Calendar

National Holidays

Jan. 1 New Year's Day (Ganjitsu)
People go to shrines or temples to pay their respects and pray for safety and
good luck. In early January, people visit their relatives and friends to
exchange New Year's greetings. Most stores and offices are closed through

Jan. 2 Holiday observed

Jan. 15 Coming Of Age Day (Seijin no Hi)
Honors young people who have reached the age of 20, voting age, during the previous year. Most cities and towns sponsor ceremonies on this day.

Jan. 16 Holiday observed

Feb. 11 National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinen no Hi)
Celebrates accession to the throne of the first emperor, Jimmu.

Mar. 20 Vernal Equinox (Shunbun no Hi)
Celebrates the coming of spring; visits to ancestral graves (ohaka mairi).

Apr. 29 Greenery Day (Midori no Hi)
Celebrates nature; tree planing ceremonies abound.

May 3 Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpo Kinenbi)
Commemorates Japan's new peace constitution

May 4 People's Day (Kokumin no Sukujitsu)

May 5 Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi)
Formerly called Boy's Day, this holiday celebrates the growth of children.

Sept. 15 Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi)
Celebrations are held for the elderly.

Oct. 10 Health Sports Day (Taiiku no Hi)
Encourages people to enjoy sports and to lead a healthy life. Established in
commemoration of the Tokyo Olympics.

Nov. 3 Culture Day (Bunka no Hi)
Celebrates the development of cultural pursuits, and encourages people to
enjoy peace, freedom and culture.

Nov. 23 Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha no Hi)
Frequently combined with harvest celebrations in the country-side.

Dec. 23 Emperor's Birthday (Tenno Tanjobi)
Emperor Akihito's birthday. Imperial Palace grounds open to the public.

Festivals and Events Calendar

Jan. 1 Marine Tower Hatsunobori, Marine Tower First Climb, Yokohama Port,
Yokohama

Jan. 2-3 Daruma-ichi, Daruma Doll Fair, Haijima Daishi Shrine, Tokyo

Jan. 2 Kokyo Ippan Sanga, Imperial New Year's Greeting, Tokyo

On this day as well as the Emperor's Birthday (Dec. 23) parts of the Palace
Grounds that are usually closed to the public are opened up.

Jan. 6 Dezomeshiki, New Year's Parade of Firemen at Harumi, Tokyo

Jan. 15-16 Setagaya Boro-ichi, Rag Fair, Kamimachi Station, Tokyo

Jan. 24-25 Uso-Kae, Old Lies for New, Kameido Tenji Shrine, Tokyo

Feb. 3 Setsubun, Bean-Throwing Ceremony, nationwide

Feb. 6-11 Snow Festival in Sapporo, Hokkaido
In many places around the city intricate snow and ice sculptures are built
by teams and organizations from around the world. The largest are
several stories tall. If you are planning to go to Sapporo during the
festival be sure to make reservations for accommodations well in
advance.

Mar. 3 Hina Matsuri, Doll Festival for Girls

Mar. 18 Jingen-e, Manifestation of ÅAsakusa Kannon, Sensoji, Tokyo

April 1-30 Miyako Odori, Cherry Dance in Gion, Kyoto

April 3-5 Ueki-ichi, Potted Plant Fair, Katori Shrine, Tokyo

April 14-15 Takayama Festival, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture

Mid-April Daido-Gei Festival, Street Performers Festival, Hinodecho Station,
Yokohama

Apr. 25-May 5 Fuji Matsuri, Wisteria Festival, Kameido Tenji Shrine, Tokyo

May 3-4 Dontaku, Hakata, Fukuoka

May 14-15 Kanda Matsuri, Kanda Festival Kanda Myojin Shrine, Tokyo

May 15 Aoi Matsuri, Hollyhock Festival, Kyoto

May 19-21 Sanja Matsuri, Sanja Festival, Asakusa Shrine, Tokyo

June 2 Kaiko Kinenbi, Anniversary of Yokohama Port Opening, Yokohama Park,
Yokohama

June1-3 Yokohama Dontaku Festival, Yamashita Park, Yokohama

June 10-16 Sanno Matsuri, Sanno Festival, Hie Shrine, Tokyo

June 11 Torigoe Jinja Rei-taisai, Torigoe Shrine Grand Festival, Torigoe Shrine,
Tokyo

July 1 Opening of climbing season, Fujinomiya City, Mt. Fuji

July 9-10 Hozuki-ichi, Ground Cherry Fair, Sensoji Temple, Tokyo

July 1-15 Hokata Yamagasa, Floats in Fukuoka

July 20 Sumomo Matsuri, Plum Festival, Okunitama Shrine, Tokyo

July 20 International Fireworks Display, Yokohama Port, Yokohama

July 24-25 Tenjin Festival, Tenmangu Shrine, Osaka

July 29 Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai, Sumida River Fireworks, Asakusa, Tokyo

Early Aug. Ningyocho Setomono-ichi, Chinaware Fair, Ningyocho, Tokyo

Early Aug. Yokohama Summer Night Festival, Yokohama Port

Aug. 1 Kanagawa Newspaper Fire Festival, Yamashita Park, Yokohama

Aug. 1-7 Nebuta Matsuri, Aomori

Aug. 4 Hashi Kuyosai, Memorial Mass for Old Chopsticks, Hie Shrine, Tokyo

Aug. 5-7 Kanto Balancing Festival, Akita

Aug. 6-8 Tanabata, Star Festival, Sendai

Mid-Aug Obon, nationwide

Aug. 16 Great Bonfire at Mt. Nyoigadake, Kyoto

Aug. 26 Samba Festival, Asakusa, Tokyo

Late Aug. Honmoku Jazz Festival, Honmoku, Yokohama

Sept. 13-15 O-Sanno-miya, Autumn Festival, Hie Shrine, Yokohama

Sept. 23 Yokohama Carnival, Yokohama Station, Yokohama

Oct. 1-10 Festival in Chinatown, Yokohama

Early Oct. Dai Ginza Matsuri, Grand Ginza Festival Ginza, Tokyo

Oct. 7-9 Okunchi Festival, Suwa Shrine, Nagasaki

Oct. 9-10 Takayama Festival, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture

Oct. 13 Oeshiki Ceremony, Nichiren Memorial Service, Okegami Honmoni
Shrine, Tokyo

Mid Oct. Soba Matsuri, Buckwheat Noodle Festival, Jindaji Temple, Tokyo

Oct. 17 Autumn Festival, Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

Oct. 22 Jidai Matsuri, Festival of Eras Kyoto
A parade march through the city of Kyoto. The participants are dressed
in period costumes representing historical and legendary figures
throughout the history of Japan.

November Tori-no-ichi, Rooster Fair, Otori Shrine, Tokyo

Nov. 15 Shichi-go-san, Children's Shrine Visit Day
Girls age 5 and boys age 3 and 7 go to the shrine to get blessings and
protection from the god.

Dec. 2-3 Yo-Matsuri, Lanterns and Floats, Chichibu

Dec. 14 Gishi-sai, Loyal Retainers Festival, Sengakuji Temple, Tokyo

Dec. 16-17 On-Matsuri, Kasuga Shrine, Nara

Mid Dec. Toshi-no-ichi, Year-end Market, Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo

Local ward newsletters and TIC (03-3502-1461) are good source4s of information about these and other festivals as well as local times and places for widely held events such as dancing at Obon (Bon-odori). Most local festivals are popular with children of every nationality.


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