One of the most photogenic scenes of a Japanese festival is the floats, which are beautifully decorated. But you may not be able to see them in larger cities like Tokyo because of the busy and narrow streets and electric wires. That’s why I especially recommend the Kawagoe Matsuri. Kawagoe is a beautiful town not far from Tokyo, and the traditional backdrop makes this festival extra interesting. It is held every year on the third Saturday and Sunday of October.

History of Kawagoe Matsuri

There was a big fire in 1638 in the Kawagoe castle town, and half of the town burnt down. One year later, Matsudaira Nobutsuna, a high-rank minister of the Tokugawa Shogunate, came to Kawagoe to reconstruct the town. In 1648, he donated two portable shrines, a lion head for the dance, and drums to the local Hikawa Shrine. And this is when the parade of the portable shrine started as a Shinto ritual.

Gradually, the merchants of Kawagoe became wealthy after the redevelopment of the town. Then they started to build floats for the festival. Kawagoe Matsuri is influenced by the Kanda Festival, one of the three big festivals during the Edo period (1603 – 1867). The Kanda Festival is held in Tokyo, but they don’t use floats anymore. So, the Kawagoe Festival has kept the tradition of an important festival. In 2005, it was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the national government. Then in 2016, it was listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO together with 32 other festivals in Japan.

Characteristics of Kawagoe Matsuri

There are 29 floats, which are owned by each district of Kawagoe. During the festival, they drag the floats through town and play music on the floats. Each float has a doll on top whose theme is derived from mythology, historical heroes, local folk stories, noh plays, etc. Some floats were made during the Edo period, making them over 150 years old. Many floats were made by the same craftsmen who made the floats for the Kanda Festival. They also have portable shrines that are carried by many people.

One of the best points of the festival is that the floats parade through streets lined by traditional warehouses. These houses make Kawagoe a special place. It feels like being transported back in time to the Edo period. So, the town of Kawagoe is also called ‘Koedo’, which means Little Edo.

Hikkawase is one of the highlights of the festival. When two floats happen to face each other, they stay there a while and play their own music. It looks like they are fighting. Another event you should definitely stick around for is the light-up. Once evening falls, they turn on the lights of the paper lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere.

Food Stalls and Game Stalls

Street food sold in temporary stalls is one of the main attractions of the festival. Typical festival foods are takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), yakisoba (fried noodles), and yakitori (chicken on a stick).

You can try playing some traditional games, too. Scooping goldfish is very popular. You need to scoop the fish with a paper scoop which easily tears when it gets wet. But experts can get dozens of goldfish! the shooting game is also popular. If you can make a prize from the shelf drop with a rubber bullet, you win it.

Our Visit to the Kawagoe Festival

I took some of my customers, a family, to the festival in 2016. We arrived at Kawagoe Station before it got dark, so we had the chance to walk around town first. We saw the street with traditional warehouses, old clock tower, Candy Street and so on. Enjoying Kawagoe is also possible when there is no festival going on.

When the floats started to move, we watched some of them. The family had a great time watching the floats going through the old street. The children also enjoyed some games. Though the town was very crowded, we were lucky to find a spot in a restaurant where we enjoyed tasty soba noodles and rice cakes.

Access to Kawagoe

From Ikebukuro, take the Tobu Tojo Line to Kawagoe. It takes 30 minutes by express train.
From Seibu Shinjuku, take the Seibu Shinjuku Line to Hon-Kawagoe. It takes about an hour by express train.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including guides who can tell you all about Japanese festival culture. The guide can take you to the sightseeing spots of Kawagoe and to the festival if you wish. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Kawagoe Area Map

What is Nara Mantoe festival?

Mantoe or 万燈会 literally means ‘lantern festival’ during which thousands of paper lanterns dedicated by followers are lit. They are then displayed in the huge precincts of the temple. The scenery of thousands of lanterns’ lights spreading out in front of the world’s largest wooden building is truly magnificent.

About 10 years ago I made it a habit to dedicate a lantern and visit the festival every year. The dedicator can request the words written on the paper lantern. The words can be the name of the deceased loved one, your wish, or simply your favorite words. This year I chose one from the collection of Zen words, 明珠在掌, which means ‘A treasure is already held in your hand’. Time flies and when this festival rolls around there are only 4 months left in the current year. Embracing memories of deceased loved ones, I like to spend the rest of the days thankful with the words 明珠在掌.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Nara. We can also include a visit to a festival on private tours. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Todaiji Area Map

Gion Festival Highlights

The first highlight is ‘hoko tate’ (float assembling) which starts on July 10th. It goes on for a couple of days in every corner of Kyoto’s downtown area, and it is definitely worth seeing! The framework of the float is assembled skillfully by only straw ropes. I really love to watch and see how experienced artisans work on it. What especially impresses me is the beautifully arranged knots of ropes.

Although the framework will be covered later with tapestries, artisans won’t cut corners. Creating and arranging the knots of ropes beautifully is what they are proud of. Even though invisible, the covered parts are given as much attention as the visible parts… That’s the spirit of Japanese culture. As the float assembling goes on, the streets boast a festive mood with a lot of vendors selling typical festival foods and drinks. And festival music played all around with drums, bamboo flutes, and bells adds to the festive atmosphere.

