Gaido Japan

The Hanamaki Festival
2022-09-10 - 2022-09-11
The Hanamaki Festival is one of the 3 biggest in Iwate, the other 2 being Sansa Odori in Morioka and the Mizusawa Festival in Oshuu. The streets of downtown Hanamaki are usually rather quiet but for 3 days in September, they come to life with hundreds of floats and portable shrines. People of all ages participate in the fun from elementary school children to adults. There are many side activities as well during the festival. The festival is held in honor of Nobuchika Kita 1523-1613, the founder of Hanamaki, the festival started at the end of the 16th century. The festival has been held annually since. The festivities start around 17:00 on the second Friday of September until 21:00, on Saturday, it starts at noon and runs until 21:00 also. On the last day, Sunday, it starts at noon and ends at 19:00. During that time, you’ll see elaborately decorated floats featuring some ancient folk tales or historical events. It takes a couple of months to build the floats mostly made of paper-mâché; they have to be built to withstand the rain (it often rains during the festival). Many floats have live flames shooting out at several places; they are very impressive at night! All Junior High Schools are represented with a portable shrine (“mikoshi” in Japanese) in the parade, and there is fierce competition among the teams to impress the crowds. Most neighborhoods are represented by a float as well. A typical float has young children at the front playing the flute, next older children playing the shamisen, and adults at the back playing the drums. The melody played originated in Kyoto several centuries ago. There are also smaller portable shrines paraded through the streets of each neighborhood earlier in the day. All schools finish at noon on the Friday of the festival to allow children to participate in the parades. Each float is an absolute work of art; they are the main attraction of the festival. Another great feature of the festival is the Kagura Deer Dancers; there are several versions around Iwate but here the dancers are covered in deer-like costumes and perform drum dances on Kamicho (上町 – the main street where the festival takes place). Perpendicular to Kamicho is Toyosawa-cho, the street where all the food stalls and other vendors are located. You can find the usual festival foods like yakisoba, takoyaki, udon, cotton candy, and more. Each year new ones are being tried. You can also find all kinds of toys, goldfish, and some arts and crafts on sale on that street.

Jozenji Street Jazz Festival Sendai
2022-09-10 10:00 - 2022-09-11 18:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | Sendai City Center, Sendai City Center, Sendai, Sendai, Japan
Jazz music is not everyone’s cup of green tea, so it was quite a shock to discover that the Jozenji Street Jazz Festival is one of Sendai’s biggest annual events. Starting back in 1987 on a department store stage, the festival soon moved outdoors into the streets. In recent years the growing festivities have assaulted the entire city with more than forty stages, hundreds of performers, and thousands of visitors. And here’s a secret: all kinds of music from rock, pop, gospel, Latin (you name it and they’ve got it) are performed—not just jazz. It is one of the most unique music festivals in Japan, and it’s all free!!! Looking at a map of the Jozenji Street Jazz Festival can be at first a bit overwhelming. While the event is always held two days over a weekend in September and the number of stages or their locations can change slightly each year, the hardest choice of the day is where to go. Stages stretch from few and far between around Tsutsujigaoka Park (one station away from Sendai station), through the main shopping arcade and pedestrian mall, all the way down to the main stages and headquarters of Kotaikoen Park. A long detour leads down Jozenji Street, from which the festival borrows its name. Jozenji Street is lined with large and beautiful Zelkova trees. The street is a symbol of the city. It stretches down to Nishikoen Park which hosts a flea market and World Kitchen area to sample international cuisine. Walking the entire course would take more than an hour. If it still hasn’t sunk in yet, the festival is huge! Two days might not even be enough to enjoy it all. Of course, do try to attend bands or genres of music you are interested in, but fill in any downtime by following your ears. Most travelers and locals get their jazz on by first starting at Sendai Station. Some people opt to go see the six or so stages behind the station and clustered in Tsutsujigaoka Park. Even if it is your first time in Sendai, it isn’t hard to find your way around. The event has an army of volunteers as well as hired security guards that move you in the right direction. It won’t be long until you start hearing music. You will be hearing it all day. The stages are set just far enough apart so that one performance does not interfere with another but just close enough so that visitors never experience silence. Smaller stages are placed along the center or edges of the covered shopping arcades (which provide great acoustics). These stages may only have one or two performers with a crowd of fewer than fifty people. It is nice knowing that a festival this large can still provide such intimate moments between musician and audience. Pass a few folk song artists and a blues performer (singing in English!) and you might hear angels. It’s a gospel choir singing from a second-floor balcony bridging over the mall walkway! This was a huge hit last year. Next, your friend pulls your sleeve towards the blaring of a trumpet. A small stage inside a store provides perfect acoustics. You just never know where the next stage will be. It’s all part of the fun. As the festival picks up energy the crowds get bigger and the music louder. Huge stages capable of hosting a few hundred people each center around Kotaikoen Park (located right outside Kotaikoen station, less than 10 minutes via subway from Sendai station). Even bigger performances occur during night performances which start around six in the evening. Japanese rock bands, a Japanese version of the Beatles(?), and Japanese taiko drumming kept the crowds moving until late in the evening. The Jozenji Street Jazz Festival is something every music lover needs to attend. Although not all performers are big superstars, all are very good at what they do. Pride is on the line and all performers give their best and sound great! Fun for everyone in a beautiful backdrop of greenery along with a free price tag means it is almost impossible not to have a good time.

