Japanese Springtime Festivals – Celebrating the Traditions of Japan

Springtime is a very busy, special time in Japan. The beauty of the season is celebrated through a variety of festivals, dances and parades. April is the beginning of school for children, the time to view cherry blossoms and provides a time to shake off the winter doldrums.

The following is a partial listing of some of the beautiful, unique holiday celebrations of Japan:

March 15 – The anniversary of the Buddha’s death (Nehan-e).

April in Kyoto
April is the time to see the Miyako Odori ("Cherry Dance") in Gion dance. Miyako Odori takes place at Gion Kaburenjo Hall April 1 through April 30. This provides a rare opportunity to witness the maiko (geisha apprentices) dance.

A wonderful opportunity to witness Geisha dance is the "Kyo Odori" (Odori means "dance") which takes place April 7 - 21 at Miyagawacho Kaburenjo Hall.

April 15 - 25 is the "Kitano Odori" at the Kamishichigen Kaburenjo Hall.

Cherry Blossom Viewing
Activities abound at castles and shrines throughout Japan while sakura are in full bloom. Any town or city will have activities centered around Cherry Blossom viewing for visitors to enjoy. Wakayama Jo ("Wakayama Castle") like other castles in Japan, celebrates with a festival atmosphere. Food, drink and games are arranged on the castle grounds along with ground coverings to sit and enjoy the beauty of the blooms.

April 8 – “Kambutsueor” celebrating the birth of the Buddha.

April 29 – “Green Day” also known as Midori no Hi. Green Day originated as the national holiday for Emperor Showa who died in 1989. After his death the holiday became known as a celebration of nature and the environment.

May 5 is the celebration of "Children’s Day", (Kodomo no Hi). This day is special to children in Japan as it a time to pray for good health and prosperity. Kodomo no Hi is now celebrated as a combination of what use to be separate days for “Girls Day” (Hina Matsuri, March 3rd) and “Boys Day” (Tango-no-Sekku, May 5). While the Girls Day celebration is marked by displaying dolls which have been handed down through the generations from Mother to Daughter, Boys Day is traditionally celebrated with the flying of carp windsocks or streamers outside of the family home. Warrior Dolls are also displayed on boys day within the home. Special foods are served including rice cakes wrapped in bamboo and rice cakes filled with sweet bean. Kamigamo shrine celebrates Children’s Day with horse races in the tradition of the samurai.

May 15 – Aoi Matsuri, or “Hollyhock Festival” this is one of the three great festivals of Kyoto. This festival is celebrated at the Kamigamo Shrine (see article on Shinto); and is kicked off with a procession which beings at the Imperial Palace and ends at Kamigamo Shrine. The procession is memorable for the beautiful Heian period clothes worn by participants.

Content copyright © 2006-2010 by Melanie Shintaku. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Melanie Shintaku. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission.

 

For more information on Japan's history:

View photos of the burial place of the 47 Ronin in Tokyo - photos section - or stop by our links page for more information on Japan and her arts.

Tokugawa Lineage
Kublai Khan and Japan
Samurai Archives