Festivals (Matsuri)

There are countless local festivals (matsuri) in Japan because almost every shrine celebrates one of its own. Most festivals are held annually and celebrate the shrine's deity or a seasonal or historical event. Some festival are held over several days.

Festival Floats

Mikoshi

An important element of Japanese festivals are processions, in which the local shrine's kami (Shinto deity) is carried through the town in mikoshi (palanquins). It is the only time of the year when the kami leaves the shrine to be carried around town.

Many festivals also feature decorated floats (dashi), which are pulled through the town, accompanied by drum and flute music by the people sitting on the floats. Every festival has its own characteristics. While some festivals are calm and meditative, many are energetic and noisy.

Below follows an incomplete list of some of Japan's most famous festivals and celebrations. Exact dates are available on the event calendar.


One week in early February
Sapporo Snow Festival
Sapporo, Hokkaido
Large snow and ice sculptures are built in the city's centrally located Odori Park during the Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri).

March 1-14
Omizutori
Nara
Omizutori is a Buddhist religious service rather than a festival, held every year at the Nigatsudo Hall of Todaiji Temple. The most spectacular among its many ceremonies, is the nightly burning of torches on the balcony of the wooden temple hall.

April 14-15 and October 9-10
Takayama Matsuri
Takayama, Gifu
Large and elaborately decorated floats are pulled through the old town of Takayama. Held in spring and autumn.

Weekend in mid May
Sanja Matsuri
Asakusa, Tokyo
The festival of Asakusa Shrine, the Sanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo's three big festivals. Mikoshi are carried through the streets of Asakusa.

July
Kyoto Gion Matsuri
Kyoto
The festival of Yasaka Shrine, Gion Matsuri is ranked as one of Japan's three best festivals, featuring over 20 meter tall festival floats. The highlight of the festival takes place on July 17.

August 2-7
Nebuta Matsuri
Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
The Nebuta Matsuri features festival floats with huge lanterns, some measuring more than 10 meters. The festival attracts several million visitors every year.

August 3-6
Kanto Matsuri
Akita City, Akita Prefecture
Over two hundred long bamboo poles with up to 46 lanterns attached to each are balanced by the members of this popular festival's nightly parades.

August 12-15
Awa Odori
Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture
This is the most famous of many traditional dancing festivals held across Japan during the obon season in mid August.

October 7-9
Nagasaki Kunchi
Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
The festival of Nagasaki's Suwa Shrine, the Nagasaki Kunchi features Chinese style dragons and floats shaped like ships.

October 22
Jidai Matsuri
Kyoto
A spectacular historical parade which covers the over 1000 years during which Kyoto served as Japan's capital. The procession leads from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine.

December 2-3
Chichibu Yomatsuri
Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture
The Chichibu Night Festival is considered one of Japan's three best festivals featuring large festival floats (yatai). The festival's highlight takes place in the evening of December 3.