Festivals of Japan. Where tradition meets the modern world!

Friday, 26th June 2009

A festival just wouldnt be complete in Japan without traditional drummers

Japan hosts many festivals during the course of the year, ranging from the smallest holiday celebration to some of the largest. Five particular festivals, however, attract over 4 million viewers together with the entertainment and activities held during the festivals. These five are the Sapporo Snow Festival, Soma-Nomaoi Festival, Akita Kamakura Festival, Asakusa Samba Carnival, and the Gion Festival. Each are unique and fascinating, enthralling many of those who take part in these annual festivities.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held within Sapporo City in Hokkaido in mid February. Numerous statues made of ice and snow line the streets of the city, symbolizing a variety of scenes. With all of the ice sculptures combined, it usually makes up what appears to be a make-believe world. The sculptures line the streets for 7 full days, in which anyone passing can view the magnificence of the artistic sculptures.

Recreating a battle scene that occurred over 1,000 years ago is a difficult feat. During the Soma-Nomaoi Festival, Haramachi City takes pride in being the ones to do just that. The residents of this fascinating city recreate a battle in which samurai perform several reenactments of an event. This festival takes place from July 22nd until July 25th.

The Akita Kamakura Festival is held every year in Yokote City on February 15th and 16th. It is one of the most famous festivals in Japan in which teenagers put on scary masks of various deities to scare young children. It is a festival which is said to bring good fortune to the participants. It has changed over the course of the years, however, it is one of the most exciting festivities for younger people.

The Asakusa Samba Carnival is another festival that shouldn't be missed. It is held within Tokyo at the end of August, typically on a Saturday. Entertainers gather in the streets of Tokyo to entertain onlookers with dance competitions and other types of entertainment. This carnival is fairly new, and was only begun in 1981, whereas most of Japan's traditional festivities began hundreds, or even thousands of years ago.

Typical of all Festivals in Japan there is color , excitement and charm

In Kyoto City during the month of July, the Gion Festival is celebrated by locals and tourists. Thousands of people flock in from around the world just to view this spectacular sight. The festival itself usually lasts about a month, and activities such as beautifully decorated floats, parades, and other such attractions can be seen in the streets. Music, dancing, and other entertainment is held during the festival. Almost one million people from around the world come to see this festival.

These festivals are five of the many that are held within Japan every year. Some of the most exciting festivities in the world are held in this country, and the excitement of each should not be missed!

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