Manjushage Festival
2022-09-17 09:00 - 2022-10-02 16:30
This carpet of over 5,000,000 bright red spider lilies beside the Koma River made it to the list of the top 30 reasons to visit Japan or really, the top 30 most beautiful places in Japan. So remarkable, in fact, that the Emperor and Empress of Japan came last year to see it for themselves. The entrance fee of ¥300 allows you to walk amongst the flowers and enter the festival area with all-day stage events and food and souvenir booths. Previous Event
Activities
Manjushage Festival, Koma
For fifty weeks of the year, the town of Koma (just 50 km from Ikebukuro, Tokyo) could be just about anywhere in rural Japan

Niseko Autumn Food Festival
2022-09-26 - 2022-10-09
Seasonal eating is great for a number of reasons – it’s fresher, cheaper, and more sustainable for our planet. The Niseko Autumn Food Festival celebrates this train of thought, and the event will include eighteen local restaurants and bars serving up a range of eats and drinks using autumnal produce. Along with the tastebud tempting goodies on offer, there will also be a variety of live stage performances during the four-day affair.

Czech Festival
2022-09-30 14:30 - 2022-10-02 18:00
The Czech Festival in Tokyo is Japan’s largest Czech-based event, and the multi-day affair includes a variety of ways to connect with this charming European country. There will be Czech products including accessories, character goods, toys, and books available to purchase, traditional Czech food and drinks on offer (including beer, wine, sausages, open sandwiches, stews, and more), music performances, tourism and culture information, and plenty more. The event takes place at the Adrift Shimokitazawa event complex, and admission is free of charge. Do note that the event hours for the 2022 festival differ from day to day if you’re planning on visiting: ⬇️ September 30th (Fri) from 2.30 pm – 8 pm October 1st (Sat) from 10 am – 8 pm October 2nd (Sun) from 10 am – 6 pm

Ikegami Oeshiki
2022-10-11 16:00 - 2022-10-13 23:00
Ikegami Honmonji Oeshiki Festival is one of Tokyo’s most famous and memorable festivals, with a history dating back more than 730 years. The festival celebrates the anniversary of the death of the famous Buddhist teacher and saint Nichiren. Oeshiki celebrations to honor Nichiren, founder of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism, occur around Japan in mid-October, but the largest and most impressive takes place at Ota Ward’s Ikegami Honmonji Temple, where Nichiren passed away. The highlight of the festival is held on October 12th at 6 pm, the actual date of Nichiren’s death. The event, known as “Mando rite” (Mando meaning 10,000 lights), involves parades of people toting poles of cherry-blossom adorned lanterns on the two-kilometer route from Ikegami Station to the temple grounds. The huge floats are accompanied by matoi, Edo-era firemen, who provide music for the march on their flutes and drums. Over 300,000 people usually attend the festival every year to enjoy the magical atmosphere, but for those who can’t be there in person, the event is also broadcast online. For those planning to witness the parade of lanterns, it’s advisable to come early in order to secure a good seat along the route. During the festival, numerous food stands run by local residents serve up a variety of treats to the many visitors. Common festival foods include yakisoba, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, yakitori and more. Some events, such as catching goldfish, lotteries, and fortune tellers, are held throughout the neighborhood. The concessions are open for the entire three-day event, and the lively atmosphere is a fantastic place to make friends and mingle in the brisk autumn air. This article originally appeared on the Ota-City.com website and is republished with permission.

Otsu Festival
2022-10-15 - 2022-10-18
Otsu Matsuri takes place in early October, which is preferable to the sticky July heat of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri. It features thirteen gorgeous tall lantern floats which can be viewed on the first day of the festival and a parade that takes place the following day. The floats have ingenious mechanical puppets which move during the parade. Food stalls are set up on the grounds of Tenson Shrine and along the covered shopping street. The floats are located only 10 minute walk from Otsu JR Station.

