Matsuri Japanese Festivals are one of the most exciting aspects of life in Japan: there is always one here or there, they look so different, and the local community will be happy to let you join if you live or work in the area (I had the honour of carrying an omikoshi portable shrine during the Kanda Matsuri a few years ago).
Famous for their impressive history, lively traditions, and large-scale celebrations, the three great festivals of Japan are:
- Gion Festival — Held annually in Kyoto, initially to appease the gods during an epidemic in 869.
- Kanda Festival — Held in odd-numbered years in Tokyo (Sanno festival is celebrated instead on even-numbered years), since the 17th century to celebrate Tokugawa Ieyasu’s victory at the battle of Sekigahara.
- Tenjin Festival — Held annually in Osaka, first in 987. A boat of the Tenjin Festival was used for the first time to perform Noh for the general public during the 2024 Osaka Noh Festa and the same is scheduled during the 2025 Osaka Noh Festa to accompany the 2025 world expo in Osaka, Kansai.