Festivals & Heritage
Results by DATE
Displaying 1 to 20 of 86 results.
The small town of Chichibu, near Tokyo, is the annual venue for fireworks, traditional performing arts and a gorgeous action-packed parade of huge, illuminated floats in one of Japan's most…
Traditional performing arts have continuously been passed down since the 12th century at this elegant festival at the Kasuga Taisha Grand Shrine. Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri highlights the…
During the annual New Year Oga Namahage Festival, deities resembling demons go round visiting houses bringing good luck. They're also known for shouting out to children who are crying or…
Start the new year by casting away the past year's evil energy and making blessings of longevity at Kyoto's Okera-Mairi Festival. Held at the Yasaka-jinja Shrine, a ritual with Okera, the…
Achieving Zen in a tightly enclosed space is a Japanese spiritual achievement and really put to the test for O-Shogatsu, when Tokyo's inhabitants descend on their beloved temples en masse for…
The ritual Wakakusa Yamayaki burning of the grass on Wakakusa Hill, Nara, during which the whole 342-metre hill is set ablaze, is surely one of the most stunning sights of Japan's festival year.
Moja Okuri (Driving out the Devil)
The murky darkness of a cold January evening provides an ominous setting for two torch-bearing devils to tear around a twilight Sensoji Temple in this ancient ascetic ceremony.
The Togenuki Jizo Grand Festival makes the already bustling street of Jizo-dori even busier. Tokyo's elderly residents descend upon Koganji Temple to eat, gossip and browse the 200 market…
Not to be missed is the ritual burning of the grassy land in front of the Shiono Misaki Watchtower. Check out or, if you're brave enough, join the specatators walking through the fire as it…
Setsubun is a Japanese tradition that says "sayonara" to winter and "hello" to spring. At Tokyo's Senso-ji Temple, soybeans are thrown into the crowd during special ceremonies, an action…
Huge glittering ice sculptures transform Sapporo into a magical winter wonderland during the annual Snow Festival. Teams of professional artists from around the globe create the frosty…
During Hadaka Matsuri bare-bottomed men ensure their good luck by crowding the streets of Inazawa City in the hope of touching a naked man! Since 767 BC the Naked Man, aka Shin-otokoa, has…
Hana Matsuri (Buddha's Birthday)
Temples throughout Japan are packed during Hana Matsuri, as people gather to celebrate the birth of Buddha. It's a time to admire the flowers in the flower hall and pour sweet tea on the…
Cherry Blossoms at Yoshinoyama
Admiring the Hanami cherry blossoms at Yoshinoyama is a Japanese tradition that goes back centuries. With about 30,000 cherry trees covering the entire mountain, the vista is breathtaking.…
One of Japan's greatest and most beautiful festivals, dating back to the 15th century, the Takayama Matsuri is held twice a year in the city, once in spring and once in autumn.
The Yabusame Festival in Tokyo's Sumida Park is an impressive display of horseback archery, a traditional Japanese sport from Edo times. The fiendishly difficult activity sees jockeys in…
Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)
No flower has a greater place in the hearts of the Japanese than the cherry blossom - the national flower of Japan. During hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season there's an impressive display…
Kanda Matsuri is a vibrant religious festival in Tokyo's downtown Shitamachi area, held in honour of Kanda Myojin Shrine's deities (kami). Locals in traditional "happi coats" parade through…
Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival)
Step back in time at Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri - a graceful procession colourfully replicating Imperial celebrations of days gone by. More than 400 people dressed in period costumes follow behind…
During Mifune Matsuri, a procession of lavishly decorated boats carrying costumed courtiers, musicians and dancers makes its way down the Oi River in the Arashiyama area of Kyoto. The…
