Stalls selling food or toys are a familiar sight at festivals throughout Japan.

Gold and platinum plated mikoshi in Kichijōji.

Mikoshi Parade In Kamakura Japan 2007

Mikoshi Parade In Kamakura Japan 2007

This mikoshi enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Tōshō-gū in Nikkō. Participants carry the mikoshi during the spring and autumn matsuri of the shrine.

The procession of a thousand warriors is the highlight of the autumn festival at Toshogu in Nikko.

Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions. Some festivals have their roots in Chinese festivals but have undergone dramatic changes as they mixed with local customs. Image File history File links Stalls sell food at a festival in Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan). ... Image File history File links Stalls sell food at a festival in Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 1. ... This mikoshi enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Toshogu in Nikko A mikoshi (神輿、みこし) is a portable Shinto shrine that serves as the vehicle of a divine spirit in Japan at the time of a parade of deities. ... Kichijoji station The Temple in Inokashira park Cherry blossoms in Inokashira park, Kichijoji Isetan Entrance to Inokashira Park, Kichijoji Kichijōji (吉祥寺) is a neighborhood in the city of Musashino in Tokyo, Japan. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Kamakura can refer to: Kamakura, Kanagawa, a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan The Kamakura Shogunate The Kamakura period in the History of Japan The Kamakura family name in Japan Kamakura Great Buddha, the Great Buddha of Kamakura Kamakura, a fictional character from the G.I. Joe series Category: ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Kamakura can refer to: Kamakura, Kanagawa, a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan The Kamakura Shogunate The Kamakura period in the History of Japan The Kamakura family name in Japan Kamakura Great Buddha, the Great Buddha of Kamakura Kamakura, a fictional character from the G.I. Joe series Category: ... Mikoshi Nikko Tochigi Prefecture Japan Toshogu Shinto shrine I took this photograph and contribute it to the public domain. ... Mikoshi Nikko Tochigi Prefecture Japan Toshogu Shinto shrine I took this photograph and contribute it to the public domain. ... This mikoshi enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Toshogu in Nikko A mikoshi (神輿、みこし) is a portable Shinto shrine that serves as the vehicle of a divine spirit in Japan at the time of a parade of deities. ... Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu The Tokugawa clan crest This is a Japanese name; the family name is Tokugawa Tokugawa Ieyasu (previously spelled Iyeyasu) January 31, 1543 – June 1, 1616) was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until... Yomeimon at Nikkō Tōshō-gū Tōshō-gū (東照宮) is any Shinto shrine in which Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the last shogunate of Japan, is enshrined with the name Tōshō Dai Gongen. ... Great Gate, Nikko, circa 1860-1900. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (850x638, 290 KB) The highlight of the autumn festival at the Toshogu, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (850x638, 290 KB) The highlight of the autumn festival at the Toshogu, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ... A festival is an event, usually staged by a local community, which centers on some unique aspect of that community. ... A festival is an event, usually staged by a local community, which centers on some unique aspect of that community. ...

Some are so different that they do not even remotely resemble the original festival despite sharing the same name and date. There are also various local festivals (e.g. Tobata Gion) that are mostly unknown outside a given prefecture. It is commonly said that you will always find a festival somewhere in Japan. ...

Unlike most people of East Asian descent, Japanese people generally do not celebrate Chinese New Year (it having been supplanted by the Western New Year's Day in the late 19th century); although Chinese residents in Japan still do. In Yokohama Chinatown, Japan's biggest Chinatown, tourists from all over Japan come to enjoy the festival. And similarly the Nagasaki Lantern Festival is based in Nagasaki's China town. See: Japanese New Year. Chinese New Year (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), or Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. ... This article is about January 1 in the Gregorian calendar. ... Yokohama Chinatowns Goodwill Gate Yokohama Chinatowns East Gate Temple in Yokohama Chinatown Yokohama Chinatown (Japanese: 横浜中華街, yokohama chÅ«kagai; Traditional Chinese: 橫濱中華街; Mandarin Pinyin: ; Cantonese Jyutping: Waang4 ban1 zung1 waa4 gaai1) is located on Yokohama, Japan. ... Nagasaki ) ( ) is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan. ... The kadomatsu is a traditional decoration for the new year holiday. ...

