Various places in Dazaifu city being wrapped with the light Speaking of Dazaifu City in Fukuoka Prefecture, along with "Kitano Tenmangu Shrine" in Kyoto, it is the home of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which is the "So-ja shrine" (shrine enshrining several gods) of "Tenmangu" in Japan. The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is visited by 8.5 million people annually, and many events are held … [Read more...] about Dazaifu Lantern Festival (Koto no Hikari), Fukuoka
Festival
YOSAKOI Soran Festival, Hokkaido
Mixed "Yosakoi Festival" and Hokkaido folk song "Soran Bushi" "YOSAKOI Soran Festival" is a feature of Sapporo in early summer. The dancers wearing "Naruko" (musical instrument), dressed in unique costumes, are enchanted by the dynamic performance. It is a big event that attracts about 2 million people every year. The festival is held in more than a dozen venues in the city, … [Read more...] about YOSAKOI Soran Festival, Hokkaido
Umi No Bon Festival, Miyagi
Summer festival, while cherishing the tradition of “Sacred Place Matsushima” Matsushima has long been known for its beauty since ancient times in Heian, and is now designated as a National Scenic Spot and Prefectural Natural Park. Many visitors to the area were so admired of their beauty that they praised them for painting and poetry. The views from the four observatories, … [Read more...] about Umi No Bon Festival, Miyagi
Arashiyama Floating Lantern, Kyoto
Bonfire and lanterns are set on "Osawa no Ike pond" Nearly 57 million tourists visit Kyoto annually, but Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama / Sagano are competing for the top spot. So Arashiyama and Sagano are some of the most popular tourist spots in Kyoto and nationwide. The typical scene of Arashiyama is Togetsukyo Bridge, but when viewed from the downstream side, the … [Read more...] about Arashiyama Floating Lantern, Kyoto
Dosojin Fire Festival, Nagano
Widely religious throughout the country Nozawa Onsen is a hot spring town located in Nozawa Onsen Village, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture. It is an old hot spring that is said to have been discovered during the Nara period. In addition to the hot spring inns, there are 13 communal baths where you can take a relatively low fee. In winter, ski slopes are very famous, and … [Read more...] about Dosojin Fire Festival, Nagano
Niigata Festival, Niigata
The first day's main event is "Dai-Minyo-Nagashi" (Great Dance Festival) where more than 10,000 citizens participate. Origin of "Niigata Festival" is in "Sumiyoshi Procession" which had been done since the Edo period. "Sumiyoshi Procession" is a festival of Tsumoto Shrine (now Hakusan Shrine) which got "Goshintai" (the body of a deity in the Shinto religion) from Sumiyoshi … [Read more...] about Niigata Festival, Niigata
Naha Otsunahiki Matsuri(Naha Gianttug of War Festival), Okinawa
History of the Naha Otsunahiki Festival Originally, there was a custom in Okinawa that tells the omens of the year by tug of war. It is said that this custom already existed in Naha in the 1600s. In the 17th century, along with the development of Naha, an event was held to compete as "Nahayomachi Large Ropes". However, the game was heated and fights continued, so rules were … [Read more...] about Naha Otsunahiki Matsuri(Naha Gianttug of War Festival), Okinawa
Fukuno Yotaka Festival, Toyama
Very Intensive Festival The “Fukuno Yotaka Festival” is a festival held in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture from May 1st to 2nd every year. Nanto City Fukuno is located in the southeastern part of Toyama Prefecture, about 20 km south of Takaoka City, and has a population of about 14,000. The Fukuno Yotaka Festival is one of the oldest festivals in Toyama Prefecture, which has a … [Read more...] about Fukuno Yotaka Festival, Toyama
Asakusa Sanja Matsuri Festival, Tokyo
Asakusa Shrine, right next to the main shrine of Sensoji Temple, is a shrine that is popularly known as Sanja-sama. Hinokuma Hamanari, Hinokuma Takenari, and Hajinoatai Nakatomo are enshrined. Asakusa Shrine has a history of over 1,000 years, just like Sensoji Temple, and is full of highlights such as stone monuments, the Main Shrine Building and Goshuin. The Sanja Festival, … [Read more...] about Asakusa Sanja Matsuri Festival, Tokyo
Wasshoi Hyakuman Natsumatsuri (Summer Festival of Kita Kyushu), Fukuoka
The “Wasshoi Hyakuman Natsumatsuri” (Summer Festival of Kita Kyushu) is a summer festival that started in 1988 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Kitakyushu City System, predecessor of the “Festival Kitakyushu” held since 1973. It was a major summer event in Fukuoka Prefecture, attracting over 1.5 million visitors every year. The biggest highlight of this festival is … [Read more...] about Wasshoi Hyakuman Natsumatsuri (Summer Festival of Kita Kyushu), Fukuoka