Festivals are celebrated all around the world to commemorate something significant in their respective countries, cities, or towns. Many people look forward to such festivals to show appreciation of what the festivity is all about. Usually, there are lively dances, colorful decorations, beautiful songs, or traditional rituals present during the festival. Every country has its own version of what a festival should look like and how it should be celebrated. If one is looking for something different and interesting at the same time, then look no further than Japan.
The Meaning Behind Matsuri
Festivals in Japan are definitely a must-see, especially for tourists visiting the country for the first time. Also known as “matsuri” in Japanese, nationwide and local festivals in Japan happen all year round. The Japanese people have positively found a lot of things to celebrate about; there are even festivals that are considered as national holidays in the country every year. It is clearly seen from these festivals the tradition and culture that has long been present from hundreds of years ago. If one is not familiar with the matsuris in Japan, it can be quite confusing because of the numerous festivities they hold every year in various locations in the country. Not only that, but there are also distinct rituals, clothing, and food that have to be considered depending on the festival being celebrated. Having an idea on these matsuris would be really helpful in order to somehow understand what these festivals are all about and to fully enjoy the experience of being a part of these matsuris. After all, matsuris can be found almost anywhere in Japan.
Nationwide Festivals Celebrated in Japan
While there are several famous festivals that are being held only in certain cities and prefectures in the country, one must first get to know the matsuris that are celebrated nationwide. Every Japanese person is aware of at least one of these festivals, if not all, and has experienced them firsthand once in their life. It starts off with the New Year’s festival or the Shōgatsu, which begins on the 1st day of January and ends on the 3rd day. The first day of the New Year is also a national holiday, known as the ganjitsu. The Shōgatsu is among the most elaborate festivals in Japan, as it commemorates the beginning of another fruitful year for the Japanese. For the first day of this festival, visiting three Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines is done, known as the sansha-mairi. It is also important to note that during this day, the inner palace grounds of the Imperial Palace is open to the public; the only other day that it is open is on the Emperor’s birthday, which is on the 23rd of December. On the second and third days, greetings are extended and a spiced rice wine called otoso is sipped. Games played during this event include a card game called karuta, hanetsuki, kite-flying called tako age, and komamawashi, which are essentially spinning tops.
Another festival celebrated nationwide is the Seijin Shiki. Also known as Coming of Age Day or Adult’s Day, it is a Japanese holiday that aims to congratulate the young people who turned or will turn 20 years old from the 2nd of April of last year to the 1st if April of the present year. Recognized as reaching the age of maturity, this matsuri aims to help the young adults realize that they have officially become adults and what are the responsibilities expected of them from then on. Coming of Age ceremonies are held every year in the local and prefectural offices throughout Japan. It was originally celebrated every 15th of January, but the date was changed to every second Monday of January due to the Happy Monday System back in the year 2000. Several women wear kimono with furisode style and zōri sandals while men wear either the traditional dark kimono with hakama or formal western style of suit and tie to commemorate the event.
An interesting festival especially interesting for women is the Hinamatsuri. Also known as the Japanese Doll Festival, Doll’s Day, or Girls’ Day, it is a special day in the country that is celebrated every 3rd of March every year. This matsuri can be traced back to the Jeian period, where there was a custom of setting straw hina dolls afloat on a boat sailing from the river to the sea. Called hina-nagashi, it was believed that these dolls would take the bad luck and misfortune with them. Nowadays, dolls are displayed in as early as February and taken down right after the festival, as it is believed that leaving them past the 4th of March will cause the marriage of the family’s daughter to be late. Foods served during this festival include small crackers called hina-arare, diamond-shaped colored rice cakes called hishimochi, and sushi rice called chirashizushi.
A matsuri celebrated especially for the children of Japan is the Shichi-Go-San Festival. Directly translating to Seven-Five-Three Festival, this matsuri is a traditional rite of passage for girls aged three and seven and for boys aged three and five. Held every 15th of November annually, the Shichi-Go-San is celebrated for the growth and well-being of the children. Like the hinamatsuri, the Shichi-Go-San can also be traced back to the Heian Period, where court nobles commemorated the passage of the children in their family to middle childhood.
Other festivals celebrated nationwide include Setsubun or the Bean-Throwing Festival on the 3rd of February to celebrate the beginning of Spring Festival and Ennichi to visit temples and shrines that are believed to bring good luck.
Omikoshi Matsuri or Omatsuri: The Three Famous Shinto Festivals of Tokyo
One of the major ethnic religions in Japan is Shinto. Also known as kami-no-michi, Shinto can be traced back up to the 8th century. Many shrines and rituals are based on the religion of Shinto. There are also matsuris that focus on the Shinto tradition, known as Omikoshi matsuri or Omatsuri for short. The term Omikoshi is actually a transportable Shinto monument for the gods and spirits. Japanese people carry the Omikoshi during festivals. There are three famous festivals in Tokyo that are based on Shinto, namely, the Fukagawa Matsuri, the Kanda Matsuri, and the Sannō Matsuri.
