TSV
Traditional Japanese Festivals and Events - TSV
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
code slug name description category location period
01 kanda-matsuri Kanda Matsuri One of the Three Great Festivals of Edo held at Kanda Myojin in Tokyo. Three Great Festivals of Japan Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Mid-May (Main festival in odd-numbered years)
02 gion-matsuri Gion Matsuri Japan's largest summer festival held at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto. Three Great Festivals of Japan Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture July 1-31
03 tenjin-matsuri Tenjin Matsuri The 'Festival of Fire and Water' held at Osaka Tenmangu. Three Great Festivals of Japan Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture July 24-25
04 aomori-nebuta-matsuri Aomori Nebuta Matsuri One of the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku featuring giant lantern floats called 'nebuta.' Three Great Festivals of Tohoku Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture August 2-7
05 akita-kanto-matsuri Akita Kanto Matsuri Featuring exquisite balancing skills with 'kanto' poles resembling rice ears. Three Great Festivals of Tohoku Akita City, Akita Prefecture August 3-6
06 sendai-tanabata-matsuri Sendai Tanabata Matsuri Japan's greatest Tanabata festival with gorgeous bamboo decorations coloring the city. Three Great Festivals of Tohoku Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture August 6-8
07 awa-odori Tokushima Awa Odori One of the world's greatest Bon dances with approximately 400 years of history. Three Great Bon Dances of Japan Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture August 12-15
08 yosakoi-matsuri Yosakoi Matsuri Kochi Prefecture's representative summer festival featuring dancing with naruko clappers. Shikoku Festival Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture August 9-12
09 hakata-gion-yamakasa Hakata Gion Yamakasa The summer festival representing Hakata and the annual festival of Kushida Shrine. Kyushu Festival Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture July 1-15
10 takayama-matsuri Takayama Matsuri A festival featuring beautiful floats, consisting of the Spring Sanno Matsuri and Autumn Hachiman Matsuri. Chubu Region Festival Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture April 14-15, October 9-10