10 Best Festivals in Japan in April

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Spring is within the air, and with it comes stunning climate, cherry blossoms, and, in fact, festivals! For all these causes and extra, April is without doubt one of the hottest months for vacationers to go to Japan, so should you occur to be right here throughout spring, why not take a look at a number of the many occasions? From scorching springs to parades, listed here are 10 of the very best festivals in Japan in April! 

1. Inuyama Competition

The citadel city of Inuyama in Aichi Prefecture hosts the pageant of Haritsuna Shrine, the place the Ubusunagami (guardian deity of 1’s birthplace) is enshrined. With origins going again to 1635, the pageant’s spotlight is a parade that includes 13 historic floats making their manner down a wonderful cherry blossom-lined avenue. Every float has three ranges and good karakuri puppet exhibits. At night time, the floats are lit up gloriously with lanterns and are as soon as once more placed on parade. The climax of the pageant is when donden takes place. That is when the lads maneuvering the 5-ton floats carry them off the bottom to vary instructions, and this feat is rewarded with excited cheers from the viewers. 

When: April 5-6, 2025 from 8 am-9:45 pm

Web site: Inuyama Competition

2. Ushibuka Haiya Competition

Spring is welcomed with a vigorous pageant on the port city of Amakusa in Kumamoto Prefecture. Historically, Ushibuka ladies would sing the haiya (south wind) melody to welcome incoming ships, and these folks songs unfold throughout the nation to be sung throughout celebrations. For 3 days, the complete Ushibuka neighborhood is stuffed with haiya tunes as folks of all ages dance by the streets, singing the ocean shanty of Japan. Whilst you’re there, you may take part on the dancing, see the fishing boat sea parade, and style contemporary seafood. It’s the good pageant to immerse your self in Japanese custom and tradition. 

When: April 18-20, 2025

Web site: Ushibuka Haiya Competition

3. Kanamara Competition

Often called the “Competition of the Metal Phallus”, or just “the penis pageant”, that is by far one in every of Japan’s most original and quirky occasions. Folks have fun the penis with decorations, souvenirs, and snacks in phallic shapes, and there’s a parade that includes three penis shrines, together with the well-known pink penis named “Elizabeth”, carried by members of the transgender neighborhood. In response to one legend, the Shinto goddess Izanami was saved by a blacksmith after giving beginning to a hearth god, and the deities of miners and blacksmiths are actually revered at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki, the place this pageant takes place. It’s mentioned that praying right here brings luck in marriage, fertility, childbirth, and protected intercourse. The pageant additionally donates to HIV analysis. 

When: April 6, 2025 from 11 am-4 pm (parade departs at 11 am)

4. Takayama Competition

Ranked some of the stunning festivals in Japan, this biannual occasion held in Gifu Prefecture is actually a sight to behold. The pageant is also called the Sanno Competition and takes place at Hie Shrine within the southern a part of Takayama’s previous city. Whereas this spring pageant is to hope for harvest, it’s additionally an ideal alternative to showcase the folks artwork traditions of this city. You possibly can admire the craftsmanship of the colourful and ornate yatai (floats) displayed in the course of the pageant, full with karakuri mechanical doll performances contained in the multi-tiered floats. You can even witness a conveyable shrine containing a Shinto deity – the pageant is the one time it leaves the primary shrine. 

When: April 14-15, yearly

Web site: Takayama Competition 

5. Beppu Hatto Onsen Competition

This pageant is each onsen lover’s dream! Beppu in Oita Prefecture boasts the most important quantity of scorching spring water on the planet, and to understand its wealthy waters, bathers can take pleasure in lots of the onsen without cost throughout this pageant. If you aren’t busy soaking within the thermal waters, there are performances, conventional dance, a parade, and transportable shrines to be loved. The spotlight of the pageant, the “Sizzling Water Bukkake”, takes place at Beppu Ekimae Odori and is an interactive occasion of the pageant the place revelers get splashed with water whereas transportable shrines are paraded round.