Gion Festival Day

On the festival day itself, the main thing I try to avoid is the huge crowds. Especially on the 17th, the day of float procession called Yamaboko Junko. People start to gather around the main streets to secure the best spot to see the procession from around 7 am, 2 hours ahead of the starting time. Around the main intersection where the spectacle of the huge float turning can be seen is by far the most crowded place.

Once you get in the crowd it’s almost impossible to move around for a while. This is why I always secure my position at a corner of less crowded streets, the corner of Shinmachi street and Shijo street are good areas. There are no obstacles that block your view and you will still feel the lively spirit of the participants wearing a happi, the traditional uniform for festivals.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Kyoto. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Throughout the year there are many matsuri in Japan. Every region has its fair share of mainly spring, summer, and autumn festivals, but even in winter, some locales have festivities on the calendar. Summer is undeniably the peak of Japanese festivals’ season, and fireworks are often part of it. If you visit Japan in summer, chances are you will happen upon a local festival, whether you are traveling in the city or in the countryside.

Meaning of Japanese Festivals

The original meaning of the word ‘matsuri ‘(festival in Japanese) is ‘to welcome the invisible to a place where they become visible’. In other words, gods or spirits who are usually invisible visit during festivals, and are welcomed by the people. Japanese festivals have been handed down from ancient times and are celebrated to bring about communication between gods and people. Among the large variety of Shinto spirits, however, there are some that bring about diseases and natural disasters, so festivals are also set up to ward off evil spirits.

The festival usually consists of two parts: the first part is a more solemn worship ritual at the shrine, and the second part is the more festive part where often a mikoshi (portable shrine) is carried through the streets while being cheered on by onlookers hereby also blessing the areas it passes through.

Copious amounts of alcohol and merriment are also an important part of many of these festivals. Many people dress up in traditional clothes, and there are special festival foods to be had like yakisoba, takoyaki, and chocolate-covered bananas.

Famous Matsuri

The Japanese like to use number 3 to summarize things. When it comes to festivals, however, opinions are divided on which three festivals are considered to be Japans’s main festivals. For instance, there are many who think the Sanja Festival in Tokyo, the Gion Festival in Kyoto, and the Tenjin Festival in Osaka are the three largest festivals. But another view holds that the three largest festivals are the Sanno Festival in Tokyo, the Aoi festival in Kyoto, and the Tenjin Festival in Osaka. All of these matsuri are held between April and October.

Another important festival is the Hanamatsuri or Flower Festival that is held on April 8 to celebrate the birth of Gautama Buddha. Formally called Kanbutsu-e, the festival is observed based on the story about Buddha’s birth in which a dragon flew down from heaven and poured fragrant water. People now pour amacha, or sweetened tea, onto the statue of Buddha to commemorate this story of origin.

Doll Festival

The Hinamatsuri also appeals to the imagination, this is the festival for girls on March 3rd when daughters are celebrated and wishes are expressed for their future happiness. Hinamatsuri is the day on which hina ningyo, a set of dolls dressed in ancient costumes, are displayed together with peach blossoms as decoration. A sweet drink made of rice called shirozake is offered.

The original form of this custom was purifying oneself in water. but later paper dolls were used instead of people bathing themselves. In the Edo period, paper dolls were turned into the more sophisticated ones we see today. Boys are celebrated by flying a koi fish banner on May 5th, which was originally Boy’s Day, but became Children’s Day eventually.

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History of the Danjiri Matsuri in Osaka

The festival is said to have its origin in the Inari Matsuri held in the 16th year of the Genroku era (1703). The festival was created by the Lord of Kishiwada Castle to pray for an abundant harvest. And it has from its very beginning enjoyed great local support.

The Danjiri Matsuri quickly grew in significance for the people of Kishiwada. Gates normally barring townspeople from entering the castle grounds were thrown open on festival days. Feudal lords of Kishiwada looked on as each Danjiri was drawn in. And each Danjiri pulling team staged various, high-spirited performances.

34 Danjiri teams bring their sacred float on a  ‘recklessly’ swift tour of this castle town. It is a race of strength, endurance, and celebration. Each Danjiri is hand-made entirely of zelkova wood. One float weighs about 4 tons, is 3,8 meters high, 4 meters long and 2.5 meters wide. The draw-rope is from 100 to 200 meters in length and is pulled by as many as 500 to 1000 people.

Important Danjiri Terms

Hiki-dashi (Opening pull): The opening of the Danjiri Matsuri with high spirits and speed. Danjiris in tow, all 34 Danjiri teams begin a mad dash around the streets of Kishiwada. The sound of the siren comes at 6 am, which is when they all spring into action.

Yari-mawashi (Corner turning): Working both front and rear levers in unison, Danjiri teams literally “skid” their heavy Danjiris around each street corner. Done quickly to the beat of drums and shouts of the pulling team, corner turning is one of the most dramatic elements of the festival.

Horimono (Wood carvings): Each of the massive Danjiri is adorned with a number of intricate wood carvings. The carvings depict celebrated battles and records of war in ancient Japan.

