A cheapo's guide to Japan
This is the main festival for Karatsu Shrine – a shrine with over 400 years of history and one of Saga Prefectures most popular festivals.
The feature of this festival is the giant “Hikiyama” floats that are pulled through the streets. The floats weigh between 2 and 4 tonnes and may be up to 7 meters in height.
The highlight of the festival is day 2 (November 3rd) when the floats are dragged along the beach through the sand – often getting stuck.
One of the most impressive sights in Japan this January, the Wasakusa Yamayaki sees the entire mountainside go up in flames as fireworks are launched behind it. Although its origins are unclear, possible explanations include disputes about boundary lines between […]
An amazing chance to see a remote, snow-covered thatched village illuminated with hundreds of lanterns.
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 […]
