Festival season in Japan

Festival season in Japan
Posted in Asian Festivals on 02. Apr, 2009
In Japan the festival “season” begins early in the year (February) and ends late in the year (December). Is there one every month you might ask. The answer is no, but almost. All citizens look forward to the gaily decorated floats that carry the drummers and flautists through the town. A great many of the smaller, local festivals celebrate and pay honor to the local deity. The parade and festival atmosphere ranges from subdued to rambunctious. Here is a sampling of some of the celebrations and when they take place:
•    Sapporo Snow Festival – Place: Sapporo, Hokkaido. Time: Early February
•    Takayama Matsuri – Place: Takayama, Gifu. Time: April 14-15; October 9-10
•    Nebuta Matsuri – Place: Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture. Time: August 2-7
•    Awa Odori – Place: Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Time: August 12-15
•    Chichibu Yomatsuri – Place: Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture. Time: December 2-3
Each festival is known for popular activities. For example, there is a snow and ice sculpting contest at the Sapporo Snow Festival. The Chichibu Yomatsuri is known as the “night festival.” Other parades feature floats with huge Chinese style dragons and pirate ships. Each festival is fun and exciting in its own way.