Yuiichi Festival
2022-10-15 - 2022-10-19
Yuiichi is a local craft festival in Yūki, Ibaraki prefecture. True to Yūki’s history and rich weaving heritage, the Yuiichi event aims to bring together local people and crafts to celebrate Yūki’s culture. Spread across Yuki’s historical downtown streets, Yuiichi provides visitors a chance to explore over 35 different shops, stalls, and cafes in the neighborhood. With many roads closed off over the Yuiichi weekend, people are encouraged to walk or cycle around the different sites, which surround the central Takedasuga Shrine. Performances and street stalls can be enjoyed as local businesses and craftsmen open their doors to the public and host workshops that people can get involved in.
Entrance to Takedasuga Shrine (Photo: Yui Project)
To the west of Takedasuga Shrine is the Sakagura (sake brewery) area where a number of local breweries open their doors to host visitors, small stalls, and performances. Yūki/Buyū sake breweries feature live performances throughout each day, though this is ticketed separately to the main, otherwise free, festival. The Machinaka (downtown) area to the southwest features art, sweets, and goods shops. Also, it intersects the Jinja (shrine) area in the center of Yuki, where the Takedasuga Shrine is located. To the east is the Toiyamachi (Wholesale) area, with a greater number of arts, and crafts, and small, independent shops and traders selling handmade wares.
Products on display (Photo: Yui Project)
There are a number of workshop opportunities to get involved in, including tsumugi, a silk-weaving technique unique to Yuki and designated one of several Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Japan. It is now inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Also to try is making Noren, the traditional sign curtain hung at shop entrances. While it is easy to explore Yuki on foot, it is even better to explore by bicycle as you may go back and forth throughout the day. Cycling affords you the luxury of making lots of short journeys, not worrying about retracing your steps or simply exploring freely. With so many sections of the town open to the public, there are so many hidden paths, shortcuts or nooks, and crannies allowing you to explore this charming town at your leisure.
Street performances (Photo: Yui Project)
With Takedasuga Shrine being both the town and festival’s focal point, lots of small craft and food stalls pop up outside around the shrine’s grounds, which is also where the crowds converge as the evening draws near on both days. Here, live performances can be enjoyed alongside the warm glow of lanterns, candlelight, and the cool, crisp autumn air. On a Sunday evening, the mesmerizing performance of gagaku-style music can be witnessed.
Yuiichi is held every year on the second weekend in October.

Echigo Yuzawa Station Sake Festival
2022-10-15 - 2022-10-23
The Echigo Yuzawa area of Niigata Prefecture is known for two things in particular – snow and sake. You’ll notice the region’s pride in their sake even as you’re passing through Echigo Yuzawa station, as it’s home to the Ponshukan, a place where visitors can try brews from across the prefecture and bathe in a sake-infused hot spring. Given this, it may not come as a surprise that the station also plays host to a sake festival within its walls. For 1000 yen, festival attendees will receive a ticket that allows them to sample 10 different brews which originate from the local areas of Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma, Uonuma, Tsunan, Tokamachi, and Ojiya. The two-day event does have differing hours, so bear that in mind.

Fureai Matsuri at Haginaka, Haneda
2022-10-15 - 2022-10-16
A festival organized by local parties including the government, council, companies, and shopping streets. There will be performances including the awa-odori dance and the Okinawan eisa dance, as well as traditional Japanese food stalls offering cotton candy and yakisoba. Local shops will also set up stands to sell their specialties, including steak and Japanese dumplings (manju). This article originally appeared on the Ota-City.com website and is republished with permission.

Niihama Drum Festival
2022-10-15 - 2022-10-16
Niihama Drum Festival is one of the top three festivals in Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku — an autumn taiko festival celebrating the annual harvest. Its origins date back 1,000 years, a sacred event that is an essential part of Niihama City’s history. During the Festival The festival attracts thousands of spectators from all across the country, who gather in mid-October to celebrate among the boisterous sounds of beating drums. Also known as Otoko-matsuri (Men’s Festival), the massive 3-tonne taiko drum stands are lifted by over 150 men during the event. The taiko traditional drum stands are 5.5 meters tall and adorned with gold thread embroidery. Niihama Drum Festival’s highlight is undoubtedly the Kakikurabe, an event when men known as “kakifu” participate in a Taiko-dai lifting competition to determine who is the strongest and most skilled in the city.
History The event’s origins date back to the Heian and Kamakura periods when the locals prayed to the gods for an abundant autumn harvest. During the early Meiji period, the Taiko-dai was only three meters tall. In present times, these three-meter Taiko-dai are carried by children during the festival. The height of the Taiko-dai increased year by year, resulting in the 5-meter tall flamboyant drum stands we see today. Before the festival begins, the Taiko-dai are blessed in local shrines and then paraded around Niihama city. Occasionally, you might see the taiko-dai bearers tussle with one another, smashing the drum stands together until it remains but a mess of shards and ripped shreds. If you’re lucky, you might see the taiko-dai bearers carry the drum stands into the sea — a process called funamiyuki. Although it does not occur every year, the act of funamiyuki represents the locals’ prayer for a good sea harvest.

