What are the famous festivals in Japan? Introducing festivals from all over the country

Hello, this is Kano from JAC (Japan Association for Construction Human Resources).

In Japan, traditional festivals are held all over the country.
Festivals have been deeply rooted in each region for a long time and are carefully passed down through the generations.

This time, we will introduce some famous festivals in Japan.

Introduction to Japanese festivals

There are many different festivals all over Japan.

Many Japanese festivals are held to express gratitude to the gods.

Since ancient times, Japanese people have believed that gods reside in everything around us.
For example, the sun, rain, mountains, rivers, seas, plants, and animals.

As a result, there is a custom of praying to the gods of nature for bountiful harvests and good health, and a festival culture developed.

Many tourists from overseas visit Japanese festivals.
You can learn about the charm and traditions of Japan through festivals, so be sure to visit and experience them for yourself.

What are the famous festivals in Japan? Introducing festivals from all over the country

Japan has a variety of festivals, from small ones where local residents take part, to large ones that attract many people from all over the country.
This time, we will introduce some famous Japanese festivals that are also popular with foreign tourists.

• Gion Festival (Kyoto)
• Tenjin Festival (Osaka)
• Kanda Festival (Tokyo)
• Sapporo Snow Festival (SAPPORO YUKI MATSURI, Hokkaido)
• Aomori Nebuta Festival (AOMORI NEBUTA MATSURI, Aomori)
• Sendai Tanabata Festival (Miyagi)
• Chichibu Night Festival (CHICHIBU YOMATSURI, Saitama)
• Nagaoka Festival Fireworks Display (NAGAOKA MATSURI OOHANABI TAIKAI, Niigata)
• Awa Odori (Tokushima)
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa (Fukuoka)

Gion Festival (Kyoto)

The Gion Festival held in Kyoto is one of Japan's three major festivals.
It is held at Yasaka Shrine every year from July 1st to July 31st.

The Gion Festival is said to have begun in 869 to quell an epidemic.

The highlights of the Gion Festival are the Yamahoko Processions of the "SAKIMATSURI" held on July 17th and the "ATOMATSURI" held on July 24th.

33 gorgeous floats (23 in the early festival and 10 in the late festival) parade through the streets of Kyoto.
The floats are vehicles decorated with flowers and dolls, and serve as landmarks for the gods to come down.
Its beautiful appearance has earned it the nickname "a moving art museum."

[Gion Festival]

• Location: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
• Event period: July 1st to July 31st every year
• Official website: Gion Festival Yamahoko Association, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation

Tenjin Festival (Osaka)

Along with the Gion Festival, the Tenjin Festival in Osaka is one of Japan's three major festivals.
It has a history of over 1,000 years.

The Tenjin Festival is a summer festival that takes place once a year, when Tenjin-sama appears from the main hall of Osaka Tenmangu Shrine.

It is held every year on July 24th and 25th, with approximately 3,000 fireworks launched on the night of the 25th.

The RIKUTOGYO and FUNATOGYO are also highlights of the Tenjin Festival.
Rikutogyo is when people carry a mikoshi (portable shrine) and walk slowly in a line to the boat dock where the procession will take place.
The sight of around 3,000 people in colorful costumes walking along beating drums is a sight that can only be found in Japan.

Funatogyo is an event in which a portable shrine is carried on a boat across a river.
The sight of about 100 boats rowing away is magnificent and beautiful.

[Tenjin Festival]

• Location: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
• Event period: July 24th and 25th every year
• Official website: Osaka Tenmangu Shrine "Tenjin Festival"

Kanda Festival (Tokyo)

Kanda Festival is also one of Japan's three major festivals and is held in May every odd-numbered year.
This traditional festival has been held since around 1600 and is celebrated in large numbers in areas such as Kanda, Akihabara, and Nihonbashi.

The highlights of the Kanda Festival are the gorgeous mikoshi (portable shrines) and the glittering costumes.
Over 100 mikoshi portable shrines parade through the city, and you can enjoy the powerful shouts and lively atmosphere.

[Kanda Festival]

• Location: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
• Event period: 5 days centered on the Sunday closest to May 15th in odd-numbered years
• Official website: Kanda Matsuri special site

Sapporo Snow Festival (SAPPORO YUKI MATSURI, Hokkaido)

This is one of Japan's most famous winter festivals, held in the snowy country of Hokkaido.

The Snow Festival began in 1950 when junior and senior high school students created snow sculptures in Odori Park.
Afterwards, snow sculptures were made of foreign regions that have friendly relations with Sapporo, attracting attention from overseas.

It is held every February.
There are displays of snow and ice sculptures, as well as a long slide made of snow and ice.

In recent years, events have also been held where projection mapping is shown on snow and ice sculptures.

There will also be food stalls where you can enjoy Hokkaido seafood, local specialities, and alcoholic drinks.

