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Festivals
Takayama Spring Festival – ©JNTO
Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival – ©JNTO
Summer
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Gion Matsuri – This festival of Yasaka Shrine is observed every July and is highlighted by a parade of floats at least 20-metres tall. The
Gion Matsuri in Kyoto is one of the top three Japanese festivals.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa – Held in Hakata in Fukuoka every 1-15 July, the Hakata Gion Yamakasa is an exciting festival that includes a
festival float race in the morning of the final day of celebrations.
Kanto Matsuri – Held from 3-6 August, Kanto Matsuri takes place in Akita City. It features parades of more than 200 performers
balancing bamboo poles on different parts of their body, with each pole holding as many as 46 lanterns. It is conducted every night for
four days.
Awa Dori – Dubbed as the most popular dancing festival in the country, Awa Odori is an event held 12-15 August, right smack in the
obon season. It features a procession that includes dancers dressed in various traditional costumes performing different traditional
Japanese dances.
Tenjin Matsuri – A top three Japanese festival, the Tenjin Matsuri is observed every 25 July in the city of Osaka. Tenjin Matsuri is the
festival of the Tenmangu Shrine, honoring its deity Sugawara Michisane, the deity of scholarship. It consists of a major procession held
around the city, as well as a river parade of boats and a fireworks show.
Gion Matsuri Festival – ©JNTO
Akita Kanto Festival – ©JNTO
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