Kobe is home to one of only a few “China towns” in Japan. As such, it’s no surprise that the Chinese New Year is a big deal.
The festivities in the district of Nankin-machi include a dragon parade, a lion dance, and martial arts demonstrations. There will also be stalls selling Chinese food and (more traditional) Chinese goods. While is starts on the 12th, there is a gap until the 17th when the festivities resume – so there won’t be any performances from the 13th to the 16th.
On the shores of Lake Towada, the venue is transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland for a period of three months in winter. In previous years, the event was compressed into three weeks in February, but in the interest of […]
While most snow festivals feature man-made sculptures, the snow monsters of Zao are entirely natural. Created in rare circumstances that require specific weather and tree formation, the snow gathers in such a way that monsters are formed in the mountains. […]
Celebrated to mark the end of winter and the day before spring begins, setsubun is an age-old Japanese ceremony thought to drive evil spirits from the house. Many people dress as demons and are herded out of businesses and houses […]
One of the many traditional Setsubun festivals taking place across Japan, this one is unusual in that it features Geiko – the Kyoto version of Geisha. On the first day, there will be dance performances and bean-throwing ceremony from 1pm […]
