EVENTS

Event Highlights

Some genuine insight into Japanese culture, traditional and contemporary, and some remarkably beautiful experiences are to be had at one of Japan’s many annual festivals...

1 HANAMI

Experience the splendour of Japan's beautiful and iconic cherry blossoms

Hanami is the Japanese word for “flower viewing” but usually refers specifically to parties held under the cherry blossoms that come into bloom around the end of March. The cherry blossoms are a spectacular yet transient sight that only lasts until the end of April, depending on the location. This is one of the iconic elements of Japanese beauty, and is a much anticipated event. Seasons play an important role in Japanese traditional events, and hanami gatherings are quintessentially Japanese affairs in this respect. Hanami is also particularly significant as the cherry trees come in to bloom all at once only to lose their flowers after two weeks, and this transience and frailty is seen as symbolic of human life. The paths under the cherry blossoms are lit with lanterns at night, and hanami is so popular that generally one must secure a space the night before you intend to gather in the area!

2 MATSURI

Be moved by an intense experience of dance at one of the traditional Japanese Matsuri festivals

There are hundreds of traditional festivals, or matsuri, marked annually in Japan. Most matsuri share a common orientation towards health, longevity, fertility, a better harvest or successful fishing. The Awa dance festival is held between August 12th and 15th on the island of Shikoku. There are over 100,000 dancers that participate and dance to the two-beat rhythm, representing various styles of strong, versatile dancing. The Kyoto Gion matsuri is held in July, and centres around rituals performed at the Yasaka shrine. Street vendors and festival goers in traditional costumes descend on the area between the 14th and 16th of July for Yoiyama, and the main procession, the Yamahoko Junko. The world famous Aomori Nebuta matsuri is Japan’s “fire festival,” which is held between the 2nd and 7th of August. The festival centres around a parade, which features haneto dancers and elaborate floats based on kabuki characters, legends or historical figures.

3 HINAMATSURI

A special day in Japan to celebrate girls revolves around the symbolism of dolls

Hinamatsuri is known in Japan as “girl’s day,” and was traditionally focused around girl’s health and well-being. It is celebrated annually on the 3rd of March. This festival originated with wealthy girls playing with dolls in the Heian era. As time passed, the doll became a significant symbol for protecting girls against evil and misfortune. In some parts of Japan, Hinamatsuri traditionally involved dolls being floated down a river, supposedly taking all of the negativity of the community along with them. Most people celebrate the day with family by drinking Amazake and eating Chirashizushi and Arare crackers. Hinamatsuri also involves displaying beautiful dolls that represent the emperor and empress together with all the attendants at the Imperial Palace. Most people only own few dolls, however there are more elaborate sets that show many dolls arranged according to rank and feature dolls representing all facets of the royal court.

4 OMISOKA & SHOGATSU

The two most important holidays on Japan’s calendar revolve around New Year festivities

Omisoka & Shogatsu are the most important holidays in Japan. Many people return home from the cities and spend the holiday with relatives. Shogatsu is a three-day festival that marks the New Year in Japan. It starts on the first of January with a public holiday and the three days include many different rituals and celebrations that ring in the New Year and ensure good fortune ahead. Omisoka refers to New Year's Eve, the day before the 1st of January, which involves a lot of cleaning, shopping, and finishing up the years work in order to launch into Shogatsu and the New Year on a fresh, clean slate. Omisoka is usually celebrated by eating Toshikoshi-soba, a special buckwheat noodle, and staying awake until midnight, when temples will ring their bells 108 times – 108 symbolises the number of worldy sins, and each chime releases all the negativity of each of sin.

5 SEIJINSHIKI

Look out for this much anticipated ceremony that marks the coming of age of Japan’s youth

The Japanese term Seijin Shiki literally translates into "adult ceremony" and describes the day, usually the second Monday in January, when coming of age is marked on a national level. All the young people who will turn 20 that school year will celebrate their coming of age on this day, as this age is recognised in Japan as the age of legal majority and is the minimum age required for voting eligibility. There are formal ceremonies held at large venues, which are organised by each municipality, and all eligible candidates attend decked out in their finest, with the men and women often wearing traditional kimonos. At the ceremonies there are speeches and those who are coming of age will receive presents. Young men and women return to their hometown to participate in the event and look forward to spending time with their old friends and classmates. It's a big celebration in Japan, and the young people anticipate it with glee.

6 SETSUBUN

Ring in the Lunar New Year with soy beans, traditional fare and wishes for good fortune

In Japan, each of the four distinct seasons holds a particular importance. The word Setsubun technically describes the day that occurs before the formal beginning of the new season, but more commonly will describe the day before spring starts, which is marked annually on the 4th of February. This festival is usually concurrent with the Lunar New Year celebrations and as such holds much symbolism related to new beginnings. One key part of Setsubun is the scattering of roasted soybeans outside the front door of the home, while the family chants “oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” which ushers out the bad luck and draws good luck into the home. Other activities include eating a type of fortune sushi roll (known as Eho-Maki in the Kinki-region of Japan) whilst facing the lucky direction of the year, closing one’s eyes, remaining silent and making a wish, which is supposed to ensure future health and prosperity.