Events within Festivals

Festivals are often based around one or two main events, with food stalls, entertainment, and carnival games to keep people entertained. Some are based around portable shrines, others hana-bi (Fireworks), and still others around contests where the participants sport loin cloths (see: Hadaka Matsuri). Hana-bi (花火 Hanabi) is a 1997 film starring, written, directed by Japanese filmmaker Takeshi Kitano. ... Participants receiving purification by water at the naked festival at Saidaiji in Okayama A hadaka matsuri hadakamatsuri ) (lit. ...

Local Festivals (Matsuri)

Matsuri (祭, Matsuri^?) is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday. In Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple, though they can be secular. A festival is an event, usually staged by a local community, which centers on some unique aspect of that community. ... For other uses, see Holiday (disambiguation). ... A Jinja (Japanese: 神社) is a Shinto shrine including its surrounding natural area but it is more common to refer to buildings as a jinja. ... Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya Buddhist temples, monasteries, stupas, and pagodas sorted by location. ... This article concerns secularity, that is, being secular, in various senses. ...

There are not specific matsuri days for all of Japan; dates vary from area to area, and even within a specific area, but festival days do tend to cluster around traditional holidays such as Setsubun or Obon. Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer/early autumn, usually related to the rice harvest. Setsubun, Tokuan shrine In Japan, Setsubun (節分) is the day before the beginning of each season. ... Illuminated by the Albuquerque Bridge, Japanese volunteers place candle lit lanterns into the Sasebo River during the Obon festival. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Look up Harvest in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Notable matsuri often feature processions which may include elaborate floats. Preparation for these processions is usually organized at the level of neighborhoods, or machi. Prior to these, the local kami may be ritually installed in mikoshi and paraded through the streets. “Megami” redirects here. ... This mikoshi enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Toshogu in Nikko A mikoshi (神輿、みこし) is a portable Shinto shrine that serves as the vehicle of a divine spirit in Japan at the time of a parade of deities. ...

One can always find in the vicinity of a matsuri booths selling souvenirs and food such as takoyaki, and games, such as snatching goldfish. Karaoke contests, sumo matches, and other forms of entertainment are often organized in conjunction with matsuri. A Boat of Takoyaki Square takoyaki pan with 16 molds Takoyaki ) (literally fried or baked octopus) is a popular Japanese dumpling made of batter, diced octopus, tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, konnyaku, and green onion, topped with okonomiyaki sauce, green laver (aonori), mayonnaise, and katsuobushi (fish shavings), originated in Osaka. ... A karaoke machine Karaoke 空 kara, empty or void, and オーケストラ ōkesutora, orchestra) pronounced ;   is a form of entertainment in which an amateur singer or singers sing along with recorded music on microphone. ... The references in this article would be clearer with a different and/or consistent style of citation, footnoting or external linking. ...

Favorite elements of the most popular matsuri, such as the Nada Kenka Matsuri of Himeji or the Neputa Matsuri of Hirosaki, are often broadcast on television for the entire nation to enjoy. Himeji (Japanese: 姫路市, Himeji-shi) is a city located in Hyōgo prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. ... Hirosaki (弘前市; -shi) is a city located in Aomori in Tohoku region of Japan. ...

Some examples of famous matsuri are the Jidai, Aoi and Gion Matsuri held in Kyoto; Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka; and the Kanda, Sanno and Sanja Matsuri of Tokyo. Especially, Gion Matsuri, Tenjin Matsuri, and Kanda Matsuri are three most famous Matsuri in Japan. The Kyoto Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Ages) is held annually in Kyoto, Japan on October 22. ... The Aoi Matsuri (Festival) in Kyoto The Aoi Matsuri (葵祭り) is a festival that takes place annually on May 15 in Kyoto, Japan. ... People and floats fill the streets at the Gion Matsuri. ... Kyoto )   is a city in the central part of the island of HonshÅ«, Japan. ... Tenjin may be: Tenjin, the Shinto kami of scholarship. ... Osaka )   is a city in Japan, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of HonshÅ«. The city is the capital of Osaka Prefecture. ... Festival at Kanda Myojin Kanda (神田) is a district in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. ... The Sanja Festival ) is one of the Three Great Festivals of Edo (present day Tokyo), along with the Kanda Festival and Sanno Festival, and is known as one of the wildest. ...   , literally Eastern capital) is a unique subnational administrative region of Japan with characteristics of both a prefecture and a city. ... People and floats fill the streets at the Gion Matsuri. ... Tenjin may be: Tenjin, the Shinto kami of scholarship. ...

