Ikegami Oeshiki
2022-10-11 16:00 - 2022-10-13 23:00 (Asia/Tokyo)
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.

Aki Irodori Festa
2022-10-17 09:30 - 2022-10-30 16:00
Spring isn’t the only time of year to enjoy colorful seasonal blooms in Japan – autumn packs a punch, too! Kagawa’s Sanuki Mannou Park hosts their annual Aki Irodori Festa from mid-September through until early November, and the event showcases the beauty of pink cosmos and red kochia bushes. In total, you’ll find around 300,000 cosmos plants in eight varieties, and approximately 6000 kochia bushes. For those wanting to catch the kochia in their trademark vibrant red hue, aim for around mid-October.

Kimono Expo
2022-10-19 11:00 - 2022-10-24 17:00
Kimono are an important part of Japanese culture, and the upcoming Kimono Expo in Tokyo allows visitors to experience the splendor of these traditional garments in a variety of unique ways.
The event will include talks about kimono-related topics from experts in the industry, including the likes of Niigata’s Echigo Dyeing Studio and Ito Sachi, one of Japan’s leading fabric manufacturers. There will also be a number of hands-on workshops for attendees to participate in, such as Bingata fabric dyeing (a dyeing technique that originated in Okinawa) and obi sash making.
For those not based in the Tokyo area, a sister event will be held in Osaka from October 26th until October 31st at the Hankyu Grand Building (26 F).

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.

Ishidan Marathon at Mount Haguro
2022-10-22 - 2022-10-30
Mount Haguro in Yamagata Prefecture has always been known as a popular spot for hikers. But come mid-October, the lowest of the Dewa Sanzan mountains (“The Three Mountains of Dewa,” i.e. Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono) attracts those seeking to ascend it in a slightly different manner. Held yearly since 2001, the Ishidan Marathon brings more than 300 competitors to Haguro, the village named after Mount Haguro. At first glance, the village’s most popular annual event seems not too dissimilar from other popular Japanese races. Sure, the opening ceremony in the Haguro High School gymnasium—where all the runners gather to obtain bib numbers—features horagai-blowing yamabushi (mountain ascetics) and competitors start roughly 50 meters from the village’s huge red torii. But as crowds cram the Toge section of Haguro—home to several shops and family-run restaurants—to cheer on the competitors, the Ishidan Marathon seems just like any other race in Japan. That is, until the second half of the race beckons. The first three kilometers are run up an incline, but those who have trained adequately for it shouldn’t be too fazed. However, just after passing a group of youngsters playing taiko near the Ideha Cultural Museum, the real fun starts. Because the runners are about to enter the woods of Mount Haguro and tackle its 2,446 stone steps, which the event is named after (Ishidan means “stone steps”). Tiring enough for those slowly walking up the mountain, the slippery steps—which are totally not conducive for running—render most of the already-tired runner’s walkers. So the race becomes—for many—an exercise in willing themselves across the finish line without falling. When competitors do stumble across the finish line, which is in the vicinity of several gift shops, they are rewarded with the customary post-race snacks: onigiri, sports drink, and something else: soup made by several lovely obasan, including my landlord’s wife. After refueling, most runners would locate their clothes, complete a recommended cool-down, and bounce a.s.a.p.—except that being on the summit of Mount Haguro makes a quick departure impossible. But they need not despair as the Ishidan Marathon experience is far from over—organizers then shoo the finishers into the nearby Dewa Sanzan Historical Museum, where the athletes can enjoy the race highlights on a projector…if they’re not mortified by how out-of-shape they appear. Next up is the closing ceremony, during which the top finishers in each age group receive a price or two—but not something that goes around their necks. Instead, the top three finishers in each age group receive, at least, one five-kilogram bag of rice, while the top five overall male and female finishers are presented with a wooden plaque commemorating their accomplishment on which their names are inscribed. Only one question then remains…how the hell do all the athletes get back to Haguro High School? There’s no way they can walk back down Mount Haguro. Fortunately, they don’t have to. In the parking lot near the Dewa Sanzan Historical Museum, two buses are ready to take the runners back to the high school. Pretty cool way to end a unique race. Practical information This race takes place in October each year. Strictly speaking, it is not a marathon as it is much shorter. There are two ways to participate: Ishidan Marathon: running a 6km course (including 2,446 steps!) Ishidan Walking: walking a 1.9km course. There is a participation fee. Registration takes place in July and August. To register, please call the Dewa Society for Commerce and Industry (Dewa Shokokai) at +81-(0)235-62-4252. More information (in Japanese) and photos of past races can be found on the Dewa Shokokai website.

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.

Earth Vegan Fest
2022-10-29 10:00 - 2022-10-30 15:00
The Earth Vegan Fest is an event designed to spread awareness of veganism in Japan. The event will include stage presentations and workshops, vegan foods, vegan beauty products, and more. The event also aims to be sustainable and zero waste, so if you do plan on purchasing something, you’re asked to bring your own plate, utensils, cup, and recyclable bag. There will also be a compost bin available at the venue for any food scraps! Entry to the event is free, but do bring some yen if you plan to make a purchase from the vendors.

Naked Star Aquarium✨
2022-11-03 10:00 - 2022-12-25 17:00
To welcome in the festive season, Tokyo’s Shinagawa Aquarium is hosting a seasonal event in collaboration with the popular digital art collective Naked. The Naked Star Aquarium is set to include dolphin performances surrounded by colorful projection mapping, interactive Christmas trees that visitors can “decorate”, fish tanks surrounded by digital cityscapes, and plenty more.

