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100 Best Festivals in Japan (Matsuri)

posted by John Spacey, Japan Talk, November 22, 2012

It's not known exactly how many Japanese festivals are held each year. A good estimate is 100,000 festivals.

There are more than 10,000 temples and shrines in Japan. Most of them hold at least one festival every year. Some shrines hold up to 70 festivals a year. There are also national and local festivals.

Japanese festivals are highly recommended for visitors to Japan. They provide an opportunity to interact with the locals. Festivals are Japan at it's best — the lighthearted side of Japanese culture.

It's not easy to choose which festivals to attend. There are religious festivals, fire festivals, dancing festivals, snow festivals, music festivals, performance festivals, naked festivals ... the list goes on and on. Festivals range from quiet and introspective to drunk, wild and dangerous.

These 100 festivals should be at the top of your list if your traveling to Japan.

1. Tokushima Awa Odori

The Tokushima Awa Odori is a huge city-wide dance party in Tokushima City, Shikoku Island that attracts 1.3 million tourists each year. Participants wear colorful costumes, dance and play shamisens, gongs, taiko drums and flutes.

The festival is part of the region's Obon Festivities. It features synchronized traditional dances for men and women. There are different dances for day and night. The daytime dance (Nagashi) is restrained and elegant. The nighttime dance (Zomeki) is frenzied and energetic. Spectators are encouraged to join.

Tokushima City's airport is named after the festival — Tokushima Awa Odori Airport.

2. Asakusa Samba Matsuri

Asakusa is one of Tokyo's oldest and most conservative neighbourhoods. It's also home to Tokyo's most vibrant and international festival — the Asakusa Samba Matsuri.

The winning team of the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is invited to perform at the festival. Local samba teams also perform (Japan and Brazil have strong ties).

3. Gion Matsuri in Kyoto

The Gion Matsuri is Kyoto's largest festival. It's a month long party (entire month of July).

4. Sapporo Yosakoi Soran Festival

The Sapporo Yosakoi Soran Matsuri is Japan's largest Yosakoi dance festival. It features 350 teams with around 50,000 dancers and attracts 2 million spectators.

5. Kanto Matsuri

The Kanto Matsuri is a pole lantern (kanto) festival in Akita City (August 3rd to 6th). Participants balance massive 12 meter (40 foot) tall lantern poles on their palms, foreheads, etc. These poles weight around 60 kilograms (130 pounds). The lanterns are lit by candles. It's something to see.

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100 Best Festivals in Japan (Matsuri)

100 Best Festivals in Japan (part 2) Editor's Pick

Nebuta Matsuri, Sapporo Snow Festival, Kanamara Matsuri, Tenjin Masturi, Aoi Festival