese festivals at Shinto shrines (jinja, ç„瀟) and Buddhist temples (otera, ăćŻș) or adorning the streets with music, floats, dancing, and extra. Irrespective of which competition (or festivals!) you attend, hold a number of issues in thoughts:
- Keep away from bringing baggage or massive luggage, as Japanese festivals are sometimes crowded.
- Have money, as many stalls for meals, video games, and omiyage (regional souvenirs) gainedât settle for debit/bank cards.
- Be conscious of etiquette when attending a competition at a shrine or temple, as they’re nonetheless spiritual websites.
- Keep hydrated, particularly through the summer time when the climate is sizzling and humid.
- In the event you get a snack, cease to eat it slightly than consuming and strolling, which is taken into account impolite.
You’ll find Matsuri everywhere in the nation at any time of 12 months, so this may very well be your likelihood to discover some areas chances are you’ll by no means have thought of! Japan has 47 prefectures, every with its personal distinctive historical past, tradition, andâin some circumstancesâJapanese dialects.Â
Winter festivals in Japan
The calendar 12 months begins with a very powerful Japanese vacation: the Japanese New 12 months. You’ll find matsuri surrounding all the main holidays (equivalent to Setsubun in February), however be sure you benefit from the Japanese festivals between the vacations, too.
1. Nagasaki Lantern Pageant (é·ćŽă©ăłăżăłăă§ăčăăŁăă«)
When: First 15 days of the Lunar New 12 months (late January or early February)
The place: Shinchi Chinatown and Minato Park in Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture
What to anticipate: This Japanese lantern competition is a vibrant show of each Japanese and Chinese language tradition in honor of the Lunar New 12 months. Greater than 15,000 lanterns gentle up the town, some small and others making up full artwork shows. Along with the colourful Chinese language-style lanterns, youâll see dragon dances, lion dances, and different performances held all through the town.Â
What to eat: Attempt some chĆ«ka ryĆri (äžèŻæç, Chinese language-style delicacies) like xiaolongbao (ć°ç± ć , steamed dumplings full of minced meat and soup).
Donât miss: Though the principle festivities are centered round Shinchi Chinatown and Minato Park, your complete metropolis of Nagasaki lights up for this competitionâdiscover to your coronary heartâs content material!
2. Sapporo Snow Pageant (ăăŁăœăéȘăŸă€ă)
When: Yearly on February 4-11
The place: Ćdori Park in Sapporo, Sapporo Prefecture
What to anticipate: Itâs a winter wonderland! Guests to the Sapporo Snow Pageant in Japan can bundle up and courageous the chilly to see between 300-400 elaborate ice and snow sculptures. The competitionâs official web site offers particulars in regards to the particular actions at every location, however you’ll be able to anticipate issues like slides product of snow, snow mazes, musical performances on levels product of snow, meals distributors, and nighttime shows.
What to eat: Regional specialties to maintain you heat like ramen (ă©ăŒăĄăł) noodles, grilled beef and seafood, and mulled wine.
Donât miss: Take a look at the Worldwide Snow Sculpture Contest, the place groups from around the globe come to Sapporo to construct their sculptures in a show of camaraderie between world neighbors.
3. Yokote Snow Pageant (æšȘæăźéȘăŸă€ă)
When: Yearly on February 15-16
The place: Close to metropolis corridor in Yokote, Akita Prefecture
What to anticipate: Kamakura (éć, rounded, hollowed-out snow buildings) dot the winter panorama at this competition. Miniature variations of kamakura are illuminated by candlelight, with the nice and cozy glow illuminating paths, making a magical and exquisite scene.
What to eat: Take pleasure in amazake (çé , candy rice wine) and grilled mochi (é€ , rice muffins) whereas sitting in a kamakura.
Donât miss: Be sure you keep for the second day of the competition, when ornately adorned staves (bonden, ăŒăă§ă) are carried to Asahiokayama Shrine to wish for a bountiful harvest, affluent enterprise, and security.
4. Shuni-e (äżźäșäŒ)
When: Yearly on March 1-14
The place: Todai-ji Temple in Nara, Nara Prefecture
What to anticipate: Shuni-e begins with night time after night time of purifying hearth ceremonies and culminates with a sacred water ceremony on the ultimate day. Also called the Omizutori Pageant (ăæ°Žćă, actually âwater drawingâ), the water used can supposedly treatment any ailment. Every night time, younger monks wave monumental torches, drawing circles within the air and casting sparks and ash. The earlier 12 monthsâs sins are purged with the cleaning hearth, and it’s stated that to have sparks and ash fall upon you wards off and protects from evil spirits.
What to eat: After the sacred water has been supplied to the Buddhist deities on the temple, competition company have an opportunity to attempt some as effectively.
