Festivals & Holidays

A country known for its booming technology and bustling city life, Japanese culture is unique and full of history and tradition. One of the greatest ways to experience and immerse oneself into the culture of Japan is to visit the country during one of the many popular festivals or holidays. There are several festivals throughout the year worth seeing, each celebrating a different meaning and tradition. Here are three worth attending:

As in most countries, the new year is a time of celebration in Japan when you can leave your worries behind and start the new year with a fresh perspective. Ganjitsu is celebrated on January first and is one of the biggest events that occur in Japan. Shogatsu, new year’s celebration, continues past the first, with many stores closed until at least January third. In the days leading up to the new year, homes are decorated with materials like bamboo, pine, and the zodiac animal symbol of the upcoming year. Japanese spend time visiting local shrines and temples and spending quality time with family. During this time, temple bells ring 108 times to symbolize human sins and worldly desires.

Kicking off the much anticipated Spring Festival, Setsuban is celebrated at the beginning of February and is characterized by the throwing of beans. The bean-throwing festival offers a chance to ward off evil spirits by throwing beans. At home, a senior male will often play the bad guy by dressing up as the evil spirit, wearing a mask. Beans will be thrown at him until he vacates the home, thus getting rid of the evil spirit. Bean-throwing is also likely to occur at temples and shrines, where celebrities may pay a visit and throw candies to the crowd. Over time, the festival has become highly promoted and televised.

Obon is arguably the second largest observed festival that occurs in Japan, following new years. A three-day celebration that occurs in the summer, Obon is celebrated to welcome families ancestral spirits. Families gather in prayer, visit temples and shrines, and light fires or lanterns to help guide spirits home. Often, food will be set out as offerings for the spirits of ancestors, and traditional styles of dance will be found in practice in local parks or gardens.