The ultimate guide to Japan travel
First held in 1655, the Sendai Aoba Festival takes place at the beginning of the warm season, in early May 2020.
The Yoi Matsuri on Saturday night features the Suzume Odori, the Sparrow Dance, performed by thousands of dancers. On Sunday, many mikoshi shrines and large yamaboko floats are paraded down the city streets.
The main location of the Sendai Aoba Festival is Jozenji Street in central Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture. Food, crafts and various stalls will be available.
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 […]