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.
Bonfires, torches, shrines and gods are all out in the streets for this vibrant Kyoto festival. Taking place in Kurama, a small village north of Kyoto proper, the Kurama no Hi Matsuri is a cultural event rather than a big […]
Dating back to 1650, this is one of Japan’s longest running fireworks festivals. With 18,000 fireworks and 400,000 spectators, it’s also one of the largest in western Japan. The fireworks will be launched from two different locations along the Chikugo […]
Want to see a slice of Japanese history? The Jidai Matsuri—”Festival of Ages”—is one of Kyoto‘s biggest October draws. It commemorates the founding of Kyoto as the Imperial capital by the Emperor Kammu in 794, so this is definitely one […]
The Miyazakijingu Taisai (Miyazaki Shrine Grand Festival) is a traditional festival at one of Miyazaki’s major Shinto shrines with a history of more than 140 years. Colloquially known as Jinmu-sama, the festival features a “procession of the gods” on both […]
