Discovering Japan's Top 3 Grandest and Most Vibrant Festivals
When discussing Japan, there is an endless fascination with its culture. This nation of technology is known for strongly preserving its traditions in every rhythm of its public life.
Japan is also famous for its rich and colorful festival culture. Throughout the year, various cities across Japan host numerous matsuri(festivals) with incredible scale and spectacle, from spectacular parades and traditional dances to dazzling firework displays.
A festival, or matsuriin Japanese, is a specially celebrated traditional event held to commemorate seasons, historical events, or to pray for good fortune. These festivals involve dancing, music, processions, and often feature yatai(food and game stalls). Famous matsuri include Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori, and the Sapporo Snow Festival.
The purposes of celebrating matsuriinclude expressing gratitude, commemorating historical events, honoring deities (especially in the Shinto belief), and marking the change of seasons. Many matsuriwere initially for local residents only but are now open for public participation from all walks of life.
There are hundreds of festivals held in every corner of Japan, allowing every tourist who visits to stealthily enjoy them. Among all these celebrations, three stand out as the largest and most vibrant, eagerly awaited by many, from local to international tourists.
These three festivals are known to be the most prominent due to their immense scale, historical significance, and breathtaking atmosphere. They consistently attract millions of visitors every year, offering an unforgettable experience for anyone who witnesses them firsthand.
The matsuri processions often involve mikoshi, which are small portable shrines enthusiastically carried on the shoulders of bearers. Dance and music performances are a critical part of the celebrations. Numerous food stalls (yatai) sell classic street foods like takoyaki and yakisoba, as well as games such as goldfish scooping. Some festivals focus on spectacular firework displays. Here are three major festivals you can enjoy:
1. Kanda Matsuri
Kanda Matsuri is one of the three most famous festivals in Tokyo, alongside Sanno Matsuri and Fukagawa Matsuri. This festival is typically held on the Saturday and Sunday preceding May 15th.
2. Honmatsuri (The Main Festival)
The Honmatsuri, or main festival of the Kanda Matsuri event, is routinely held once every two years in odd-numbered years. A simpler version of the festival is held in even-numbered years. The Honmatsurifeatures a magnificent and vibrant procession of mikoshi(portable shrines) that winds through the streets of central Tokyo. This festival originated during the Edo period (1603–1867), when the Tokugawa shogunate began ruling Japan from Edo (now Tokyo). At that time, Kanda Matsuri was celebrated as a symbol of prosperity under the new government.
Historically, only Kanda Matsuri and Sanno Matsuri were allowed to pass through the grounds of Edo Castle (now the Imperial Palace). Initially, both festivals were held every year, but due to increasing competition between them, it was eventually decided to hold them alternately each year. Kanda Matsuri is hosted by the Kanda Myojin Shrine, which venerates three deities: Daikokuten (god of harvest and marriage), Ebisu (god of fishermen and merchants), and Taira no Masakado (a revered and deified 10th-century rebel landowner). Over time, Kanda Matsuri became a celebration of wealth and good fortune for the people of Tokyo.
3. Gion Matsuri (Kyoto)
The Gion Matsuri in Kyoto is one of the most famous and largest festivals in Japan. Gion Matsuri is often the main draw for tourists visiting Japan during the summer. Furthermore, the city of Kyoto undergoes a transformation as the entire city partakes in the celebratory atmosphere throughout the duration of Gion Matsuri.
Are you interested? Don't worry, there are many tourism packages that offer tours specifically aimed at witnessing and enjoying Japan's largest festivals.
