Author’s Profile
Misty Fujii is a Canadian DJ and author who got here to Japan searching for journey and caught round for love. Dwelling life as a bucket record in progress, she’s as obsessed with sharing her tales as she is experiencing them. She will get enthusiastic about gathering classic vinyl information, meals from all nations, touring, and renovating her conventional Japanese home. She might be discovered on Instagram @djmisty
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Golden Week kicks off in Might, making Japan a busy and bustling place. Golden Week is a nationwide vacation when many Japanese folks go on trip. The climate can be excellent; not too sizzling or too chilly with attractive, sunny days. It solely is smart that there would even be festivals occurring, so let’s have a look at a few of the finest ones this month!
1. Koinobori Festivals
The month begins with kids’s day, celebrating boys throughout Japan. Like Hinamatsuri (Lady’s Day), which occurs in March, Koinobori is when mother and father pray for his or her sons’ power and good well being. The identify ‘Koinobori’ comes from the colourful streamers of fish hanging outdoors properties representing the fish and the youngsters’s resilience. There are additionally competition occasions held everywhere in the nation to have a good time. Some embody Kawakami Gorge in Kyushu, the place 600 koi streamers hold over the river, and Tokyo Tower, which hangs 333 streamers representing every meter of the tower. It’s nicely value discovering a spot exhibiting off their streamers, as it’s fairly a sight to behold.
When: Might 5, yearly
2. Aoi Matsuri
That is certainly one of Kyoto’s most necessary festivals and oldest, courting again over 1400 years. An annual celebration of Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, the ceremony prays for a great harvest and security throughout unhealthy climate. It is usually often known as the “Hollyhock Pageant,” named after the leaves believed to guard towards pure disasters like earthquakes and thunder. Occasions happen all through the month, with a very powerful occasion on Might 15. That is when the royal parade marches via town with folks carrying noble outfits from the Heian interval. If you wish to really feel like royalty your self, you possibly can guide a paid seat beside the Kyoto Imperial Palace for a assured nice view.
When: Might 15, 2025 (in case of rain, the occasion will probably be postponed till Might 16 with the choice introduced after 6 PM on Might 14)
Parade Route: the parade will depart at 10:30 AM from Kyoto Imperial Palace. After a break at Shimogamo Shrine, the procession will proceed and depart from the shrine at 2:20 PM. It’s going to then arrive at Kamigamo Jinja Shrine at 3:30 PM.
Web site: Aoi Matsuri
3. Kanda Matsuri
The Kanda Matsuri is held from Might eighth to fifteenth, with the Shinkōsai on Might tenth being a spotlight. Throughout this competition, spectacular mikoshi processions might be seen in varied areas, together with Kanda, Nihonbashi, Otemachi-Marunouchi, and Akihabara. As one of many three nice Shinto festivals in Tokyo, this occasion is so important that it solely occurs in odd-numbered years. Beginning in the course of the Edo interval, it was to have a good time the brand new regime and the nation’s prosperity with it.
Based mostly out of the Kanda Myojin Shrine, the three deities inside symbolize issues like good harvest, enterprise, and the wealth and success of the Japanese folks. It takes place in the course of Tokyo and has occasions spanning an entire week, with the principle parades occurring on the weekend closest to Might 15. That’s when a day-long procession makes its means via central Tokyo on Saturday, and moveable shrines weave their means via smaller neighborhoods on Sunday. The weekday occasions include performances, tea choices to the gods, and praying for prosperity and peace in Japan.
When: Might 8 – 15, 2025
Web site: Kanda Matsuri Pageant
4. Naha (Okinawa) Hari Pageant
Also referred to as The Naha Dragon Boat Race, this Okinawan competition is filled with pleasure! Pray for wealthy fishing and security at sea whereas cheering for boats of various sizes and colours as they battle on the water for first place. The boats, adorned with conventional Japanese creatures and their groups, symbolize native colleges and corporations. You possibly can even problem your self to experience on a ship! Since this energetic competition will get round 180,000 guests, you too can anticipate loads of leisure and good meals on Japan’s southern island.
