INI

Traditional Japanese Festivals and Events - INI

Traditional Japanese festivals and events are important cultural heritage that reflect the history, culture, and beliefs of each region. Various festivals are held throughout Japan throughout the four seasons, including the Three Great Festivals of Japan (Kanda Matsuri, Gion Matsuri, Tenjin Matsuri), the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku (Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Akita Kanto Matsuri, Sendai Tanabata Matsuri), Awa Odori and Yosakoi Matsuri in Shikoku, and more. These festivals have evolved from religious ceremonies praying for the removal of epidemics and bountiful harvests, and now play an important role in regional revitalization and tourism promotion.

festival traditional culture Japan event tourism summer festival mikoshi float fireworks

[item.kanda-matsuri]
code=01
slug=kanda-matsuri
name=Kanda Matsuri
description=One of the Three Great Festivals of Edo held at Kanda Myojin in Tokyo.
category=Three Great Festivals of Japan
location=Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
period=Mid-May (Main festival in odd-numbered years)

[item.gion-matsuri]
code=02
slug=gion-matsuri
name=Gion Matsuri
description=Japan's largest summer festival held at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto.
category=Three Great Festivals of Japan
location=Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
period=July 1-31

[item.tenjin-matsuri]
code=03
slug=tenjin-matsuri
name=Tenjin Matsuri
description=The 'Festival of Fire and Water' held at Osaka Tenmangu.
category=Three Great Festivals of Japan
location=Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
period=July 24-25

[item.aomori-nebuta-matsuri]
code=04
slug=aomori-nebuta-matsuri
name=Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
description=One of the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku featuring giant lantern floats called 'nebuta.'
category=Three Great Festivals of Tohoku
location=Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
period=August 2-7

[item.akita-kanto-matsuri]
code=05
slug=akita-kanto-matsuri
name=Akita Kanto Matsuri
description=Featuring exquisite balancing skills with 'kanto' poles resembling rice ears.
category=Three Great Festivals of Tohoku
location=Akita City, Akita Prefecture
period=August 3-6

[item.sendai-tanabata-matsuri]
code=06
slug=sendai-tanabata-matsuri
name=Sendai Tanabata Matsuri
description=Japan's greatest Tanabata festival with gorgeous bamboo decorations coloring the city.
category=Three Great Festivals of Tohoku
location=Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
period=August 6-8

[item.awa-odori]
code=07
slug=awa-odori
name=Tokushima Awa Odori
description=One of the world's greatest Bon dances with approximately 400 years of history.
category=Three Great Bon Dances of Japan
location=Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture
period=August 12-15

[item.yosakoi-matsuri]
code=08
slug=yosakoi-matsuri
name=Yosakoi Matsuri
description=Kochi Prefecture's representative summer festival featuring dancing with naruko clappers.
category=Shikoku Festival
location=Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture
period=August 9-12

[item.hakata-gion-yamakasa]
code=09
slug=hakata-gion-yamakasa
name=Hakata Gion Yamakasa
description=The summer festival representing Hakata and the annual festival of Kushida Shrine.
category=Kyushu Festival
location=Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
period=July 1-15

[item.takayama-matsuri]
code=10
slug=takayama-matsuri
name=Takayama Matsuri
description=A festival featuring beautiful floats, consisting of the Spring Sanno Matsuri and Autumn Hachiman Matsuri.
category=Chubu Region Festival
location=Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
period=April 14-15, October 9-10