Kurashiki Autumn Festival
2022-10-15 - 2022-10-16
The Kurashiki Autumn Festival or Achi-Jinja Aki Matsuri happens every year on the 3rd weekend of October to celebrate abundant harvests. The Japanese name of the festival ‘阿智神社秋祭’ is a combination of the shrine’s name (Achi-Jinja), autumn (aki), and festival (matsuri). The shrine is located in the Tsurugata-yama-koen, a park that overlooks the Bikan Historical Quarter, preserved from the Edo Period (1603-1867). This old merchant quarter on a normal day is already a very pleasant place to visit. The Kurashiki canal runs through the main area with white and black tiled warehouses found on both sides of the channel, giving this area a distinctive Japanese-European feel. Interestingly, Kurashiki takes its name from ‘Kura – 倉’ which means warehouse. If you have not been to a festival in Japan before, I should explain that to aid the procession, the crowds may be cordoned off the parade area. But this particular festival in Kurashiki does it differently from Jidai Matsuri (Kyoto), for example. The procession walks right into the heart of the old town amidst the crowd so all people can partake in it. People can choose to walk under the *Mikoshi (see additional information below) for good blessings, they can get knocked on the head by *Suinkyo for good health, and they may even meet an *Akuma or two prowling the streets. I won’t go into the details of the full program. Still, I would suggest that you hang around the ‘Kurashikikan’, formerly the Kurashiki town hall and now the Tourist Information Center, where you will likely get the best bits of the festival procession. You can hear the procession before you see it coming as the bearers of the Mikoshi and the *Senzairaku will be chanting as they walk. The *Miko or priestess will travel on a horse and lead the procession. The *Sanjyojin or 3 goddesses will be carried over the water with court musicians playing *Gagaku in a separate boat slightly behind the goddesses. They will head down the canal before disembarking further down. Once the priestess and the 3 goddesses are assembled on the stone bridge, Miko makes a speech and then starts to sing. The beautiful voice is accompanied by the entrancing dance of the 3 goddesses and brings a calm over the whole area. Even with the crowd around, you do not feel flustered or annoyed as everyone seems to be charmed by the beauty of the scene. You can feel the gentle wind that whispers in your ear and the sunlight patting lightly on your cheeks, as you feel an overall sense of peace and calmness. After the song ends, the procession continues on but most people will have wandered off to have coffee or visit the many exciting shops around town. Another event to highlight is that on this special occasion some of the residents open their houses to the public and display their Byobu (folding screens) which are handed down from generation to generation. Some are accompanied by Ikebana (floral arrangements) as well as calligraphy works. Additional information: Many people attend festivals for their beauty and grandeur, and to partake in the festivities but there is a long history of how things came to be. The following is just some additional information with the hope that it will help you enjoy the festival more when you do get a chance to attend. Sanjojin 三女神
Munakata shrines are dedicated to the Munakata Sanjoshin 宗像三女神. Their worship began under the patronage of the Munakata 宗像 clan on Kyūshū (Kyushu) island, hence they are named the Three Goddesses of Munakata. The 3 Goddesses (Ichikishima-hime 市杵嶋姫, Tagitsu-hime 湍津姫, Tagori-hime 田心姫 ) are believed to be daughters of the Sun God Amaterasu. They are believed to be protectors of the nation, the imperial household, patrons of safe sea voyages, and bountiful fishing. Miko 巫女
Miko or priestess is the maiden of a shrine, trained to perform tasks in the shrine ranging from cleansing ceremonies to performing ceremonial dances. Gagaku 雅楽
Gagaku is the traditional music of the Japanese Imperial Court. It is believed that music is used to communicate with the deities. Mikoshi 神輿
A Mikoshi is a divine palanquin used to transport the deity during a festival or when moving from shrine to shrine. During a festival, people bear the mikoshi, on their shoulders and move it around the neighborhood and wave it wildly from side to side to “amuse” the deity inside the Mikoshi. Senzairaku 千歳楽
This particular floating stage carries the drum and its player. It is also known as Taiko-dai 太鼓台 and in the Okayama area, it is called the Senzairaku. It is also shouldered by people and while moving the stage the people will chant a song. The origins of name Senzairaku came from a Noh Song created in the Edo Period and due to its popularity, people started calling the drum stage itself ‘Senzairaku’. This float serves to lead the parade and to entertain the deity. Suinkyo 素隠居
Suinkyo is people dressed in traditional clothes and masks of elderly men and women. They are a humorous bunch as they go around hitting everyone on their heads with their red fans. It is said that hitting on the head is supposed to make the person smarter and in turn bring about good health. There are a few versions of its origins but one of them is said to be a shortened form of 「素晴らしい隠居」which literally just means a ‘Grand Retirement’ which would relate to a rich long life. Shibu-uchiwa 渋うちわ
The persimmon-stained fan carried by the Suinkyo. Akuma 悪魔
Akuma is a devil or demon in Japanese.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine Autumn Grand Festival
2022-10-15 - 2022-10-16
A grand festival is held at Nikko Toshogu Shrine twice a year, and in October, includes the Shinto ritual offering of “Yabusame”, firing arrows at targets from atop galloping horses, and the “Togyosai” called “Hyakumonozoroi Sennin Musha Gyoretsu”, in which participants reenact the procession from Sunpu Kuno-zan to Nikko for the reburial of Tokugawa Ieyasu. In particular, the Hyakumonozoroi Sennin Musha Gyoretsu, during which all 1,200 participants go up and down the road leading to the shrine, surrounding the portable shrine, will really make you believe you have traveled back to the Edo Period.

