Summer Festivals in Japan

The summer months of July and August are the best time to get outdoors and enjoy one of the numerous summer festivals on offer across Japan. From traditional celebrations such as the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto to spectacular summer fireworks, there is something for everyone to enjoy during summer. 

Known as matsuri (祭) in Japanese, these celebrations have their roots in Chinese festivals from centuries ago. Most matsuri are Shinto in origin with a connection to a local shrine where the gods or spirits known as kami reside. A festival is a time for breaking out the sake, enjoying wild dancing and singing, and getting closer to the gods. It is the only time of the year when the deities can leave the sanctuary of the shrine to be out amongst the people in the streets. 

Festivals typically celebrate the shrine’s deity or a historic event. Portable shrines called mikoshi house the kami when they are brought out from the shrine and paraded for the festival in front of thousands of adoring fans. 

The best way to fully immerse yourself in the matsuri experience is to wear a yukata (a light summer cotton kimono) and geta (wooden shoes). 

Here are a few of the many must see summer festivals to add to your Japan itinerary. 

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri in the northern Tohoku region of Japan. This spectacular summer festival features colorful lantern floats called nebuta which are paraded through the streets of central Aomori every August. The enormous floats are constructed of painted washi paper by local teams and often depict historical figures, famous Japanese samurai, kabuki actors, or mythical creatures. 

Photo Credit: Yo3up at Flickr

Gion Matsuri in the ancient capital of Kyoto. This summer festival dates back to 869 and is held over the entire month of July. It is the festival of Yasaka Shrine and was originally held to appease the gods after an outbreak of disease. The highlight is the famous grand procession of elaborately decorated festival floats which occurs on July 17th. 

Photo Credit: Patrick Vierthaler at Flickr

Gujo Odori in the picturesque riverside town of Gujo Hachiman in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture in central Japan. This summer street dance festival is one of the three most important traditional bon dance festivals in Japan. The festival started over 400 years ago in an attempt by the local feudal lord to bring all the people of his domain together regardless of rank or social position in order to enjoy one massive street party. 

Yosakoi Festival by Kumar nav at Flickr

Sendai Tanabata Matsuri in Miyagi Prefecture. Held in downtown Sendai from August 6th to 8th, it celebrates Tanabata (The Star Festival). Tanabata originates from Chinese folklore and is based on the romantic legend of Hikoboshi and Orihime, two star-crossed lovers separated by the Milky Way. The festival is famous for its thousands of brightly colored tanabata streamers that decorate the city. 

Photo Credit: Yo3up at Flickr

Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival in Tokyo. Fireworks have been a summer tradition in Japan for centuries. One of the biggest and best is this one along the banks of the Sumida River near Asakusa. It is the oldest fireworks festival in Japan and is held on the last Saturday of July. It is the perfect chance to try some street food with yatai (stalls) selling all kinds of delicious festival food and seasonal snacks such as takoyaki, yakisoba, shaved ice, and chocolate coated bananas.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Sapporo Snow Festival 2021

 

The Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido is one of the biggest and best winter events in Japan. Teams from around the world compete to create the most impressive ice and snow sculptures.

The snow festival, also known as Yuki Matsuri is one of Japan’s top festivals and is held annually in early February. The event has a humble origin and can trace its history back to 1950, when local high school students built six snow statues in Odori-koen in Sapporo. The JSDF (Japan Self Defense Force) built the first gigantic snow sculptures in 1955, and the event took off from there.

The festival attracts millions of visitors every year from not only Japan but across the world. Many people were looking forward to attending this year’s event but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the festival has moved online for 2021.

You can now enjoy this amazing event in the comfort of your own home by visiting the Sapporo Snow Festival Official Website.

A new multilingual website for the festival invites people to participate and help create this year’s event. You can watch short videos about the festival’s famous history, contribute your own photos from previous festivals in the Sapporo Snow Photo Festival, and even get tips on how to build the coolest snow and ice creations in the world in online workshops with local craftsmen and women.

Visit the Sapporo Snow Festival Official Website to check it out.

If you are interested in finding out more about Japanese festivals, check out the Matsuri Japanese Festival Search 2021 on Japanoscope. 

Sapporo Snow Festival by SteFou! is licensed with CC BY 2.0.

 

Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2016

JAFA’s Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival is the biggest Japan festival in Adelaide, South Australia. The festival organised by the JAFA (Japan Australia Friendship Association) has been running for over 20 years now. It's great to see Japanese culture so prevalent overseas and festivals like this promoting Japanese culture. If you are a fan of Japanese culture and live in the Adelaide area make sure to mark it down on your events calendar.

The festival is a lot of fun and is filled with Japan-related performances, exhibitions, activities, stalls and plenty of delicious Japanese food.

