Japanese Festival (matsuri) Food Explained
Mar 05, 2015 By Bert Wishart
The arrival of spring means only one thing in Japan: hanami. Hanami is a great time when people get together in parks all over the country to see the beautiful cherry blossoms. They gather with family, friends and coworkers to eat, drink and be merry. As with most Japanese matsuri (festivals),...[ Click to read more ]
Girls Day and Hina Matsuri Events in Nagoya and Aichi
Feb 23, 2015 By Ray Proper
March starts out with a holiday for girls. The aptly named “Girls Day” coincides with the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival), or Peach Blossom Festival, featuring a very traditional display of dolls. Complete doll sets will contain representations of the Emperor and Empress, three female attendants, five musicians, and assorted nobles...[ Click to read more ]
Hatsuhinode in Nagoya 2015
Dec 24, 2014 By Ray Proper
Among the many customs associated with "oshogatsu," or New Years, are a good many firsts; from the first trip to the shrine to the lesser practiced first tea ceremony of the year, New Years in Japan is about moving forward and marking the occasion. A popular first is the practice...[ Click to read more ]
The Floating Mikoshi of Miya Festival
Sep 29, 2014 By Bert Wishart
Miya Festival 2014 The Miya Festival is held annually on the third or fourth Sunday of October in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture. In 2014, this festival will take place on Sunday, October 26th 2014. Have you ever had a dream that resulted in the people of your town dragging immense...[ Click to read more ]
Want to take part in a traditional Japanese festival?
Sep 26, 2014 By Bert Wishart
No matter where in Japan you go, there always seems to be some festival or another going on. They vary in size from gatherings of hundreds of thousands of people to the smallest of local events, and not one of them is alike; except that they are all a marvel to...[ Click to read more ]
The Takasanji Oni Matsuri in Okazaki
Feb 01, 2013 By Ray Proper
The Takasanji Oni Matsuri (Ogre or fire festival) is held at Takasanji Temple every February on the Saturday closest to February 7th, New Year in the old Lunar Calendar in Japan. Part of the festival involves blessing the local 42, 25, and 12-year-old males; 3 are selected to participate in...[ Click to read more ]
Grand Festival of Hanazono Shrine in Tokyo
May 26, 2011 By Ray Proper
Hanazono Jinja Shrine is located in the Shinjuku business district of Tokyo. Shinjuku is probably the most famous town name in Tokyo, and the Hanazono Jinja has been used in Shinto worship since at least 1603; though the building is a of course not the same! The Grand Festival of...[ Click to read more ]
The Luckiest Man is at Tōka-Ebisu Festival in Hyogo Prefecture
Jan 11, 2011 By Ray Proper
Nishinomiya Jinja is a Shinto shrine in Nishinomiya, in Hyogo Prefecture near Kobe, Japan. Nishinomiya Jinja is the main shrine representing the Ebisu sect of the Shinto religion and its 3,500 shrines. It is known locally as "Ebessan," and more broadly as "Ebisu Jingu." Two parts of the shrine itself are of note historically: the front gate (omote-daimon),...[ Click to read more ]
Azabu Juban Festival in Tokyo
Aug 20, 2010 By Ray Proper
Summer is coming to an end, and with the passing of the season so goes the festival season. It is not too late to get in a last few weekends of fun though. This weekend, the Azabu Juban Festival will once again delight crowds from all over with the sights and sounds...[ Click to read more ]
The Nagara River National Fireworks Festival in Gifu
Aug 05, 2010 By Ray Proper
Round two for that bastion of fun by the river, Gifu City! The Nagara River National Fireworks Festival is held yearly on the first Saturday of August from 7:15 p.m.-8:45 p.m. For those who have lost track of time, that is this weekend! This is one of the largest fireworks...[ Click to read more ]