Tokyo Coffee Festival
2022-10-15 - 2022-10-16
Attention all java lovers! The Tokyo Coffee Festival is a biannual event featuring coffee beans from different countries as well as several coffee brands such as Ritual Coffee, Sightglass Coffee, Fourbarrel Coffee, and BlueBottle Coffee. This wonderful event aims to create a culture that promotes high-quality coffee. The festival also collaborates with different sweets producers from around the world, allowing customers and visitors to enjoy a perfect combination of bitter and sweet flavors. The Tokyo Coffee Festival sells a set of five tickets and five small paper cups for customers to try coffee from different stations, or you can buy a full cup of coffee directly from each booth. And with about 20 coffee booths to try, your day will be filled with caffeine. Each booth highlights a different type of coffee. The staff makes the coffee right in front of the customer, which is one of the major features of the Tokyo Coffee Festival. Aside from coffee, you can purchase artsy cups, mugs, and canvas bags, and enjoy treats from quirky food vans. The Tokyo Coffee Festival is held beside the farmer’s market at the United Nations University (UNU). It is organized by the Tokyo Coffee Executive Committee, Festival Farmer’s Market Association, and Good Coffee. It is also an event supported by Amameria Espresso, Glitch Coffee Roasters, Trunk Coffee Bar, Double Tall Coffee, and Coffee House Tomu Tomu, among many others. The farmer’s market is also held in front of the United Nations University during the festival and gets crowded with students, families, couples, and tourists on the weekend of the event. The farmer’s market booths feature some great and interesting products such as vegetables, honey, traditional Japanese plants, hand-made crafts, natural sweets, nuts, and olive oil at relatively cheap prices. It is definitely worth a visit for people in search of organic or handmade products! The Tokyo Coffee Festival is one of the must-see events for coffee lovers in and around Tokyo. Enjoy various samples of coffee and purchase high-quality coffee beans from all over the world over the course of the weekend. The next festival should be held in 2021.

Kiyozumi Cosmos Festival
2022-10-15 - 2022-10-31
Each year from around late September through until late October, approximately 5 million cosmos flowers bloom in a space of 7 hectares at the Kiyozumi Cosmos Field in Hyogo. The flowers have been cultivated in this area since 1990, and the site became a tourist destination two years later in 1992. The cosmos here come in a variety of colors including orange, pink, purple, and white, and the surrounding mountains enhance the natural charm of this rather rural location. The festival itself typically runs while the flowers are at their peak, and based on last year’s dates this was from October 11th through to October 24th. Of course, this can fluctuate depending on blooming conditions, so do check the official event website closer to the season for confirmation. Adult admission to the event is priced at 300 yen.