Some of the many attractions you can see at the festival include: 

• Martial Arts Demonstrations (Judo, Kendo, Aikido, Iaijutsu) 
• Taiko Drumming 
• Japanese Folk Dance 
• Traditional Japanese Folk Songs 
• Origami 
• Calligraphy 
• Ikebana (Flower Arranging) 
• Tea Ceremony 
• Bonsai Tree Displays 
• Japanese Pottery 

The event has won a number of prestigious community awards including:

• 2013 WINNER - The City of West Torrens Community Event of the Year Award
• 2013 WINNER - The Australia Day Council of South Australia Community Event of the Year Award

Come along for a fun day for the whole family at this unique community event.

Event Information 

What: Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival
When: Sunday, 1st May 2016 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Cowandilla Primary School
Address: 21 Jenkins St, Cowandilla, SA, Australia
Cost: $2 per person, $5 per family
Access: Free parking is available
Other: Come in a Japanese costume to add to the fun of the festival

Volunteers, stallholders, performers and display holders are needed. Please visit the website below to apply or to find out more about the festival.

http://jafa.asn.au/index.php/kodomo-no-hi-japan-festival

Here are some pictures from last year's event.

Japanese festival yukata

Japanese festival atmosphere and fun

Popular Japanese festival food Takoyaki

Martial Arts Demonstration

Japanese Taiko Drumming

Traditional Japanese Costume

Google Map

Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2015

JAFA’s Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival is the biggest Japan festival in Adelaide, South Australia. This year the festival is celebrating 20 years. It is great to see Japanese culture so prevalent overseas and festivals like this promoting Japanese culture. If you are a fan of Japanese culture and live in the Adelaide area make sure to mark it down on your events calendar.

The festival is a lot of fun and is filled with Japan-related performances, exhibitions, activities, stalls and plenty of Japanese food.

Some of the many attractions you can see at the festival include: 

• Martial Arts Demonstrations (Judo, Kendo, Aikido, Iaijutsu) 
• Taiko Drumming 
• Japanese Folk Dance 
• Traditional Japanese Folk Songs 
• Origami 
• Calligraphy 
• Ikebana (Flower Arranging) 
• Tea Ceremony 
• Bonsai Tree Displays 
• Japanese Pottery 

The event has won a number of prestigious community awards including:

• 2013 WINNER - The City of West Torrens Community Event of the Year Award
• 2013 WINNER - The Australia Day Council of South Australia Community Event of the Year Award

Come along for a fun day for the whole family at this unique community event.

Event Information 

When: Sunday, 3rd May 2015 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Cowandilla Primary School
Address: 21 Jenkins St, Cowandilla, SA, Australia
Cost: $2 per person, $5 per family
Access: Free parking is available
Other: Come in a Japanese costume to add to the fun

Here are some pictures from last year's event

Girls wearing Japanese yukata

Japanese Martial Arts

Chocolate Banana at the Festival

Japanese Taiko Drumming

Performance at the Festival

Performance at the Festival

Performance at the Festival

Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival Website

Google Map

Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2014

JAFA’s Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival is the biggest Japan festival in Adelaide, South Australia with a 19-year history. The day is filled with Japan-related performances, exhibitions, activities, stalls and plenty of Japanese food.

The event has won a number of prestigious community awards including:

Autumn Leaves at Gujo Hachiman Castle

Gujo Hachiman Castle (郡上八幡城) is a mountain castle located on top of Mount Hachiman in Gujo Hachiman, Gifu Prefecture. The original castle was built in 1559 by Endo Morikazu, but torn down during the Meiji Restoration in 1870. The current castle was reconstructed in 1933 and this year 2013 celebrates its 80th anniversary. It is one of the best reconstructed castles in Japan and unlike most of Japan’s modern day reconstructions is not made of concrete but wood, so is more true to its original form. The castle offers amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and the view from the top of the castle is breathtaking. The castle is accessible via car or on foot and is only a short hike of around 15 minutes from the base to the top of Mount Hachiman where the castle is located.

Gujo Hachiman Castle is surrounded by maple trees which make the area really beautiful during the autumn in Japan. It is considered one of the best spots in Gifu Prefecture for momiji or autumn leaf viewing. The white structure of the castle is contrast brilliantly by the fiery red colours of the autumn foliage. The best time to see the colourful leaves is usually early to late November. There is also a night time display where the trees and castle are lit from sunset until 9 pm. This year it ran from November 9 – 17.

There is also a Momiji (Autumn Leaves) Festival that runs from November 2 – 24.

Momiji Festival

Gujo Hachiman Castle

The approach to Gujo Hachiman Castle

Autumn Leaves over the Watch Tower

Momiji at Gujo Hachiman Castle

View from Gujo Hachiman castle

Beautiful Autumn Colours at Gujo Hachiman

YouTube Video:

Access:
You can get to Gujo Hachiman Station on the Nagaragawa line and Mount Hachiman is only a short walk from the town center. The hike to the top of the mountain where Gujo Hachiman Castle is located is about a 15 minute walk. You can also access the castle by car with parking available.