Nationwide Festivals

Fixed days

• Seijin Shiki : Coming of Age Day (second Monday of January)
• Hinamatsuri : Doll Festival (3 March)
• Hanami : Flower Viewing (late March to early April)
• Tanabata : star festival (7 July)
• Shichi-Go-San: festival day for children aged three, five and seven (15 November)
• Ōmisoka : New Year's Eve (31 December)

Seijin shiki (成人式) is the Japanese coming-of-age ceremony. ... Seven-tiered Hina doll set The Japanese Doll Festival ), or Girls Day, is held March 3, the third day of the third month. ... is the 62nd day of the year (63rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Hanami parties along the Kamo River. ... People dressed in yukata at Tanabata Tanabata ), meaning Seven Evenings) is a Japanese star festival, derived from Obon traditions and the Chinese star festival, Qi Xi. ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Japanese girls at a shrine, dressed up for the Shichi-Go-San festival Shichi-Go-San (七五三, literally seven-five-three) is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for three and seven year-old girls and three and five year-old boys, held annually on November 15. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Ōmisoka ), New Years Eve, is the second-most important day in Japanese tradition because it is the final day of the old year and the eve of New Years Day, likewise the most important day of the year. ... is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Multiple days

• Setsubun : division of season (beginning of each season (spring, summer, autumn, winter))
• Ennichi : temple fair (holy days related to Kami and/or Buddha)

Setsubun, Tokuan shrine In Japan, Setsubun (節分) is the day before the beginning of each season. ... Ennichi (縁日; lit. ...

Bunkasai

• Japanese Cultural Festival

Most schools in Japan, from junior high schools to universities, hold an annual event called a Cultural Festival (文化祭 bunkasai) at which their students display their everyday achievements. ...

New Year (正月, Shōgatsu)^?)

Date: 1st-3rd of January (though related celebrations take place throughout January) The kadomatsu is a traditional decoration for the new year holiday. ...

Other Names: Oshōgatsu (O is an honorific prefix)

Information: New Year observances are the most important and elaborate of Japan's annual events. Before the New Year, homes are cleaned, debts are paid off, and osechi (food in lacquered trays for the New Year) is prepared or bought. Osechi foods are traditional foods which are chosen for their lucky colors, shapes, or lucky-sounding names in hopes of obtaining good luck in various areas of life during the new year. Homes are decorated and the holidays are celebrated by family gatherings, visits to temples or shrines, and formal calls on relatives and friends. The first day of the year (ganjitsu) is usually spent with members of the family.

People also visit Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Traditionally three shrines or temples are visited. This is called sansha-mairi. In the Imperial Palace at dawn on the 1st of January, the emperor performs the rite of shihōhai(worship of the four quarters),in which he does reverence in the direction of various shrines and imperial tombs and offers prayers for the well-being of the nation. On January 2nd the public is allowed to enter the inner palace grounds; the only other day this is possible is the emperor's birthday (December 23). On the 2nd and 3rd days acquaintances visit one another to extend greetings (nenshi) and sip otoso (a spiced rice wine). Some games played at New Year's are karuta (a card game) and hanetsuki (similar to badminton). Exchanging New Year's greeting cards (similar to Christmas Cards in Western countries) is another important Japanese custom. December 23 is the 357th day of the year (358th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Karuta , loaned from the Portuguese word meaning card (carta)) is a Japanese card game. ... Hanetsuki (羽根突き, 羽子突き) is a Japanese traditional game, similar to badminton, played with a rectangular wooden paddle, called a hagoita, and a brightly-coloured shuttlecock. ...

A later New Year's celebration, Koshōgatsu, literally means "Small New Year" and starts with the first full moon of the year (around January 15th). The main events of Koshōgatsu are rites and practices praying for a bountiful harvest.

Doll Festival (雛祭り, Hina Matsuri^?)

Date: 3rd of March A king doll, with two handmaidens. ...

Other Names: Sangatsu Sekku (3rd month Festival), Momo Sekku (Peach Festival), Joshi no Sekku (Girls Festival)

Information: This holiday is also known as the Peach Festival because peach blossoms herald the coming of spring and are the symbol of courage and feminine beauty. Young girls put on their kimonos and visit the homes of their friends. Tiered platforms for hina ningyō (hina dolls; a set of dolls representing the emperor, empress, attendants, and musicians in ancient court dress) are set up in the home, and the family celebrates with a special meal of hishimochi (diamond-shaped rice cakes) and shirozake (rice malt with sake). Binomial name (L.) Batsch Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ...