Kobe Sports Park Cosmos Festival
2022-10-15 10:00 - 15:00
Each year in autumn, the Kobe Sports Park is home to a cosmos festival that typically runs throughout the month of October. The cosmos hill at the park spans an impressive space of 4,000 square meters, and from the top of the hill, you’re able to see out to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge that links Honshu to Awaji Island. Along with the beautiful blooms and views to appreciate, the event also has stage performances and a range of food trucks to grab a bite to eat at.

Niimi City Samurai Parade
2022-10-15 13:30 - 15:30
Located in the north part of Okayama Prefecture and bordering Tottori Prefecture, Niimi City is prone to cold weather in the winter season but once spring kicks in you can see the spring colors scattered in the hills and mountains that surround the gateway to Niimi. The Takahashi River which originates from Chiya (Hanamiyama) runs through Niimi on its way down to the Seto Inland Sea. Each year Niimi City holds a re-creation of the Samurai or Daimyo who walked to Edo, these Samurai were expected to travel to Edo to pay respect and in return, they would be allowed to continue to reign over the district. The exact date of this tradition is not known but local historians say that it is at least 300 years old. Apparently, the Daimyo (which is used today to mean Governor) did not want to travel to Edo as they were required to spend a lot of money to travel to Edo and they were expected to hand over large amounts of money to keep the Sho-gun in power. But like many things here in Japan, keeping peace and order for the group plays a vital part in Japanese societal fiber. Of course, this played into the Sho-guns strategy to keep order in the regions by preventing the regional Samurai from accumulating wealth. The fact that this parade continues today after 300 years is a tribute to the city of Niimi and the people who live there. I have to confess that this city is more than a really interesting place to visit. In fact, this is the hometown of my husband and where his family has lived, for a very long time, so you can see that this city will always have a very soft spot in my heart. I have spent a lot of time traveling back and forth to Niimi and even after nearly two decades, I am still discovering new places and new facts about this quiet city. The Samurai Parade is held on the same day each year which often falls on a weekday. This does not prevent the locals from getting out onto the streets and saving a good spot to view the parade. Schools allow the students to take a half-day holiday as many are involved in the parade. If you have ever wanted to see this type of Samurai parade, they are held in many places around Japan but now you know that in Niimi City it happens on October 15th, so pencil this date in your calendar and maybe I’ll see you there this year.

Illumination Spectacle at Ashikaga Flower Park
2022-10-15 16:30 - 2022-10-28 21:00
Experience a mesmerizing evening of lights at Ashikaga Flower Park, recognized as Japan’s top illumination display. Stroll through enchanting gardens filled with thousands of twinkling lights, breathtaking wisteria light tunnels, and captivating themed sets. Conveniently located near Tokyo, reach the park by taking the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Oyama Station (a 42-minute journey costing ¥3860) and then the JR Ryomo Line from Oyama Station to Tomita Station (a 13-minute journey costing ¥580). The park is just a 13-minute walk from the station. Take advantage of the JR pass for a hassle-free journey. Admission to the park is ¥800, and food stalls serving hot soup, fried chicken, ice cream, beef stew, and crepes are available, ranging from ¥200 to ¥500. Enjoy hot street food while admiring the illumination in the cool evening air. Although small in size, the park can be easily explored in an hour, and it’s best to visit during the week to avoid weekend crowds. You won’t be disappointed by the incredible light displays that cannot be fully captured by the camera. Marvel at the intricate lights shaped like flowers (roses that change color and lotuses reflecting their light on water) and the stunning arrangement of lights with real flowers. Don’t miss out on the interactive displays, including one that sends a light flow toward Earth and blooms a leaf on top. Leave with unforgettable memories and stunning photos and videos to share. Visit Ashikaga Flower Park and discover why it’s a must-visit.

Hakkai-san Firewalking Festival
2022-10-20 10:00 - 16:00
The Hakkai-san Fire Walking Festival takes place twice a year in spring and autumn, at two different shrines at the start of the hiking routes up Mount Hakkai. The autumn festival is always on October 20th at the Hakkai-san Son Shrine. Groups from all over Japan come to the festival to walk across hot coals to ensure health and prosperity. The shrine is a really pretty affair at the foot of Mount Hakkai with the main shrine sitting on a slope, and a smaller shrine set in the cedar forest next to a small waterfall (under which devotees shower in mid-winter at another event!) The festival takes place in a large open space in front of the main shrine. Fireworks announce the start of the festival at 11 am. There is about an hour of praying and offerings from priests in elaborate dress and local dignitaries before the fire makes its way down the 88 steps from the main shrine to the big bonfire. This quickly catches and gives off an impressive amount of heat that drives the crowds back. The hot coals are raked and then the action begins. The priests cross first followed by groups of devotees from far and wide. Everyone else is allowed to cross after that. Young children, the elderly, and the infirm all line up to cross and receive their blessings.