Google Map:

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Shichi-Go-San 2013

Shichi-Go-San (Seven-Five-Three) is a Japanese festival in honour of girls aged three and seven, and boys aged five. The actual date of Shichi-Go-San is November 15th, but it is not a national holiday in Japan and is usually celebrated on the nearest weekend to the actual date.

Children dress in their finest clothes, typically a Japanese kimono and visit a shrine with their parents. It is a day to pray for the good fortune and healthy growth of children and hope for a successful future.

Why the ages Seven-Five-Three? 

These ages are odd numbers and are considered lucky in East Asian numerology. This year you can expect a lot of young children dressed in kimono at shrines on the weekend of November 16-17. I recommend a visit to a shrine if you want to see this event and it is also a good opportunity for all those photographers out there to capture a wonderful photo.

Traditional Clothing

It is tradition on Shichi-Go-San for children to dress up in traditional Japanese clothing such as a kimino and hakama and visit a shrine to celebrate and be blessed. It is usually the first time for many to wear such traditional clothing and is a popular time for formal pictures to be taken at a professional photo studio. In more recent times, many children are increasingly wearing Western style clothing such as dresses and suits. 

Origins of Shichi-Go-San

The celebration is said to have started during the Heian period (794-1185) when nobles celebrated the growth of their children. Over time, this tradition passed to the samurai class who added a number of their own rituals. Children who up until the age of three were required by Japanese custom to have shaved heads were allowed to grow their hair. Boys of age five could wear a hakama (袴) for the first time, while girls of age seven could tie their kimono with the traditional obi instead of simple cords. The practice became popular among commoners during the Edo period (1603-1868) with families visiting shrines to offer their prayers, and evolved to what it is today during the Meiji era (1868-1912).

Chitose-ame

After the visit to the shrine, parents usually buy special candy for the children called chitose-ame (longevity candy). Chitose-ame is long, thin, red and white candy. The character for chitose-ame is 千歳飴 and it literally means thousand year candy. Not that it is a thousand years old, but it symbolizes healthy growth and longevity. The candy is shaped like a stick and comes in a bag decorated with cranes and turtles, which both symbolize long life.

Chitose-ame from Gifu Gokoku Shrine

Milky Chitose-ame

Gifu Nobunaga Festival

The Gifu Nobunaga Festival is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of October. The festival honours the memory and feats of Oda Nobunaga, a samurai warlord who used Gifu City as a base on his mission to unify Japan during the warring states period (Sengoku Period). It is a celebration of his contribution towards the development of Gifu as a city and the legacy that he has left behind. The must see events are the memorial ceremony at Sofuku-ji Temple (Nobunaga’s family temple) and the samurai warrior parade down the main street.

Kogane Park Flea Market and Street Vendors 

There is also a large flea market as well as various street vendors selling all kinds of festival food and snacks.

Street Vendors

Samurai Warrior Parade 

The samurai warrior parade starts with a marching band followed by ceremonial matchlock rifle firing and then various groups and historical figures including warriors, ladies and generals and even Lord Nobunaga on horseback himself. The parade starts at 12:30 pm from Gifu Station and ends at around 14:20 pm when the last group reaches Gifu City Hall.

Gifu Nobunaga Festival Mascot ~ Oda Nobunyaga

Marching Band

Samurai Warriors

Some of the cast of heroes and historical figures include:

Oda Nobunaga was a major daimyo during the Sengoku period and was the initiator of the unification of Japan in the late 16th century.

Lord Oda Nobunaga

Luis Frois, was a Portuguese missionary who befriended Nobunaga in 1569 and wrote about the history of Japan on his travels.

Luis Frois

Lady No or Nohime was the wife of Oda Nobunaga, and was renowned for her beauty and cleverness.

Lady No (Nohime) 

Saito Dosan was a Japanese samurai who became the father-in-law of Oda Nobunaga.

Saito Dosan

Shibata Katsuie was a Japanese military commander who served Oda Nobunaga.

Shibata Katsuie

Oichi was the younger sister of Oda Nobunaga, and was equally renowned for her beauty and resolve as Nohime.

Oichi

Lady Go was Oda Nobunaga’s niece. 

Lady Go

Yamauchi Kazutoyo served as a general under Oda Nobunaga.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo

Kinoshita Tokichiro was also a general who served under Oda Nobunaga. He later became Toyotomi Hideyoshi when he succeeded his former master.

Kinoshita Tokichiro also known as Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Takenaka Hanbei, also known as Takenaka Shigeharu was a Japanese samurai, who is remembered as being a clever strategist.

Takenaka Hanbei also known as Takenaka Shigeharu

The Schedule of Events 

Saturday 
• Memorial Ceremony at Sofuku-ji Temple
• Musical Band Parade
• Kogane Park Flea Market

Sunday 
• Samurai Warrior Parade
• Musical Band Parade
• Citizen’s Carnival
• Kogane Park Flea Market

The samurai warrior parade is held along Nagarabashi Dori from Gifu Station to Gifu City Hall. One of the best places to view it from is the intersection at Wakamiya-cho.


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