7 January

Nanokado Hadaka-mairi

Yanaizu, Fukushima Prefecture

Young townsmen dressed only in loincloths race to climb a rope to reach the ceiling of Nanokado temple to capture a holy charm.  This is a somewhat unusual festival but is known throughout Japan.

21 March

Aizu Higan Shishi

Aizu Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture

Lion dances are performed throughout the city to mark the end of winter and the Buddhist services of the equinoctial week.

22-24 July

Aizu Tajima Gion Festival

Tajima Town, Fukushima Prefecture

This festival features Shinto music and dance, children’s kabuki theatre and taiko drumming.

23-25 July

Soma Nomaoi

Hibarigahara, Haramachi, Fukushima Prefecture

This festival commences with a parade of over 600 horsemen in full military dress.  The horsemen participate in various activities, finishing with men dressed in white chasing wild horses around the shrine in order to offer them to the gods.

22-24 September

Aizu Byakko Festival

Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

This festival features a recreation of a major battle from 1868 between Imperial and Shogunate troops during the Meiji revolution, and displays over 700 people dressed in full period  warrior costume.

4-6 October

Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival

Nihonmatsu Temple, Nihonmatsu, Fukushima

Seven large boats with hundreds of paper lanterns parade through the town accompanied by traditional music.

Mid November

Sukagawa Taimatsu

Sukagawa, Fukushima

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.

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.

1 December

Hata Festival

Towa, Fukushima Prefecture

Brightly colored flags are carried in a procession through rice fields and mountain paths, accompanied by conch-blowers.