Tsuruse Yosakoi Festival
2022-10-23 - 2022-10-31
Tsuruse Yosakoi Matsuri is a fantastic traditional dance festival with a small-town vibe. It is held annually on the 3rd Sunday of October in Fujimi City, Saitama. For those unfamiliar with this kind of event, yosakoi is a type of festival that welcomes dance teams from across the area (and even the country). Teams often comprise the residents of a particular neighborhood, one university’s students, and so on. There are even teams made up of young children, or senior citizen groups. Teams dress in matching costumes that are beautiful, colorful, and bold, and march down the street performing an intricately synchronized routine. The groups perform to music and often include chanting, flag waving, and props. Some groups’ performances are up-tempo, athletic, and flashy. Others are more subtle and controlled. The variance is what makes this kind of event so worth watching. And variance: 56 different teams come to Tsuruse for this event. Teams parade down the road in 3 sections and only perform for a few minutes at a time before moving to another point. So, once you’ve found a good spot to stand or sit on the curb, you can just relax and watch the show pass by. With so many teams performing, it’s an entire day’s worth of fun. Part of the charm of the Tsuruse Yosakoi Festival is its small-town feel. This is a solid, entertaining show without the crowds and commercialized feel of the larger yosakoi festivals in Tokyo. The food vendor stands set up along the route seem to be run by local organizations rather than professionals who move from one festival to the next. The people are friendly, and there are plenty of opportunities to get a front-row spot. It’s definitely a family-friendly atmosphere. Though Tsuruse Station is a bit rural and out-of-the-way, this yosakoi festival is traditionally held on the same day as the incredible Kawagoe Festival, which is just a few stations away and really gets cooking after sunset. The Kawagoe Festival brings in many thousands of people from all over. So, why not check out the Tsuruse Yosakoi during the day before heading down the Tobu Tojo Line to Kawagoe in the evening? It makes for a great 1-2 punch. The Tsuruse Yosakoi Festival is free. The beginning of the route is less than a 1-minute walk from the West Exit of Tsuruse Station on the Tobu Tojo Line (which becomes the Fukutoshin Line in Tokyo). It is located on the road running directly away from the station. You can follow the Tsuruse Yosakoi on Twitter at @tsuruseyosakoi (Japanese only).

Shirakami Shrine Autumn Festival
2022-10-29
Shirakami-san is a historic shrine in downtown Hiroshima, located right on Peace Boulevard. During its autumn festival, held on October 28 & 29 every year, the decorated shrine is buzzing, food and game stalls line the street, and you can enjoy this region’s brand of colorful and rhythmic kagura dance.

Keyaki Hiroba's winter illumination display
2022-11-12 17:00 - 2022-11-25 23:30
The Keyaki Hiroba’s winter illumination display is a must-see spectacle each year, with a unique theme that sets it apart from the previous year’s display. This year, they are presenting “Brilliant Earth Garden”, using stunning 500,000 lights to bring the trees to life and create mesmerizing photo opportunities. Located in Tamaari Town, formerly known as Saitama Shintoshin or Saitama Super Arena, Keyaki Hiroba is conveniently situated near the JR Saitama Shintoshin station, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This year’s illumination display starts a bit later than usual, with the switch-on taking place on November 7th, and continuing until February 14th, 2021, marking the end of this annual event.

Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri
2022-12-15 - 2022-12-18 | 160 Kasugano-cho Nara, 160 Kasugano-cho Nara, Kasugano, Nara, Japan
Traditional performing arts can be enjoyed at this annual festival held since the 12th century. Named after the Wakamiya shrine that resides in the larger Kasuga-Taisha shrine complex, this On-Matsuri was originally held to pray for a rich harvest and good health. Spanning 4 days, the main events actually take place on the 17th. Visitors can enjoy kagura performances, traditional dances and bugaku (traditional Japanese court music), considered an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government. One of the highlights is undoubtedly the ‘Jidai Gyoretsu’ (Period Procession), where 500 volunteers dressed in traditional costumes represent the successive eras from the Heian period (9th century) through to the late Edo period (19th century).