[Sapporo Snow Festival]

• Location: Sapporo, Hokkaido (Odori Park, Susukino Venue, Tsudome Venue)
• Event period: February every year
• Official website: Sapporo Snow Festival Official Website

Aomori Nebuta Festival (AOMORI NEBUTA MATSURI, Aomori)

This is a summer festival held in Aomori City.

People pull floats (DASHI) carrying "Nebuta" and parade through the town.
"Nebuta" means a lantern, and doll-shaped and fan-shaped lanterns are used at the Aomori Nebuta Festival.

The huge Nebuta is very impressive.
The largest Nebuta, including the float, is approximately 9m wide, 7m deep, and 5m high.

Another highlight is the shouts of "Rassera, Rassela" by the dancers known as "HANETO."
Tourists can also buy or rent costumes and take part in the parade.

[Aomori Nebuta Festival]

• Location: Aomori City Center, Aomori Prefecture
• Event period: August 2nd to August 7th every year (August 1st is the eve of the festival)
• Official website: Aomori Nebuta Festival Official Site

Sendai Tanabata Festival (Miyagi)

The Sendai Tanabata Festival is a traditional festival with over 400 years of history.

The Tanabata Festival is said to have originated as a prayer for a good harvest out of fear of cold damage.

During the festival, approximately 3,000 colorful bamboo decorations are displayed throughout the city.
Bamboo decorations are gorgeous ornaments hung from bamboo and are displayed in hopes of improving handicraft and weaving skills.
They are made from Japanese paper and the largest ones are about 10 meters long.

Another highlight is the "Nanatsubazari" decorations, which represent seven wishes.

A fireworks display will also be held on August 5th as a pre-festival event.

[Sendai Tanabata Festival]

• Location: Sendai city center and surrounding shopping districts, Miyagi Prefecture
• Event period: August 6th to 8th every year
• Official website: Sendai Tanabata Festival

Chichibu Night Festival (CHICHIBU YOMATSURI, Saitama)

The Chichibu Night Festival is a festival held at Chichibu Shrine and has a history of over 300 years.

At the Chichibu Night Festival, floats decorated with lanterns are paraded around the town and a fireworks display is held.
One of the features of this event is that it is held in winter, which is rare in Japan.

Fireworks launched in the clear winter air look even more vibrant and dynamic.

[Chichibu Night Festival]

• Location: Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture
• Event period: December 2nd and 3rd every year
• Official website: Chichibu Night Festival | Chichibu Tourism Guide

Nagaoka Festival Fireworks Display (NAGAOKA MATSURI OOHANABI TAIKAI, Niigata)

It is said to have started as a fireworks display in 1879.

The fireworks display was suspended during the war, but resumed in 1947.
During the war, 80% of the city of Nagaoka was burned down in air raids.
It was reopened as a sign of the reconstruction.

It is now famous as the largest fireworks festival in Japan.

[Nagaoka Festival Fireworks Display]

• Location: Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture
• Event period: August 2nd and 3rd every year
• Official website: Nagaoka Fireworks Official Website

Awa Odori (Tokushima)

The Awa Dance of Tokushima Prefecture is said to be one of the three major Bon Dances in Japan.
A lively dance accompanied by drums, shamisen and other instruments is performed.

The costumes are unique, consisting of kimonos or yukatas, geta sandals, and straw hats on the head.
The sight of all the dancers dancing together is full of energy.

[Awa Dance]

• Location: Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture
• Event period: August 11th to August 15th every year
• Official website: Awa Odori Official Website

Hakata Gion Yamakasa (Fukuoka)

The Hakata Gion Yamakasa is said to have begun in 1241 as a prayer for the cessation of an epidemic that broke out in Hakata, Fukuoka.

During the festival, large "decorative floats" (KAZARIYAMAKASA) measuring over 10 meters will be displayed in various places around the city.
The Yamakasa floats are decorated with gorgeous dolls of various themes made by Hakata doll makers.

Starting around July 10th, the "KAKIYAMAKASA" festival will be held, in which floats measuring approximately 3 meters in height and weighing approximately 1 ton are paraded through the streets of Hakata.

Also, on the final day, July 15th, at 4:59 am, the Oiyama event will begin, in which seven Yamakasa floats will run 5km.

[Hakata Gion Yamakasa]

• Location: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
• Event period: July 1st to July 15th every year
• Official website: Hakata Gion Yamakasa

Summary: Experience history and culture by participating in Japan's famous festivals

Festivals are held all over Japan.
There are many festivals, from small to large.

It is said that Japanese festivals originally began as a way to express gratitude to the gods.

Japanese festivals are often attended by not only Japanese people but also many foreigners and tourists.

Be sure to take part in a Japanese festival and experience Japanese history and culture.

*This article was written based on information from August 2024.

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