Japanese festivals

Japanese festivals, ormatsuri(Japanese:祭り), are traditional festive occasions often celebrated withdanceandmusicinJapan. The origin of the wordmatsuriis related to thekami(神,Shintodeities); there are theories that the wordmatsuriis derived frommatsu(待つ)meaning "to wait (for thekamito descend)",tatematsuru(献る)meaning "to make offerings to thekami", andmatsurau(奉う)meaning "to obey thekami".The theory that it is derived frommatsurauis the most popular.
It is estimated that there are between 100,000 and 300,000 festivals across Japan,generating an annual economic impact of 530 billion yen as of 2019.As of 2024, 33 of these festivals have been registered asUNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Listsas "Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan".Various folk dances, costume processions,kagura,dengaku,bugaku, andnohperformed at festivals are also registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.For example, 41 folk dances includingbon odorifrom various regions of Japan are registered as "Furyu-odori"and 10 costume processions includingnamahageare registered as "Raihō-shin".
Japanese festivals reflect the unique religious beliefs of the Japanese people, who worshiponryō(怨霊,vengeful spirits)and violentkami, based on the background of Japan's frequent natural disasters. Based on the syncretism ofShintoandBuddhism, Japanese people worship not only the spirits that inhabit all things and the souls of their ancestors, but also terrifyingonryōand violentkamithat protect people from epidemics and natural disasters. For example,Gion Matsuri,Tenjin Matsuri, andKanda Matsuri, which are considered the three major festivals in Japan, worship theonryōofGozu Tennō,Sugawara no Michizane, andTaira no Masakado, respectively, and pray for good health and protection from natural disasters. Since these festivals are held in urban areas, each attracts hundreds of thousands to over a million spectators each year.On the other hand, Gion Matsuri,Aoi Matsuri, andJidai Matsuriare considered the three major festivals inKyoto. Gion Matsuri attracts huge crowds to see the procession of hugedashi(山車, matsuri floats)andmikoshi(神輿, portable shrines), while Aoi Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri attract crowds to see the procession of people dressed in period costumes.
TheAomori Nebuta Matsuriand theTokushima Awa Odoriare large, historic festivals in local cities that attract more than 2 million visitors each year, and more than 1 million visitors each year, respectively.According to a 2022 survey, they ranked first and second, respectively, in recognition in Japan, with the Gion Matsuri in third place.
There are also many Japanese festivals in which thekamiare prayed to for a good harvest of rice and other crops. In agricultural festivals, different ceremonies are held in each of the four seasons, and festivals are classified into different types, such asotaue-matsuri(御田植祭)andaki-matsuri(秋祭り), according to their significance. In general, festivals held in the spring pray for a good harvest for the year, festivals held in the summer pray for rice and crops to be free from pests and storm damage, festivals held in the fall offer gratitude for the harvest, and festivals held in the winter pray for a good harvest in the new year.
Many secular and modern festivals are also held, with theSapporo Snow Festivalattracting 2.73 million visitors in 2019.
There are many Japanese festivals in which thekamiare prayed to for a good harvest of rice and other crops. These festivals are divided into various types according to their significance and ritual practices, the most representative of which are as follows. Typical spring festival practices areminakuchi-sai(水口祭)andotaue-matsuri(御田植祭). Inminakuchi-sai, on the day of planting, soil is piled at the water intake of the rice field , seasonal flowers and twigs are placed, andsakeand baked rice are offered to the mountainkami. Duringotaue-matsuri, young women calledsaotome(早乙女) enter the rice field to plant rice seedlings and pray for a good harvest. Typical summer festival practices aremushi okuri(虫送り)andamagoi(雨乞い). Inmushi okuri, torches are lit at night and straw dolls with pests tied to them are floated or thrown into the river to pray for the repulsion of pests, while inamagoi, dances are dedicated tokamiand fires are lit to pray for rain. The typical fall festival practices areniiname-sai(新嘗祭)andaki-matsuri(秋祭り). Inniiname-sai, new grains are offered to thekamiat the imperial court and atShinto shrinesthroughout Japan to thank them for the harvest, and inaki-matsuri, farmers in rural villages thank thekamiof the rice fields and send thekamiback to the mountains. The typical winter festival practices aresagichō or dondoyaki(左義長 or どんど焼き)andtaasobi(田遊び). Insagichoordondoyaki,kadomatsu(門松)and other New Year's decorations are burned andmochiare roasted and eaten over the flames, and intasaburi, farm work is simulated in the Shinto shrine hall(拝殿,haiden)to pray for the next year'skamiharvest.