Legoland BricXmas
2022-12-18 10:00 - 2022-12-25 16:00
The festive season is upon us, and Legoland will be welcoming it with their Legoland BricXmas event. Running from November 13th until December 26th, the family-friendly affair will include a variety of seasonal touches including the world’s largest Lego Christmas tree (it uses 610,000 blocks and stands at a whopping 10 meters high), illuminations, Christmas photo spots, a Christmas-themed menu, and plenty more.
Along with the giant Lego Christmas tree, there will be other themed Lego decorations (Photo: Legoland Japan)
Admission prices to Legoland Japan vary depending on how far in advance you book your ticket. Pricing information can be found on the official website here.

Haneda's New Year Edo Festival
2023-01-01 - 2023-01-09 | Haneda Airport, Ota City, Tokyo 144-0041, Haneda Airport, Ota City, Tokyo 144-0041, Ota, Tokyo, 144-0041, Japan
To welcome the New Year, Haneda Airport is hosting a unique, unmissable event: the Haneda Edo festival, recreating the era of Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. Between January 1st and 3rd, you can enjoy different events on the theme of the Edo period. One event is the twice-daily rice cake pounding: using old-fashioned mortar and pestle you can experience Mochitsuki (pounding boiled rice into mochi). There are also must-see Samurai and Geisha shows, with a Samurai parade, choreographed swordfights, ninjas, and beautiful geisha dances in modern arrangements. Other street performers will appear around the airport: you’ll meet balloon performers, traditional lion dancers, buskers, traditional bands, and acrobatic groups. Even children can enjoy the spirit of the Edo Era through traditional craft experiences, as several workshops will be held for both adults and children. You can make some items used by the warlords of Japan, paint your own Daruma Doll, make Ninja scrolls using Japanese calligraphy, take part in a stamp rally, and even enjoy a Find the Missing Person game. In a picture corner, you can take fun photos using a full range of face panels, kimonos, and umbrellas. Then if you post the pictures on your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram profile, you can win prizes.

Daffodil Festival
2023-01-01 - 2023-01-18
Gongendo Park is renowned for its picturesque cherry blossom and rapeseed landscapes. However, the park also boasts an array of seasonal flowers that bloom throughout the year. During January and early February, you can witness over half a million daffodils in full bloom, standing amidst the bare Sakura trees.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the State of Emergency declared in 2021, the park’s annual daffodil festival had to be canceled. Despite this, visitors can still enjoy the beauty of daffodils. In a typical year, the festival would run from early January to mid-February, with additional events and food stalls being organized for the occasion. Additionally, there is a permanent cafe located within the park that serves refreshments, including ice cream and drinks.

Atami Plum Garden Festival in Shizuoka
2023-01-07 08:30 - 2023-03-05 16:00
The Atami Plum Garden in Shizuoka is famous for its early-blooming plum trees, and visitors can enjoy the sight of close to 500 trees in 59 different varieties during the annual plum festival. With early, mid, and late-blooming trees, there is always something in bloom during the festival period which runs from mid-February to mid-March. Admission to the garden during the festival is priced at 300 yen for adults, and free for junior high school students and younger children.

KYOTO STEAM
2023-01-27 - 2023-02-15
The KYOTO STEAM festival offers a one-of-a-kind blend of art and cultural events that delve into the interplay between art and science. Held annually in March in Okazaki, Kyoto, the festival showcases a diverse range of exhibitions suitable for all ages, guaranteed to leave you with lasting memories.

Odawara Flower Garden Plum Festival
2023-01-28 09:00 - 2023-03-05 17:00
The Odawara Flower Garden, established in 1995, is a must-visit destination for floral enthusiasts. With a variety of seasonal blooms, the garden is particularly popular during the plum tree blossoming season. An annual festival is held during this time, offering visitors the chance to admire hundreds of different plum tree varieties, including early, mid, and late-blooming types. Along with the beautiful blossoms, the festival features several other exciting activities. Guests can enjoy guided tours where garden staff explain the different varieties found on the grounds, a plant-dyeing craft event, a limited-time menu of plum-inspired food, and much more.
Among the special menu items at the garden is plum soba, available for ¥600. Admission to the garden is free, but those wishing to explore the tropical greenhouse must pay a fee of ¥200.

Nanrakuen Plum Festival
2023-01-28 09:00 - 2023-03-05 17:00
Nanrakuen Garden in Ehime hosts a plum festival annually from late January to early March. This event celebrates the beauty of around 160 plum trees in full bloom. Visitors can enjoy free plum tea, amazake, and zenzai during the festival, as well as purchase plants and flowers. For those who can’t make it during the plum season, there are other flower events held throughout the year such as sakura, azalea, and iris festivals. Admission to the park is 310 yen for adults and 150 yen for school-aged students and seniors aged 65 and above.
