The ultimate guide to Japan travel
One of Tohoku‘s biggest snow festivals, the Iwate snow festival showcases structures and statues crafted by over 4000 people as well as a snow-slide and snow train. There will be a chance to try warming local specialties like milk ramen and meet the locals over cups of amazake (a sweet rice wine). There are plenty of onsen in the area, so combine the festival with a soak for a true traditional experience.
See our guide on how to get from Tokyo to Tohoku.
One of the many traditional Setsubun festivals taking place across Kyoto (and Japan), Yasaka Shrine’s version is unusual in that it features Geiko – the Kyoto version of Geisha. On the first day, there will be dance performances and bean-throwing […]
One of the best-known Setsubun festivals in Kyoto, this is a great place to drive away those evil spirits and welcome in the new spring season. Priests begin the day with a cleansing ritual at around 1pm, followed by an […]
Celebrated to mark the end of winter and the day before spring begins on the old lunar calendar, Setsubun is an age-old Japanese ceremony thought to drive evil spirits from the house. Many people dress as demons and are herded […]
Officially called the Noboribetsu Onsen Hot Water Festival (Noboribetsu onsen yu matsuri), this unique festival takes place at the coldest time of year, when the last thing you want to be is naked (well, semi-naked) while running around at night […]