Matsuri(祭)is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday. In Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a localshrineortemple, though they can be secular.
Festivals are often based around one event, with food stalls, entertainment, andcarnivalgames to keep people entertained.  Some are based around temples or shrines, others hanabi (fireworks), and still others around contests where the participants sport loin cloths (see:Hadaka Matsuri).
There are no 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 asSetsubunorObon. Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer/early autumn, usually related to the paddyharvest.
Notable matsuri often feature processions which may include elaboratefloats. Preparation for these processions is usually organized at the level of neighborhoods, or machi. Prior to these, the localkamimay be ritually installed inmikoshiand paraded through the streets.
One can always find in the vicinity of a matsuri booths selling souvenirs and food such astakoyaki, and games, such asGoldfish scooping.Karaokecontests,sumomatches, and other forms of entertainment are often organized in conjunction with matsuri. If the festival is next to a lake, renting a boat is also an attraction.
Favorite elements of the most popular matsuri, such as theNada no Kenka MatsuriofHimejior theNeputa MatsuriofHirosaki, are often broadcast on television for the entire nation to enjoy.
Sapporo Snow Festivalis one of the largest festivals of the year inSapporo, held in February for one week. It began in 1950 when high school students built snow statues in Odori Park, central Sapporo. The event is now very large and commercialized. About a dozen large sculptures are built for the festival along with around 100 smaller snow andice sculptures. Several concerts and other events are also held.
This lake festival is held in the beginning of February. Held in the town of Yasumiya, this festival is on the south side ofLake Towada(near the wooden statues). This festival is open all day, but at 5 pm one can enjoy activities such as going through a snow maze, exploring a Japanese igloo, and eat foods from Aomori and Akita prefectures. There is a fireworks show and events held on an ice stage.
This festival is held annually and features colorful lantern floats called nebuta which are pulled through the streets of Central Aomori. This festival is held from about August 2–7 every year. This event attracts millions of visitors. During this festival, 20 large nebuta floats are paraded through the streets near Aomori JR rail station. These floats are constructed of wooden bases and metal frames. Japanese papers, called washi, are painted onto the frames. These amazing floats are finished off with the historical figures or kabuki being painted on the paper. These floats can take up to a year to complete. There is a dance portion of this festival. There are haneto dancers and they wear special costumes for this dance. Everyone is welcome to purchase their own haneto costume that they may too join in on the fun (Mishima, Aomori Nebuta Festival).
This event is held every year. Thousands of artists from all over Tohoku and even further regions come to Nango to perform. This is the largest open-air jazz concert held in Tohoku region. This festival began in 1989, in a small venue indoors. There was such a large response from the fans that it was expanded into a large annual festival. One must purchase tickets for this event (Bernard, 2007). This summer jazz festival does not cost anything but potential members of the public still need to receive a ticket to enter the event.
Japan celebrates the entire season of the cherry blossoms. There are festivals in nearly every region of Japan, and some locations, food is available or a park may be decorated with lanterns.
Some locations of cherry blossom festivals include:
Following theJapanese diaspora, many places around the world celebrate similar festivals, often calledmatsuri.Brazilhosts thelargestnikkeipopulation in the worldand some Brazilian cities hostmatsurisuch asSão PauloandCuritiba.The United States host the2nd largestnikkeipopulation in the worldand some American cities hostmatsurisuch as Los Angeles,San Joseand Phoenix.Waleshas adopted the termmatsurito name their yearly drift festival. It uses the Japanese name to show the sports Japanese heritage. The event takes place over 2 days at the Anglesey Track, and has been annual for 6 years.
Date: January 1–3 (related celebrations take place throughout January)
Other Names: Oshōgatsu (O is an honorific prefix)
Information: New Year observances are the most elaborate of Japan's annual events. Before the New Year, homes are cleaned, debts are paid off, andosechi(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 try to stay awake and eattoshikoshi soba, noodles to be eaten at midnight. People also visit Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Traditionallythree are visited. This is calledsansha-mairi. In theImperial Palaceat dawn on the 1st, theEmperorperforms theriteofshihōhai(worship of the four-quarters), in which he offers prayers for the well-being of the nation. On January 2 the public is allowed to enter the inner palace grounds; the only other day this is possible is theEmperor's birthday(February 23). On the 2nd and 3rd days acquaintances visit one another to extend greetings (nenshi) and sipotoso(a spicedrice wine). Some games played at New Year's arekaruta(a card game),hanetsuki(similar to badminton), tako age (kiteflying), and komamawashi (spinning tops). These games are played to bring more luck for the year. ExchangingNew Year's greeting cards(similar toChristmas Cards) is another important Japanese custom. Also special allowances are given to children, which are calledotoshidama. They also decorate their entrances withkagami mochi(two mochi rice balls placed one on top of the other, with a tangerine on top), andkadomatsu(pine tree decorations).
