Culture Dressing Up for Nebuta Matsuri Helen Langford The Nebuta Matsuri, held yearly August 2 to August 7, is an old festival... whose origins, not unlike most old festivals, are murky.
Festivals Awa Odori David Cooper Awa Odori is the name of Tokushima's very own street dancing festival, a joyful spectacle and a must-see for visitors to this corner of Shikoku.
Historical Toyokawa Inari Shrine Chris Glenn The complex is host to at least 3 other festivals, the Great Spring Festival... in early May, the Mitama Festival every August and the Toyokawa Great
Culture Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto Bonson Lam Home of the Aoi Matsuri or the Hollyhock Leaf Crest Festival, which blossomed throughout Japan when the Tale of Genji was written in the Heian Period.
Culture Top 10 Things to Do in Saitama Rebecca Quin carpet in Hitsujiyama Park, Chichibu, closer to Tokyo than the more famous festival... vivid, swirling shapes on ‘Moss Hill’ with stalls selling drinks and festival
12 Festivals Spring at Kitano Tenman-gu, Kyoto Julian Bohler A tea ceremony is held within the shrine precincts every year on February 25 during the Plum Blossom Festival.
12 Culture Saito Goma Fire Ceremony in Hongu Alena Eckelmann Yamabushi perform a fire ceremony at the Kumano Hongu Taisha Spring Festival in April each year
12 Festivals Niseko Snow Stage Chris Barnes Niseko Snow Stage in Kutchan is a summer festival that features a large snow stage, local food vendors and great fun for all ages.