The Fukagawa Matsuri is celebrated by the Tomioka Hachiman Shrine every year since the year 1642. Held in mid-August, anyone can be part of this festival in Koto, Tokyo. On the other hand, the Kanda Matsuri dates back to early 17th century to commemorate the Tokugawa Ieyasu’s victory during the battle of Sekigahara. This festival is celebrated on the Saturday and Sunday that are closest to the 15th of May every odd-numbered year. It also honors the kami of the Kanda Myojin. Last but certainly not the least is Sannō Matsuri, which is held in June every year. A procession called Shinkosai is included in the celebration every even-numbered year.
Hanami: A Matsuri on Flower Viewing in Japan
Probably the most famous flower in all of Japan is the cherry blossom or the sakura. The country celebrates the entire season of when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Not only are they well known in Japan, but also in the world. They are so beautiful that Japan even has festivals just for the flower viewing, known as Hanami. It is a traditional custom in Japan to hold festivals just to enjoy the ephemeral beauty of the cherry blossoms. They take place either during daytime under the sakura tree or at night with temporary paper lanterns to add that romantic touch.
Festivals to check out to get the full experience include Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival in Okinawa from late January to mid-February; Matsuyama Shiroyama Koen Cherry Blossom Festival in early April in Matsuyama City, Ehima; Matsue Jozan Koen Festival in Matsue City, Shimane from late March to early April, and Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival in Hirosaki Koen Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture from late April to early May.
Local Festivals: Get to Know the Different Matsuris in Japan
Not only are nationwide festivals well known in Japan, but also local festivals. Some of them are so famous that tourists from all over the world actually set dates of their visits just to catch that specific festival and be immersed in the culture and tradition. Among the most prominent matsuris is the Sapporo Snow Festival, also known as Sapporo Yuki Matsuri, held in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Celebrated for a week in early February, it is one of the most widely known winter events in the country. It began with high school students building a number of snow statues in Odori Park back in the year 1950 and has developed since into a huge, commercialized event with three staging sites: the Odori Site, Susukino Site, and Tsu Dome Site. It has definitely made a name for itself as one of the must-visits in Japan.
A great contender is the Gion Matsuri or the festival of Yasaka Shrine in Tokyo. Unlike the previous festival mentioned, the Gion Matsuri is held not just for a week, but for an entire month! According to an online Japanese platform, Tsunagu Japan, this matsuri is “one of the most famous, biggest and the most historic festivals in Japan.” There are several events that take place throughout the festival, but the grand procession of floats, known as the Yamaboko Junko, is held on the 17th of July. The word Yamaboko stands for the 23 yama and the 10 hoko, both decorated in detail to represent distinct themes. The hoko stands up to 25 meters tall and weighs up to 12 tons, making it really impressive. The festival’s history traces back to 869 wherein it was held to placate the gods during the time of the outbreak of an epidemic. Until today, the practice continues wherein a local boy is selected to be the divine messenger who is not allowed to set foot on the ground from the 13th of July until the end of his parade through town on the 17th.
Ranked among the top three festivals in the country is the Tenjin Matsuri held in Osaka every 24th and 25th of July. The festival dates back to the 10th century and commemorates its principle deity of scholarship, Sugawara Michizane. This festival of the Tenmangu Shrine begins with a ritual on the morning of the first day. Prayers for peace, safety, and prosperity of Osaka are made at the river and drums are beaten in the afternoon to let everyone know that preparations for the festival on the second day have been completed. A land procession is then held on the second day, which consists of characters in costume including a man dressed as Sarutahiko, a ceremonial float, festival music, and lion dancers. Next would be the river procession and then followed by fireworks at night.
A unique festival is the Kanto Matsuri held in Akita City, Akita Prefecture. Celebrated from the 3rd to the 6th of August every year, this festival is related to Tanabata, also known as the star festival. What makes this matsuri different from the others is the amazing display of skill when it comes to the performers balancing kanto or long bamboo poles with arrangements of paper lanterns at the top. The kanto poles vary in sizes with the tallest standing 12 meters high and weighing 50 kilograms. These kanto poles can carry as many as 46 paper lanterns, all with real lit candles. Several techniques are used to balance these kanto poles and watching them perform such task can just leave one in awe. The main event of this matsuri is the Night Parades wherein several performing groups, once a signal is given, simultaneously raise up as many as 250 kanto poles. With all the lit paper lanterns at night, it is definitely a sight to see.
Other matsuris to check out include Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture; Awa Odori in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture; Yokote Kamakura Festival in Yokote, Akita Prefecture; Omizutori in Nara; Takayama Matsuri in Takayama, Gifu; Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto; Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa, Tokyo; Hakata Gion Yamakasa in Fukuoka; Nagasaki Kunchi in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture; Jidai Matsuri in Kyoto; and Chihibu Yomatsuri in Chihibu City, Saitama Prefecture. These matsuris will surely provide a great and unforgettable experience.