Japanese Festivals and National Holidays

SpringSpring is the beginning of a year. It’s so

warm and comfortable season that many people like it. People wish for a

happiness and healthy growth through a year in Spring.

It’s the festival for girls on 3rd in MarchFamily with girls displays hina dolls

People wish for a happiness and healthy growth.It’s believed that being late for put them back means being late for getting married.

Doll festivals called Hina-Matsuri

It’s national holiday for boys on May 5th.The day is aimed at celebrating the healthy growth of children and to thank their mothersFamily with boys displays a helmet called kabutoThey put up carp streamers called koinobori

Children’s day

very big hina dolls!!!! sushi formed hina dolls

kabuto made of newspaper carp streamers made by children

Summer

There are many festivals in summer in Japan. People enjoy spending time there

with their friends or families. They buy something to drink and eat at small shops like this picture. When some people go to

the festivals, they wear yukata like Japanese kimono.

Celebarate a Chinese legend Held on the night of the 7th of JulyPray to the gods for somethingSome ornaments are attached to branches of bamboo

The Star festival called Tanabata

many many colorful and big fireworksseeing beautiful fireworks makes un really happyWhy people call ‘Tamaya--!!!’ when they watch fireworks?

Fireworks Festival

This is the Buddhist all souls’ day.Dancing for a service for dead peopleMusic is slow tempo, and the arrangement of a dance is simple.Bon dance has been changing for many years.

Bon Dance Festival

Autumn

This is calm season in a year, it’s not too hot and neither too cold. So people enjoy playing sports, reading books, and foods or something.And people can enjoy viewing colored leaves in Autumn. Leaves turn red or yellow or purple…

There are so many colors in them.

A festival for thanking to the god for harvestPeople carry a portable shrineWearing coats called happi is common.

Harvest Festival

WinterThis is the coldest season in a year. We

have a lot of snow in winter in the west of Japan. My place doesn’t have as mush

snow as other place. Snow causes many troubles. For example, car accidents, a delay of trains and buses. On the other

hand, falling snow is very beautiful.

The history of this festivalPeople visit Sapporo to see it from not only Japan also all over the world.Display some statues made of snow

Snow Festival in Sapporo