Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [6]
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MARCH/APRIL
HINA MATSURI 3 Mar
During this festival, old dolls are displayed and young girls are given special hina (dolls) that represent ancient figures from the imperial court.
TAGATA HŌNEN SAI FESTIVAL 15 Mar
Held in central Honshū, this festival cele-brates the masculine creative force of the universe, which is represented by a giant phallus. The huge member is paraded around the village by joyful villagers. It’s both photogenic and fun and guaranteed to make a good ‘only in Japan’ story.
PLUM BLOSSOM VIEWING late Feb-Mar
Not as famous as the cherries, but quite lovely in their own right, Japan’s plum trees bloom from late February into March. Strolling among the plum orchards at places like Kyoto’s Kitano-Tenman-gū Click here is a fine way to spend an early spring day in Japan.
CHERRY BLOSSOM VIEWING late Feb-early Apr
Japan’s famous cherry blossoms burst into bloom in the early spring, starting in February in Kyūshū and generally peaking in Honshū in late March or early April. Their moment of glory is brief, generally lasting only a week. Famous spots include Kyoto’s Maruyama-kōen Click here and Tokyo’s Ueno-kōen Click here.
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MAY
GOLDEN WEEK 29 Apr-5 May
Golden Week takes in Shōwa-no-hi (Shōwa Emperor’s Day; 29 April), Kempō Kinem-bi (Constitution Day; 3 May), Midori-no-hi (Green Day; 4 May) and Kodomo-no-hi (Children’s Day; 5 May). Transport and lodging in popular holiday areas are often booked solid during this time.
KODOMO-NO-HI 5 May
This is a holiday dedicated to children, especially boys. Families fly paper streamers of koinobori (carp), which symbolise male strength.
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JULY
TANABATA MATSURI (STAR FESTIVAL) 7 Jul
The two stars meet in the Milky Way on this night, a cosmic meeting that echoes a myth (originally Chinese) of two earthly lovers. From 6 to 8 August, an ornate celebration is held in the city of Sendai.
GION MATSURI 17 Jul
This is the mother of all Japanese festivals. Huge floats are pulled through the streets of Kyoto by teams of chanting citizens. On the three evenings preceding the parade, people stroll through Shijō-dōri dressed in beautiful yukata (light cotton kimono). Click here.
FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL late Jul
Held in Naeba, this is Japan’s biggest rock festival and it always draws some top-shelf acts from abroad. It’s a world-class event and is worth planning a trip around.
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AUGUST
NEBUTA MATSURI 2-7 Aug
Held in Aomori, northern Honshū, this is one of Japan’s more colourful festivals. On the final day of this festival enormous parade floats are pulled through the city by teams of chanting dancers.
O-BON (FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD) mid-Aug
According to Buddhist tradition, this is a time when ancestors return to earth. Lanterns are lit and floated on rivers, lakes or the sea to signify the return of the departed to the underworld. See also Daimon-ji Gozan Okuribi (below).
DAIMON-JI GOZAN OKURIBI 16 Aug
Commonly known as Daimon-ji Yaki, this is part of the summer O-Bon festival (above) and is one of Japan’s most impressive spectacles. Click here for details.
SUMMER FIREWORKS FESTIVALS Aug
Cities and towns across Japan hold spectacular summer fireworks festivals. You’ll be amazed at the quality and duration of some of these incredible displays.
EARTH CELEBRATION 3rd week of Aug
The island of Sado-ga-shima, off the coast of northern Honshū, is the scene of this internationally famous festival of dance, art and music. The festival Click here is centred on performances by the island’s famous taiko (Japanese drum) group. This is a must-see if you can make it.
ASAKUSA SAMBA MATSURI late Aug
Brazil comes to Tokyo during this wild samba festival in the streets of Asakusa (Click here). You may find yourself wondering if you’re actually in Japan.
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