Hanami (花見, Hanami^?)

Hanami party along Sakai river in Beppu, Oita

Date: April Hanami parties along the Kamo River. ... Hanami parties along the Kamo River. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 536 pixelsFull resolution (2240 × 1500 pixel, file size: 732 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) ( ) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 536 pixelsFull resolution (2240 × 1500 pixel, file size: 732 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) ( ) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Other Names: Hanami (flower viewing), Cherry Blossom Festival

Information: Various flower festivals are held at Shinto shrines during the month of April. Excursions and picnics for enjoying flowers, particularly cherry blossoms are also common. In some places flower viewing parties are held on traditionally fixed dates. This is one of the most popular events during spring. The subject of flower viewing has long held an important place in literature, dance and the fine arts. Ikebana (flower arrangement) is also a popular part of Japanese culture and is still practiced by many people today.

Boy's Day (子供の日, Kodomo no hi^?)

Date: 5th of May a special day just for you lucky boys out their in peaceful,beautiful Japan Koinobori (The top, large carp is considered as a father, the second, red carp as a mother, and the third, little carp as a child. ...

Other Names: Iris Festival (Shōbu no Sekku, 菖蒲の節句^?), Tango Festival (Tango no Sekku, 端午の節句^?)

Information: May is the month of the Iris Festival. The tall-stemmed Japanese iris is a symbolic flower. Its long, narrow leaves resemble the sharp blades of a sword, and for many centuries it has been the custom to place iris leaves in a boy's bath to give him a martial spirit. Originally May 5th was a festival for boys corresponding to the Doll Festival, for girls, but in 1948 it was renamed Children's Day and made a national holiday. However, this might be a misnomer; the symbols of courage and strength mainly honor boys. It is customary on this day for families with male children to fly koinobori (carp streamers, a symbol of success) outside the house, display warrior dolls (musha ningyō) inside, and eat chimaki (rice cakes wrapped in cogan grass or bamboo leaves) and kashiwamochi (rice cakes filled with bean paste and wrapped in oak leaves).

Tanabata (七夕, Tanabata^?)

Date: 7th of July People dressed in yukata at Tanabata Tanabata ), meaning Seven Evenings) is a Japanese star festival, derived from Obon traditions and the Chinese star festival, Qi Xi. ... People dressed in yukata at Tanabata Tanabata ), meaning Seven Evenings) is a Japanese star festival, derived from Obon traditions and the Chinese star festival, Qi Xi. ...

Other Names: The Star Festival Information: It originated from a Chinese folk legend concerning two stars-the Weaver Star (Vega) and the Cowherd Star (Altair)-who were said to be lovers who could meet only once a year on the 7th night of the 7th month provided it didn't rain and flood the Milky Way. It was named Tanabata after a weaving maiden from a Japanese legend who was believed to make clothes for the gods. People often write wishes and romantic aspirations on long, narrow strips of coloured paper and hang them on bamboo branches along with other small ornaments.

Bon Festival (盆, bon^?)

Date: 13th-15th of August Illuminated by the Albuquerque Bridge, Japanese volunteers place candle lit lanterns into the Sasebo River during the Obon festival. ...

Other Names: urabon (盂蘭盆, urabon^?)

Information: A Buddhist observance honoring the spirits of ancestors. Usually a "spirit altar" (shōryōdana) is set up in front of the Butsudan (buddhist family altar) to welcome the ancestors' souls. A priest is usually asked to come and read a sutra (tanagyō). Among the traditional preparations for the ancestors' return are the cleaning of grave sites and preparing a path from them to the house and the provision of straw horses or oxen for the ancestors' transportation. The welcoming fire (mukaebi) built on the 13th and the send-off fire (okuribi) built on the 16th are intended to light the path.

Lantern Floating (灯篭流し, Tōrō Nagashi^?)

Date: 15th or 16th of July (August)

Information: The customary practice to mark the end of the Bon Festival. Small paper lanterns containing lighted candles are floated on rivers or the sea light the way for the ancestral spirits as they depart. Usually a message is written on the outside of the paper lantern.

Chrysanthemum Festival (菊の節句, Kiku no Sekku^?)

Date: 9th of September

Other Names: 重陽の節句 (Chōyō no Sekku, 重陽の節句^?)