When: April 1-6, 2025

Web site: Beppu Hatto Onsen Competition 

6. Nagahama Hikiyama Competition

Kids’s kabuki takes middle stage at this UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage occasion in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. The pageant started over 400 years in the past to have fun the primary son of warlord Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who unfold his wealth amongst the townspeople in honor of his son’s beginning. Kabuki theater, a classical type of Japanese dance drama, is normally carried out by adults in extravagant costumes and make-up. At this explicit pageant, nonetheless, youngsters aged 5 to 12 entertain the crowds with their theatrical abilities. The performances happen on unbelievable two-story hikiyama, wood floats with intricate particulars, that are paraded by the streets together with levels and dressing rooms. It’s additionally a implausible alternative to strive Nagahama’s signature dishes corresponding to mackerel somen, and yakisaba somen the place candy and bitter fish is stewed with delectable noodles. 

When: April 9-17, yearly (children kabuki: April 13 from 6 pm-7 pm, April 14 from 10 am-12 pm, April 16 from 10 am-7 pm)

Web site: Nagahama Hikiyama Competition

7. Cherry Blossom Viewing Festivals (throughout Japan)

The head of spring in Japan is the cherry blossoms! Symbolizing the impermanence of magnificence, they’re some of the iconic tokens of Japan. Folks collect to picnic beneath the fragile pink flowers, an exercise also called hanami, to have fun spring along with family and friends. The sake flows freely, there are sometimes occasions like tea ceremonies going down, and meals stalls promoting spring-themed meals and drinks.

When: March to Might, relying on location
Verify the blooming dates and the very best viewing location right here

8. Kamakura Competition

Starting with a dance that tells a tragic story and ending with an thrilling horseback archery match, this week-long pageant in Kanagawa Prefecture is a enjoyable and immersive option to have fun Kamakura and the samurai spirit. The pageant’s important occasions happen at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and may draw a big crowd, particularly for the opening and shutting performances. The primary Sunday is when the “Shizuka no Mai” dance occurs, telling the story of Girl Shizuka, who was in love with a warlord and captured by his rival, leading to her loss of life. The ultimate occasion on the next Sunday permits spectators to witness the yabusame match of horseback archery. This daring ability of capturing an arrow at a goal whereas on a horse galloping at full pace is an exciting near this bustling pageant. 

When: April 13-20, 2025

Web site: Kamakura Competition 

9. Shingenko Competition

Have you ever ever wished to be surrounded by samurai or dreamed of turning into one your self? Have fun Takeda Shingen, one in every of Japan’s most well-known and influential daimyo, with a big gathering of samurai re-enactors in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture. The pageant holds the world document for the most important group of samurai and incorporates a parade with over 1000 folks in costume. Probably the most severe patrons may even request prematurely to affix a reenactment of the battle of Kawanakajima, a mission that’s totally rehearsed within the months main as much as the pageant. If collaborating within the battle isn’t your cup of tea, you may all the time play “spot the final” as you attempt to ID every of the twenty-four generals of their distinctive apparel – like a real-life “The place’s Waldo” sport. 

When: April 4-6, 2025

10. Yayoi Competition

Historic Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture shines with the great thing about spring throughout this pageant. The 1200-year-old pageant takes place at Futarasan-jinja Shrine, the place attendees have fun spring and pray for luck. On the ultimate day, extravagant flower floats are paraded by city, and guests can strive carrying them if they want, making it a really hands-on expertise. By night time, the floats glow within the gentle of lanterns whereas the sound of drums and flutes fills the air. You’ll additionally discover many individuals carrying pink, representing probably the most iconic signal of spring: the cherry blossoms. 

When: April 13-17, yearly

Web site: Yayoi Competition 

Strive on a Kimono!

Festivals like these are an effective way to grow to be immersed in Japanese custom and tradition. If you wish to delve even deeper, we suggest visiting one in every of these festivals whereas carrying kimono! This fashion, you may expertise the pageant whereas having fun with stunning conventional Japanese clothes on the identical time. Among the finest methods to put on kimono is thru a rental, which is usually cheap and so they’ll even assist you to dress if it’s your first time. We completely suggest giving it a strive!

These festivals invite you to welcome the spring in Japan and provide distinctive sights and experiences. They’re the proper option to dive into Japanese tradition throughout a spring journey – which of them name out to you? 

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