Miya-iri (Going to worship at the shrine): In the morning on the second day, 34 Danjiri are divided into three groups. This is the day that they go to worship at the three major Shinto shrines in Kishiwada.

Hi-iri Ei-kou (Parade of lantern-lit Danjiris): In the evenings, brilliant sails of red lanterns are affixed to each of the Danjiris. Then they begin a slow procession along the main parade route. As the pace becomes leisurely, the bright lanterns and costumes and the rhythmic drums and chants blend. Together with the sounds and smells of the night vendors, they produce a wonderfully different experience. An evening matsuri.

Locally Organized Festival

The citizens of Kishiwada are proud to hail the Danjiri Matsuri of Kishiwada as the greatest of its kind in Japan. Townspeople, from the youngest to the oldest, take part in the festival with duties assigned to them according to age. Each Danjiri team is organized and managed by a particular ‘cho’, an area within the community covering a certain number of blocks. Few examples of traditional cultural festivals of this size and of this degree of organized participation still exist in Japan today.

If you are not in Osaka when the festival is held but still want to get a taste of it, you can visit the Danjiri Kaikan museum. This museum is open year-round and gives a nice idea of what the atmosphere must be like during the actual festival.

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Danjiri Festival Area Map

Floating Lanterns

The festival is called Toro Nagashi which literally means ‘lantern floating’. Small lamps made of paper with written messages of peace and personal desires are floated on the river. Anyone attending the festival can do this. A candle is installed in the lanterns and set in the river in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome to float away.

At nightfall, this turns the entire area into an area of ​​peace, union, reflection, and beauty. This is a wonderful event, which can be defined as a great peace festival. All the people gather around the river to observe this light show while remembering what happened on August 6, 1945. They all pray that the tragedy of the nuclear bomb will never happen again.

The Toro Nagashi is meant to guide the souls that remained on earth to the spiritual world. The ceremony is not exclusive to Hiroshima but is part of the holiday held in August called Obon. This is said to be the time that the spirits return to the earthly plane to meet their loved ones once more.

Toro Nagashi Matsuri Festival Origin

Local people say that shortly after the war, the families of the ones that were lost to the atomic bombing began this tradition. This tradition has been carried out to this day and now takes place in several important rivers of Hiroshima on the night of this special day.

If you want to participate, you can go to the awnings where there are notices saying that they make the lamps. A sheet of paper is given to the participant to write their message and then the volunteers cordially make the lamp. Anyone can write peace messages on the lanterns, which will be set afloat in the river. They will pass directly in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome.

The experience of seeing the warm lights of some 10,000 lanterns as they float quietly downstream in the darkness of the night. Each with peace desires from the assembled attendees, is a fantastic experience, almost from another world. Participants in this event include not only the locals of Hiroshima but also many visitors who come from all over the world.

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Area Map

During the hot summer days, one of the most spectacular Obon festivals in Japan is celebrated in central Tokyo. For the Mitama Matsuri, the Yasukuni Shrine is decorated with more than 30,000 traditional Japanese lanterns, running all the way from the great torii gate to the main gate of the sanctuary.

Obon Mitama Festival

Obon is the holiday during which the spirits of the family, friends, and ancestors return to the earth for three days to visit their loved ones and celebrate the holiday with them. In Japan, Obon is celebrated on different dates depending on the region, and in Kanto, where Tokyo is located, it is celebrated in mid-July.

The Yasukuni Shrine has been the backdrop for the famous Mitama Matsuri (Festival of Souls) since 1947. Thousands of people from both Japan and foreign countries visit this festival, amounting to approximately 300,000 visitors annually. The Mitama Matsuri takes place from July 12 to July 16, and for those days the Yasukuni Shrine offers a wide range of activities, aimed at all ages.

Mitama Festival Celebrations

Normally in the morning, the community of neighbors of the Kudanshita area performs traditional dances. They do this to welcome the spirits. Then in the afternoon, the lanterns will glow and the omikoshi (portable shrine) is carried by the men of the community. Dancing through the wide street of the shrine enclosure, it makes for a spectacular sight. There are also musical activities or martial arts presentations at the Noh Theater of the sanctuary. At nightfall, Mitama Matsuri enters its peak of beauty. Giving the visitor the opportunity to meet with their loved ones who are in the other world, it feels magical.

In the place where the statue of Omura Masujiro is located, all visitors gather. They are usually dressed in yukata (casual summer kimono) for the ‘Bon Dori’, the Obon dance. Bon Dori is performed to receive the spirit of the deceased and feel their presence again. The dance tends to be simple but very fun and cheerful.

Drawings

In the internal precincts of the sanctuary, paintings and drawings made by various artists and even by children are displayed. They represent the importance of art within the spiritual world. The main door sports the traditional decoration of the Tanabata Festival. The lanterns are not only on the outskirts but small lanterns also form a beautiful path that permeates the entire spiritual enclosure with light and serenity.

This is a great festival and one of the most important festivals of the year. Here, people of all ages gather to thank for peace and celebrate with love the visit of those beings who are no longer with us on earth.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Tokyo. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!