Calendar of Japanese festivals (matsuri) 2-3 November Ohara Festival This festival is the biggest of
Karatsu Kunchi Karatsu, This festival features a parade of hikiyama floats that are carried on people’s shoulders and extensively decorated with lions, fish, samurai helmets and other traditional symbols. 3 November Bechya Festival Kibitsu-hiko Shrine, Onomichi, Men wear masks or dress as lions and run through the crowded streets looking for children. They then “beat” the children with their bamboo whips. Locals believed that children who are “beaten” in this manner will be safe from illness for the following year. 3 November Awa Puppet Theatre Kisawa, Classic plays are performed on an outdoor stage during this festival. 3 November Shitenno-ji Wasso This festival features a parade of thousands of people dressed as historical figures and heroes, along with stunning floats. 3 November Matsue Do-Gyoretsu Matsue, 30 local teams compete in this taiko drumming festival to see who can play the longest on huge drums mounted on floats. 3 November Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu Hakone-machi, Kanagawa This festival features a parade of 150 people in full period dress from the Edo Period (1603-1867). This is a reenactment of the crossings that the feudal lords had to make in order to present themselves to the Shogun. 11 November Fire God Festival Kirishima Shrine, Takachiho-Gawara Furumiyato, This festival commemorates the landing of the gods on the earth at a site nearby. The festival features traditional dance, taiko drums and bonfires. Mid November Sukagawa Taimatsu Sukagawa, This fire festival is held to honor the coming winter, and features 30 massive torches that are 10m tall and weigh 3tons being lit and paraded through the city to the beat of taiko drums. Mid November Momiji Festival Arashiyama, Five Heian Period (794-1192) style decorated boats filled with people in period dress sail across the water in this aquatic parade. The parade is accompanied by traditional music, noh recitations and dance. 15 November Shichi-Go-San Festival Nationwide Children age three, five and seven years are dressed in kimono and taken to shrines to pray for their future health and good fortune. 18-20 November Ebisu-san Festival Ebisu Shrine, A festival dedicated to Ebisu-san, the god of commerce. Local shops have great bargains and street vendors line the streets during this festive time. 23 November Hadakambo Festival Hofu Tenman-gu Shrine, Hofu, Men brave the winter chill by wearing loincloths to carry floats through the streets to the Tenman-gu Shrine. |
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