A later New Year's celebration,Koshōgatsu, literally means "Small New Year" and starts with the first full moon of the year (around January 15). The main events of Koshōgatsu are rites and practices praying for a bountiful harvest.
Date: March 3
Other Names:Sangatsu Sekku(3rd month Festival),Momo Sekku(Peach Festival),Joshi no Sekku(Girls' Festival)
Information: This is the day when families pray for the happiness and prosperity of their girls to help ensure that they grow up healthy and beautiful. The celebration takes place both inside the home and at the seashore. Both parts are meant to ward off evil spirits from girls and women. Young girls and women put on their bestkimonoand visit their friends' homes. Tiered platforms forhina ningyō(hinadolls; 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 ofhishimochi(diamond-shaped rice cakes) andshirozake(rice malt with sake).
Date: April
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, as well as many drinking parties often to be seen in and around auspicious parks and buildings. In some areas the peach blossom, the traditional flower of Japan (the Cherry being a symbol from the Edo period symbolizing the Samurai culture), is viewed as well though these flowers earlier than the Cherry. 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 fine arts. Ikebana (flower arrangement) is also a popular part of Japanese culture and is still practiced by many people today. Some main things people do during this event are games, folk songs, folk dance, flower displays, rides, parades, concerts, kimono shows, booths with food and other things, beauty pageant, and religious ceremonies. Families go out during weekends to see the cherry blossoms, and participate in the many festivals and activities.
Date: April 8
Other Names: Flower FestivalInformation: Hanamatsuri celebrates the birth of theBuddha.  On this day, all temples hold 降誕会 (Gōtan-e), 仏生会 (Busshō-e), 浴仏会 (Yokubutsu-e), 龍華会 (Ryūge-e) and 花会式 (Hana-eshiki). Japanese people pourama-cha(a beverage prepared from a variety ofhydrangea) on small Buddha statues decorated with flowers, as if bathing a newborn baby. The tradition of bathing the Buddha originated in China and was introduced to Japan where it was first held inNarain 606.Lion dancingis also a major tradition practiced during Buddha's Birthday and has become associated with the festival in Japan.
Date: July 7 / August 5–8 (Sendai)
Other Names: The Star FestivalInformation: 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 did not rain and flood the Milky Way. It was named Tanabata after a weaving maiden from a Japanese legend, named Orihime who was believed to make clothes for the gods. People often write wishes and romantic aspirations on long, narrow strips of colored paper and hang them on bamboo branches along with other small ornaments.
Date: July 19
Information: One traditional custom to mark the end of the Bon Festival. Small paper lanterns containing a burning flame are either set afloat to a river, lake or sea or they are let go and float away into the night. Their light is intended to guide the way for deceased family members' spirits. Usually the person who lets the lantern go will write a message on the side.
Date: August 13–16
Information: A Buddhist observance honoring the spirits of ancestors. Usually a "spirit altar" (shōryōdana) is set up in front of theButsudan(buddhist altar) to welcome the ancestors' souls. A priest may be asked to come and read asutra(tanagyō). Among the traditional preparations for the ancestors' return are the cleaning of grave sites. The welcoming fire (mukaebi) built on the 13th and the send-off fire (okuribi) built on the 15th and 16th are intended to guide the ancestor's spirits back to their permanent dwelling place.
Date: October-
Information: The Japanese tradition of going to visitscenicareas whereleaveshave turned red in the Autumn.  The tradition is said to have originated in the Heian era as a cultured pursuit.
Date: November 11
Information: The Japanese tradition of buying and eatingPockysticks.
Date: November 15
Information: Three- and seven-year-old girls and five-year-old boys 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 buychitose-ame("thousand-year candy") sold at the shrine.
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 thetoshigami, or deity of the incoming year. These begin on December 13, 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.
Date: December 31 (New Year's Eve)
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 eattoshikoshi sobain the hope that one's family fortunes will extend like the long noodles.