Wanderlust Japan > event by season
Goshogawara Tachi-Neputa Festival
DATE: Beginning of August PLACE: Goshogawara city, AomoriThese nebuta (lit-up painted lantern-floats) are a bit different than the Aomori and Hirosaki festival because they go vertical. They can be over 20 meters tall. The festivities start at 19:00 and end at 21:00.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/season/summer/kitatohoku.html
Kanamara Matsuri aka The Penis Festival
DATE: First Sunday in April PLACE: Kanayama Shrine, KawasakiCelebration with a parade of portable shrines…the only thing is that these “enshrined objects” happen to be giant phalli. The shrine is small but draws a huge crowd of everyone from drag queens to little children.
http://www.travelkawasaki.com/kanamara/?gclid=CMDnhbjur70CFQUJvAodfqIA7Q
Torigoe Festival
DATE: The Sunday closest to June 9th PLACE: Torigoe Shrine, TokyoTorigoe Festival is a festival that takes place at Torigoe Shrine and boasts a 1360 year history.They will bring out the portable shrine (said to be one of the heaviest in Tokyo) and approx. 200,000 people will come out to try and see it. Maybe you’ll be one of them?
At night, lanterns light the way to the shrine. Approximately 300 stalls will be set up, serving food and drinks.
Suigo Sawara Iris Festival
DATE: June PLACE: Katori, ChibaSuigo Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden specializes in irises and lotuses. There are 400 varieties and 1.5 million iris flowers here (said to be the most in all of East Asia). During the festival you can take a free 10 minute boat-ride down the middle of the park.
http://www.chiba-tour.jp/eng/sawara_ayame.html
Cherry Blossom Viewing
DATE: End of March, until May PLACE: Blossoming time depends on areaCherry blossoms bloom
Sanja Matsuri “3 shrine festival”
DATE: 3rd weekend of May PLACE: TokyoMassive festival in Asakusa
Tokyo International Anime Fair
DATE: 3rd weekend of March PLACE: TokyoOfficial Animation Expo in Tokyo
http://www.tokyoanime.jp/en/
Morioka Sansa Odori
DATE: August 1st-4th PLACE: Morioka, IwateThis festival in Morioka city, Iwate is mainly dancing and a huge parade. It goes from August 1st to the 4th. There are performances happening from 1 pm to 4 pm and then the main parade and dancing at 6 pm to 9 pm.
This festival won the Guinness World Record for longest drum parade in the world.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/season/summer/kitatohoku.html
Hirosaki Neputa Festival
DATE: Beginning of August PLACE: Hirosaki, Aomori80 Nebuta (giant floats made of paper that are lit up inside like a lantern) are paraded around the town of Hirosaki, accompanied by music.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/festival/hirosakineputa.html
Funadama Festival
DATE: August 15th PLACE: Nagatoro, SaitamaA festival where they try to appease the gods by floating boats with lanterns down the Arakawa River
Gion Matsuri
DATE: July PLACE: KyotoMonth-long festivities and gigantic floats
http://www.kyotoguide.com/ver2/thismonth/gionmatsuri.html
Tokyo Game Show
DATE: 3rd weekend of September PLACE: ChibaVideo Game Expo
http://tgs.cesa.or.jp/english/
Chichibu Night Festival
DATE: December 2-3rd PLACE: SaitamaNight parade with floats and fireworks
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