It all started in the middle of the 9th century. Summer was always the season for increased disasters: illness, floods, and devastating fires. So the emperor ordered people to offer prayers for relief at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto's Gion district. Before long, the prayers were being offered with such regularity that the people made an … Continue reading Gion Matsuri – centuries-old purification rites (and a great summertime party)
I first read about Tanabata back in the 1970s in James Michener's 1954 novel "Sayonara" and it's fascinated me ever since. Celebrated by the Japanese on the seventh day of the seventh month and also sometimes called "The Star Festival", the novel referred to it as "the most romantic night of the year". That is … Continue reading Tanabata – the most romantic night of the year
This article describes thirteen festivals or other special events taking place in Tokyo during Golden Week 2017. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today)
Japan is host to a variety of annual festivals, often seasonally driven, and often associated with Shinto shrines. These festivals usually involve music, dancing, fair food and portable shrines that are paraded through the local neighborhood. One of the more unusual of these annual festivals takes place on the first Sunday of April (in 2017: … Continue reading Kanamara Matsuri: A unique celebration of the pink of spring
In many cultures, fire is regarded as a great purifier. Japanese Buddhism is one such culture, and one of the most dramatic purification rituals is firewalking. A chance to observe this tradition first hand is coming up on March 12, 2017, so if you'll be in Tokyo, mark your calendar and make plans to go … Continue reading Firewalking at Mt. Takao-a dramatic way to purify
This time of year in Japan, displays of Hina dolls are ubiquitous. Historically the third day of the third month is Girl's Day (while the fifth day of the fifth month--now the Children's Day public holiday--was Boy's Day). The traditional observation of Girl's Day included displays of Hina dolls--dolls depicting a king, queen and courtiers … Continue reading Hina Dolls at Meguro Gajoen–all kinds of traditions at once
On February 3 in Japan we celebrated "Setsubun" (division between seasons). This little traditional holiday (no, we don't get the day off work) seems to have derived from Chinese New Year, arriving in Japan around the eighth century. Unlike Chinese New Year, though, the date of the holiday is now fixed. Most of Japan's other … Continue reading Spilling the beans on Setsubun
November 20, 2016, was the culmination of a 3 week long promotion of Tohoku products at the Toranomon Hills complex in the area becoming known as "Shintora" (combining the names of the Shinbashi and Toranomon districts of Tokyo). The absolute highlight of the day was the Shintora Matsuri Parade, featuring troupes from the six major … Continue reading Shintora Matsuri Parade: bringing Tohoku to Tokyo
This article describes the traditional Tanabata star festival celebrated this time of year and where to go to see it. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today)
This article overviews a number of festivals taking place in various parts of the Tohoku region during Golden Week. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today)
This article offers 10 ideas in and around Tokyo good for Golden Week, or other times. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today)
This article describes the O-eshiki festival that takes place at Ikegami Honmonji Temple from October 11 to 13 every year, with the major parade and ceremonies from nightfall to midnight on the night of October 12. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today.)
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