Events & Festivals

Events & Festivals

Japanese festivals and observances have long been passed down through seasonal turning points, belief, and the bonds of local communities.
In this category, we explore regional festivals, annual traditions, and life-cycle rituals—organizing their origins, local character, and how they appear today.

Setsubun — “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi”

Setsubun — “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi”Japan has many annual observances that mark the turning points of the seasons.Some...

Events & Festivals

Japan’s Year-End – New Year’s Eve and the Ways It Is Spent

Japan’s Year-End – New Year’s Eve and the Ways It Is SpentIn many Western countries, the centerpiece of the holiday seas...

Events & Festivals

Joya no Kane – The Bell that Marks an Ending and a Beginning

Joya no Kane – The Bell that Marks an Ending and a BeginningOn New Year’s Eve in Japan, if you listen closely as the nig...

CultureEvents & Festivals

Dancing Spirits: 400 Years of Memory in Awa Odori

Dancing Spirits: 400 Years of Memory in Awa OdoriEvery August, the heart of Tokushima City comes alive with a unique, el...

Events & Festivals

Bon Odori — A Timeless Celebration That Colors the Japanese Summer

Bon Odori is a traditional Japanese dance rooted in ancestor worship. This article explores its origin and highlights regional dances such as Awa Odori, Gujo Odori, Nishimonai Bon Odori, Tokyo Ondo, and Soma Bon Uta.

Events & Festivals

When the Oni Comes Knocking— Japan’s Mysterious Demon Festival , Namahage

Experience the haunting beauty of Namahage, a centuries-old ritual in Oga, Japan. Each New Year’s Eve, straw-clad demons roam snowy villages, driving out laziness and welcoming blessings for the year ahead.

CultureEvents & Festivals

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