Festivals in Japan

The Japanese word for festival is matsuri, written 祭.

I remember this day and it was a really really hot day in Kanagawa, and it was astounding how everyone was doing their performance beautifully.

In many festivals is tradition to feature decorated floats better know as "Dashi", which are pulled through the route of the festival. Most of the time accompanied by drum and acoustic music by the people sitting on the floats. There are two types of festivals, with floats called dashi or portable shrines called mikoshi.

Every festival has its own distinguished decorations, music and rituals. An important element of Japanese festivals are processions.

In Japan there are many local festivals during the year because every town or shrines celebrates one of its own and some festivals are held over several days. Japanese festivals can be enjoyed all throughout the year.

Japanese festivals have several meanings and they usually are performed because of a historical events, fertility rites or prayers to the gods for good health.

If your are planning to visit Japan I recomend to look for some festivals during your stay, it’s an amazing experience and what a better way to know more the traditions of the Japanese culture.

The Tourist Abroad