Donât miss: Nara is house to over a thousand deer (shika, éčż) that love the vacationers who carry them crackers (senbei, ç é€ ). You’ll find stalls promoting packs of senbei all alongside the principle path in Nara Park (also referred to as Deer Park) in your option to Todai-ji Temple.Â
Spring festivals in Japan
Spring is virtually synonymous with cherry blossom season in Japan, with peak bloom occurring in late April to early Could. Whereas Golden Week in Japanâper week with 4 nationwide holidays in fast successionâsprings to thoughts for the season, attending Japanese festivals is a good way to benefit from the climate earlier than summer time arrives.
5. Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Pageant (ćŒćăăăăŸă€ă)
When: Yearly in late April to early Could
The place: Hirosaki Park in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture
What to anticipate: If you wish to see a cherry blossom competition in Japan, you’ll be able toât do higher than the two,600 sakura (æĄ, cherry blossom) bushes in Hirosaki park. Through the use of the identical methods used to prune Aomoriâs well-known apple bushes, Hirosaki Parkâs bushes flower with extra buds than a typical sakura tree. As soon as the solar goes down, the bushes are lit as much as create a spectacular, mushy pink sight.
What to eat: Choose up some easy-to-carry lunch objects like onigiri (ăă«ăă, rice balls) and kara-age (ćæă, fried rooster) to get pleasure from a picnic beneath the falling blossoms.
Donât miss: Examine Japanâs annual cherry blossom forecast earlier than you go to! From there, you’ll be able to see when peak bloom is anticipated throughout the nation.
6. Aoi Matsuri (è”ç„)
When: Yearly on Could 15
The place: From the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
What to anticipate: The competition originated within the seventh century as an agrarian ceremony to beat back evil and pray for an considerable harvest. As we speak, it’s a majestic eight-kilometer procession of 500 folks richly wearing clothes of the Heian Interval Imperial Courtroom, accompanied by oxcarts, horsemen, and archers, all of their finery. Annually, a younger girl enjoying the a part of the saiĆ (æç, excessive priestess) clothes in 12 layers of silk, partakes in purification rituals, and joins the procession to reward deities on the shrines.
What to eat: Conventional Japanese sweets coloured inexperienced and adorned with designs of aoi (hollyhock) leaves.
Donât miss: If you need front-row seats for the occasion, tickets can be found on the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Shimogamo Shrine, starting from 4,000 yen to twenty,500 yen (about $30 to $150).
Summer time festivals in Japan
Summer time is undeniably the most important season for Japanese festivals. Seize your sunscreen and a bottle of water, as a result of you could have loads of Japanese summer time competition traditions to get pleasure from outdoor!
7. Gion Matsuri (ç„ćç„)
When: Yearly on July 1-31
The place: Websites round Central Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
What to anticipate: In each procession, youâll see yama (ć±±, smaller floats which can be carried) and hoko (éŸ, massive floats). The hoko are gigantic, some weighing in at 12 tons and reaching heights of 25 meters. These are pulled with enormous ropes, and roll alongside the streets on wheels taller than most individuals. The attractive textiles created on this space adorn the floats, and musicians perch atop to play flutes and drums for the crowds.
What to eat: Well-liked summer time road meals like shaved ice (kakigĆri, ăăæ°·) and meat buns (nikuman, èăŸă) are excellent for this competition.
Donât miss: Didnât get take a look at the floats? You’ll find the yama and hoko floats arrange across the metropolis at night time so that you can go to and recognize shut up.
8. Hakata Gion Yamakasa (ćć€ç„ćć±±çŹ )
When: Yearly on July 1-15
The place: Hakata district in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture
What to anticipate: The thrilling fundamental occasion at this competition is a race by way of seven districts, the place groups of males hoist kakiyamakasa (èăć±±çŹ , floats which can be carried) which can be greater than 10 meters tall upon their shoulders and run by way of the streets at full pace. Itâs so arduous that they need to work in groups and shifts, consistently flowing with exact choreography. Rise up early on the fifteenth if you wish to see the race: It begins at 4:59 a.m.!
What to eat: You gainedât discover particular meals for this competition, however you need to not eat cucumbers, as their cross-section resembles the symbol of the competitionâs deity.
Donât miss: Ornamental, stationary floatsâkazariyamakasa (éŁŸăć±±çŹ )âwith scenes of historic or cultural significance could be seen across the space starting on July 1st, depicting in style conventional and trendy dolls.
9. Nebuta Matsuri (ăă¶ăç„)
When: Yearly on August 2-7Â
The place: Central Aomori, Aomori Prefecture
What to anticipate: The highlights of the competition are huge, brightly coloured nebuta floats (9 meters extensive, 7 meters deep, 5 meters excessive) illuminated from inside, depicting scenes and characters from folktales. Youâll see some smaller ones blended in, too, that are created by native council members and associations. The floats judged the most effective are taken to the ocean for a cruise across the port.Â
What to eat: Aomori is legendary for its apples, so get pleasure from some apple pie and baked apples.