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.

Umie Ice Marina
2022-11-19 16:00 - 2023-02-14 20:00
Discover the ultimate winter ice skating experience at Umie Ice Marina in Hyogo. This highly sought-after annual event offers breathtaking views of Kobe Harbor while you skate on the rink. If you don’t have your own skates, you can rent them along with gloves at the venue. However, if you bring your own skates, you’ll receive a ¥400 discount on your admission fee. Keep in mind that the rink hours vary between weekdays and weekends. On weekdays, the rink is open from 4 PM to 8 PM, while on weekends, it’s open from 11 AM to 8 PM.

Kobe Luminarie
2022-12-09 18:00 - 2022-12-18 22:00
Kobe Luminarie is held every year in the first two weeks of December to commemorate the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995. Luminarie is an Italian word meaning illumination using miniature bulbs. The bulbs in the Kobe Luminarie have been provided by the Italian government and the illumination symbolizes hope for Kobe citizens. Kobe Luminarie is held at the Kyu Gaikokujin Kyoryuchi and the Higashi Yuenchi. Times vary by day: Monday to Thursday 6 pm – 9:30 pm Friday 6 pm – 10 pm Saturday 5 pm – 10 pm Sunday 5 pm – 9:30 pm The event entrance is free but 100-yen donations can be made to support this 1995 Osaka earthquake requiem event.

Kasukabe Hagoita Market
2022-12-15 - 2022-12-31
The pride of Kasukabe City is a long tradition of crafting paulownia wood furniture, baskets, and hats. But the most eye-catching craft in the city is undoubtedly the hagoita. Since the Muromachi Period, nearly 700 years ago, the hanetsuki game became popular in Japan. The game is similar to badminton. Players bat a shuttlecock back and forth as long as they can using wooden paddles called hagoita. The longer the players can keep the shuttlecock in play, the more luck they can receive in the coming year. Gradually, the hagoita became an ornamental object in the Edo Period. Oshie, a form of fabric relief sculpture, is applied to the hagoita to depict kabuki actors, celebrities, and even animated characters. The hagoita come in various sizes and are priced accordingly. Shoppers can take home an image of a warrior or kabuki actor for prosperity, or a maiden for happiness and good luck in the new year. The Kasukabe Hagoita Market also displays the other traditional crafts produced in the city, so you have a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs to choose from. If you want to learn more about hagoita and doll production or miss the market, visit the neighboring Iwatsuki Ward of Saitama City, home of the Doll History Museum.

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).

Lantern Night Osaka
2022-12-16 16:00 - 2022-12-18 20:00
Osaka’s annual Lantern Night event takes place for three days during December, with attendees able to enjoy thousands of LED lanterns coloring the night sky. Along with the colorful lanterns on display, the event also includes Christmas-themed foods, drinks, handmade items for sale, fun stage performances, and even appearances from Santa Claus to enhance the festive atmosphere. Adult admission to the event is priced at 6,500 yen which includes a LED sky lantern, and admission for children aged between 6 to 12 years is priced at 2,500 yen (no lantern is included in that price). Children aged 5 years and below receive free admission.

Hagoita-Ichi Fair
2022-12-17 09:00 - 2022-12-19 21:00
Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji in Asakusa, holds an annual three-day fair called Hagoita-Ichi to sell good luck ornamental bats, called hagoita in Japanese. Dating back to Edo times, the festival takes place in front of Sensoji. From December 17th to 19th, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, 50 open-air stalls will be set up near the main hall of the temple. Hagoita is ornamental rectangular bats with a handle, modeled on those used in the traditional New Year’s game of hanetsuki, a sport quite similar to badminton. The hagoita is usually made of Japanese cedar, decorated on one side with lacquered or embroidered images. The good luck bats are traditionally decorated with images of kabuki actors, but actually these days you can find them decorated with cartoon characters, or sports, cinema, and TV stars. It is common practice for both sellers and buyers to clap their hands together when a sale is completed.

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.

Ushiku Daibutsu New Year Events
2022-12-29 - 2023-01-08
Hatsumode is the practice of the first religious worship of the year. It is typically associated with the first visit to a shrine, but some people prefer to worship at a temple. The temple at the Ushiku big Buddha, known as a Daibutsu, is a popular New Year’s pilgrimage for many. The temple offers many attractions for those who make the journey, from near and far, to pay homage to the big Buddha over New Year. New Year’s Fireworks The New Year’s at Ushiku Daibutsu is for three days from the evening of December 31st until the afternoon of January 3rd. It starts with a countdown event to the New Year and fireworks are launched at the stroke of midnight. Fireworks are a common way to ring in the New Year in many countries, but despite fireworks being very popular in Japan, they are not common in New Year at all. Ushiku Daibutsu is one of only a few places that ring in the New Year with a fireworks display at the stroke of midnight. The fireworks illuminate the stunning 120-meter-tall Buddha – one of the three largest Buddha statues in the whole world. Free entry From January 1st to 3rd you can enter the statue for free. Inside there is a small lotus-shaped museum, a gallery of golden Buddha statues, and an observation deck at 85 meters. Entry is normally 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children just to enter the gardens. Combined with entry to the giant Buddha too it costs 800 yen for adults and 500 yen for children. This is a rare opportunity to enter both for free. Children’s events There is a small petting zoo at the back of the giant Buddha. They put on stage performances with animals a couple of times a day during the New Year period.