When: Might 3-5, 2025
Web site: Naha Hari
5. Sanja Matsuri
There are the three nice Shinto festivals, certainly one of which is the Kanda Matsuri, however then there may be the Sanja Matsuri – certainly one of Tokyo’s three LARGEST Shinto festivals. And of these three, that is the most important and by far wildest. Held in Asakusa, the competition honors the three males who established the Sensō-ji Buddhist temple. You possibly can anticipate to see moveable shrines coated in gold leaf that value 40 million yen every. Naturally, this attracts a substantial crowd, attracting as much as 2 million vacationers and locals yearly. Different occasions embody taiko drumming and Geisha performances, together with certainly one of Japan’s finest Geisha exhibits.
When: Might 15 – 18, 2025
Web site: Sanja Matsuri
6. Hakata Dontaku
One other Golden Week competition occurs in Fukuoka, with over 30,000 performers at this huge occasion. Initially, folks dressed because the three gods of fine fortune and paraded to music, and now the competition has change into one of many largest in Japan. You possibly can anticipate a parade, performances throughout 30 completely different phases, and even the crowning of Miss Fukuoka. You don’t wish to miss the brilliantly dressed dancers or adorned floats as they make their means down Meiji-dori avenue, renamed “Dontaku Road.” The competition closes by inviting spectators to participate within the Dontaku dance and with a spectacular fireworks present.
When: Might 3 – 4, 2025
Web site: Hakata Dontaku
7. Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Pageant
Whereas cherry blossoms peak via most of Japan in March and April, by no means worry in case you occur to be in Japan in Might. Witness 2600 cherry bushes in bloom at Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture throughout this competition that’s nicely value ready for. The bushes surrounding the fort are breathtaking, particularly at evening when they’re all illuminated. One of many park’s highlights is seeing the oldest dwelling Somei Yoshino cherry blossom tree, first planted in 1882. You possibly can even take a dreamy boat tour admiring the blossoms or hire a rowboat to sightsee your self.
When: April 18 – Might 5, 2025
Web site: Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Pageant
8. Spring Fujiwara Pageant
Head to the World Heritage city of Hiraizumi in Iwate Prefecture and have a good time the Fujiwara lords liable for bringing prosperity there. You’ll see conventional folks leisure, the well-known kids’s parade, and distinctive occasions just like the Benkei strongman contests. The competition’s climax occurs on the third day with Minamoto no Yoshitsune’s Jap Flight Processional. Watch an thrilling reenactment of Fujiwara no Hidehira welcoming the arrival of Yoshitsune in Hiraizumi following an escape from his brother. A well-known performer performs the a part of Yoshitsune, including to the excitement from the attendees who pack the parade route.
When: Might 1 – 5, 2025
Web site: Fujiwara Pageant
9. Mikuni Pageant
The coastal city of Mikuni in Fukui was as soon as one of the crucial necessary ports in Japan, and yearly that is celebrated with a cheerful competition that is filled with enjoyable. The spotlight is a parade that includes big warrior floats and moveable shrines that weave their means via the slim streets. Within the night, onlookers are excited to see volunteers spinning the enormous floats in circles outdoors of Mikuni Station, every one a show of neighborhood pleasure for the realm. The competition can be a wonderful alternative to eat scrumptious avenue meals like yakisoba and takoyaki whereas having fun with music and the excessive spirits of this historic port city within the current day.
When: Might 19 – 21, yearly
Web site: Mikuni Pageant
10. Hamamatsu Pageant
Is it a fowl? Is it a aircraft? No, It’s a kite! Throughout this thrilling competition, watch dozens of kites battle it out overhead on the Hamamatsu Kite Pageant in Shizuoka Prefecture. First celebrating Yoshihiro, the primary son of the Prince of Hikuma Citadel, it was once known as “Boy’s Pageant” when folks flew kites with the household coat of arms and child’s identify. The competition now celebrates all kids, with a number of hundred folks flying their kites excessive and a parade with floats, geisha, and music. It’s a colourful and incredible approach to find out about Hamamatsu’s historical past and traditions.
When: Might 3 – 5, 2025
Web site: Hamamatsu Pageant
Due to the superb climate and the Golden Week vacation, Might is a splendid month, with a lot occurring. You might be a part of so many wealthy cultural traditions and have a good time in your Japan travels. The place will you be headed?
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