Donât miss: Go to the Nebuta Museum, conveniently situated subsequent to Aomori Station, to get a style of the competition any time of 12 months.
10. Sendai Tanabata Pageant (ä»ć°äžć€ç„ă)
When: Yearly on August 6-8
The place: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture for the most important competition, however held throughout Japan
What to anticipate: Tanabata is named the star competition, and itâs impressed by a Chinese language legend the place two lovers are separated, solely capable of meet henceforth on the seventh day of the seventh month. Though thatâs July 7 on the Gregorian calendar, Sendai holds a large celebration starting August 6. You’ll find colourful decorations everywhere in the nation, however Sendai shows handcrafted bamboo poles and enormous paper decorations, every signifying a completely different sort of want.
What to eat: Normal competition fare like yakisoba (çŒăăă°, fried noodles) and takoyaki (ăăçŒă, octopus dumplings) are simple to seek out.
Donât miss: Make a want! Write one in all your needs on a brightly coloured strip of paper (tanzaku, çć) and tie it to designated bamboo decorations at any Tanabata celebration.
11. Obon (ăç)
When: Yearly on August 13-16, or July 13-16 in some areas
The place: Throughout Japan, with well-known places being Kyoto, Gujo, and Sapporo
What to anticipate: The Obon competition is each a competition and a vacation stretching over a number of days. Its objective is to honor the spirits of the deceased, very similar to DĂa de los Muertos (âDay of the Lifelessâ) in Mexico and All Saintsâ Day throughout Europe. Over the 4 days of festivities and ceremonies, youâll see folks visiting graves, lighting lanterns to information the spirits house, and festival-goers in colourful cotton kimono known as yukata (æ”ŽèĄŁ) having fun with conventional dances, meals, and carnival video games.
What to eat: Candy dumplings (dango, ćŁć), deep-fried greens (tempura, 怩ă·ă), and favourite meals of deceased family.
Donât miss: Some Obon Japanese festivals embody floating lanterns on a river (tĆrĆ nagashi, çŻç± æ”ă), symbolically guiding ancestors to the ocean.Â
Fall festivals in Japan
Though summer time boasts extra well-known Japanese festivals, the autumn foliage makes these fall festivals stunning. When the climate begins to chill, hold a watch out for Japanâs autumn leaves, or kĆyĆ (çŽ è).
12. Jidai Matsuri (æ代ç„)
When: Yearly on October 22
The place: Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu Shrine in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
What to anticipate: Actually which means âPageant of the Ages,â Jidai Matsuri lives as much as its title. The procession (which takes two and a half hours) immerses spectators in Japanese historical past. Greater than 2,000 contributors wearing historic apparel representing main occasions in reverse chronological order from the Meiji Restoration (late nineteenth century) to the Enryaku interval (782-806) stroll the route from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu Shrine.
What to eat: This competition doesnât have any particular meals, however the competition route takes you alongside a number of of Kyotoâs main streets, which have each conventional and Western-style eating places.
Donât miss: Town of Kyoto is the outdated capital of Japan, so take the chance to go to historic websites from the intervals depicted within the procession!
13. Chichibu Yomatsuri (秩ç¶ć€ç„)
When: Yearly on December 2-3
The place: Downtown Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture
What to anticipate: Massive crowds collect within the chilly night to witness spectacular floats constructed within the conventional method with no use of nails or trendy instruments. These floats are overflowing with ornate paper lanterns, gilded wooden carvings, and wealthy tapestries. Theyâre carried from the Chichibu Shrine to the plaza in entrance of metropolis corridor.
What to eat: Native specialties like waraji katsudon (ăăăăă€äžŒ), a rice bowl with deep-fried pork cutlet, flavored with a candy and spicy soy-based sauce.
Donât miss: The grand finale is an immense fireworks show that lights up the night time skyâyou donât need to miss that!
Have fun Japanese festivals authentically with Rosetta Stone
It doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you go to Japan, youâll be capable to discover Japanese festivals. Even in the event you miss one of many main festivals, hundreds of native festivals happen year-round due to the a whole lot of hundreds of shrines and temples within the nation, most of which host their very own matsuri. Hold a watch (and ear) out as you discover!
Once you journey exterior the most important cities of Japan to Japanese festivals, youâll discover much less and fewer English. That makes touring to the extra rural areas an excellent alternative to observe your Japanese! Utilizing Rosetta Stoneâs Dynamic Immersion technique, you’ll be able to put together your self for Japanese-only dialog with audio recorded by native audio system and tales that introduce you to Japanese tradition.
