16. Wakakusa Yamayaki
Japanese culture loves fire. There's a single word in Japanese for burning a mountain — yamayaki.The annual Wakakusa Yamayaki involves setting Nara's Mount Wakakusayama on fire (fourth Saturday in January). The festival is delayed by a week if it's raining. It's difficult to burn a mountain in the rain. After the yamayaki there's a fireworks display.
17. Jidai Matsuri
The Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) in Kyoto is a large historical reenactment parade held annually on October 22nd. Celebrants dress in authentic feudal-era costumes — emperors, shoguns, samurai, military figures and common people.
18. Morioka Sansa Odori
The largest largest taiko drum festival in Japan. Over 10,000 drummers and dancers parade through Morioka (August 1st ~ 4th).
19. Daimonji (Daimonji Gozan Okuribi)
A large fire festival in Kyoto. Giant kanji characters are burned into the mountains surrounding the city in a spectacular display (August 16th).
20. Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
A small snow festival that takes place at the same time as the much larger Sapporo Yuki Matsuri and Asahikawa Winter Festival in the same region (Hokkaido).Otaru is a pleasant seaside town. The festival features small snow statues and lanterns placed throughout the city (and in the town's famous canal).
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