Information: Now the least celebrated of the five sekku or seasonal celebrations. The chrysanthemum is a flower of special importance to the Japanese. The 16-petaled chrysanthemum is the imperial crest. Every year in September the Chrysanthemum Festival takes place. Hundreds of species of this flower developed by the Japanese are on display. An even more interesting part of this festival is the Chrysanthemum Doll Fete. Lifelike clay figures are dressed in robes made of fresh chrysanthemums. They are arranged as parts of legendary and historical scenes.

"7-5-3" Festival (七五三, Shichigosan^?)

Date: 15th of November Japanese girls at a shrine, dressed up for the Shichi-Go-San festival Shichi-Go-San (七五三, literally seven-five-three) is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for three and seven year-old girls and three and five year-old boys, held annually on November 15. ...

Information: Five-year-old boys and seven- or three-year-old girls are taken to the local shrine to pray for their safe and healthy future. This festival started because of the belief that children of certain ages were especially prone to bad luck and hence in need of divine protection. Children are usually dressed in traditional clothing for the occasion and after visiting the shrine many people buy chitose-ame ("thousand-year candy") sold at the shrine.

Preparation for the New Year and Year-end Fair

Date: late December

Other Names: Year-end (年の瀬, toshi no se^?),Year-end Fair (年の市, Toshi no Ichi^?)

Information: Preparations for seeing in the new year were originally undertaken to greet the toshigami, or deity of the incoming year. These began on the 13th of December, when the house was given a thorough cleaning; the date is usually nearer the end of the month now. The house is then decorated in the traditional fashion: A sacred rope of straw (shimenawa) with dangling white paper strips (shide) is hung over the front door to prevent evil spirits from entering and to show the presence of the toshigami. It is also customary to place kadomatsu, an arrangement of tree sprigs, beside the entrance way. A special altar, known as toshidana ("year shelf"), is piled high with kagamimochi (flat, round rice cakes), sake (rice wine), persimmons, and other foods in honor of the toshigami. A fair is traditionally held in late December at shrines, temples or in local neighborhoods. This is in preparation for the new year holidays. Decorations and sundry goods are sold at the fair. Originally these year-end fairs provided opportunities for farmers, fisherfolk and mountain dwellers to exchange goods and buy clothes and other necessities for the coming year.

Ōmisoka (大晦日, Ōmisoka^?)

Date: 31st December New Years Eve is December 31, the final day of the Gregorian year, and the day before New Years Day. ...

Information: People do the general house cleaning (Ōsōji) to welcome coming year and not to keep having impure influences. Many people visit Buddhist temples to hear the temple bells rung 108 times at midnight (joya no kane). This is to announce the passing of the old year and the coming of the new. The reason they are rung 108 times is because of the Buddhist belief that human beings are plagued by 108 earthly desires or passions (bonnō). With each ring one desire is dispelled. It is also a custom to eat toshikoshi soba ("year-crossing noodles") in the hope that one's family fortunes will extend like the long noodles.

See also

• Culture of Japan
• Naked festival
• Japanese calendar

The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the years, from the countrys original Jomon culture to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America. ... Participants receiving purification by water at the naked festival at Saidaiji in Okayama A hadaka matsuri hadakamatsuri ) (lit. ... Koinobori, flags decorated like koi, are popular decorations around Childrens Day This mural on the wall of a Tokyo subway station celebrates Hazuki, the eighth month. ...

External links

• Official sites
  • web-japan.org::festivals::kyoto-jidai-matsuri
  • Japan National Tourist Organization (photo library)
• Matsuri sites
  • Matsuri Festival in Montreal
  • Matsuri Festival in Phoenix, Arizona
  • Matsuri Photos of Shinto Shrine(English version)
• Private initiative sites/galleries
  • JCITI.COM about Nagoya, see festivals section.
  • Reggie.net photographs of Neputa floats in Hirosaki.
  • [1] Photographs and description of the Odawara Omatsuri.
  • The Digital Matsuri Project Japanese festival videos

Nagoya ) is the fourth largest city in Japan. ... Hirosaki (弘前市; -shi) is a city located in Aomori in Tohoku region of Japan. ... Categories: Cities in Kanagawa Prefecture | Japan geography stubs ...

Reference

• mothra.rerf.or.jp::hiroshima::about matsuri an external article covering the topic
• Matsuri Food an article about the various foods available at most matsuri