Posted by 
To live in Japan, you need to know the culture. Here, the fastest way is to join a celebration. You can pretty much find countless and endless local festivals. In Japanese, festivals referred to as matsuri (祭り). Each and every shrine, temple, have there own celebrations, ceremonies, which can be escalated to become a small festival, both religious, and historic relative. Some festivals are count by days.
The festival – what you need to know to live in Japan!
If the matsuri linked with Shinto deity, the Shrine’s kami in palanquins (or mikoshi) will be carried around the site or even the whole town.
Many festival are colorful decorated with lanterns, floats, flags, etc. Each float on site is a small specialized shop (called yatai, or dashi, danjiri, depends on local). They will accompany you with food, local delicacies, alcohol (yes, alcohol near religious sites are accepted in multiple places across Japan). Some festivals-ceremony are meditative, but most of them are energetic.
If you are coming to Sapporo, better to set your calendar in Winter.
If you are coming to Central Japan, Osaka, Kyoto, fall would be one of the best time to see red leaves.
Else in spring, Japan will be cover in pink for few short weeks. Prepare yourself for the sakura season where hanami party begin.
With the list below, we hope that you can find your time and destination.
Sapporo Snow Festival.
Sapporo Yuki Matsuri – a traditional Japanese festival that you cannot miss. Here is where you will find ultimate ice sculptures (by artisans), huge in size, and beautiful in view. The festival held once a year, in early February, last for a week. And the place is located in Odori Park, Sapporo city.
Omizutori
This is a religious service rather than being a festival, but people are really enjoying it at Todaiji Temple. The temple is famous for deers around it, so be sure to check them out.
Takayama Matsuri
Giant float pulled around the old Takayama town with colourful decoration. The festival held twice, in spring and in autumn.
Aoi Matsuri
Attracting thousands of visitors each year with its huge parade of more than 500 people. The local dress in aristocratic clothes that represent the Heian Period (794-1185), while moving from the Kyoto Imperial Palace toward the Kamo Shrine. Located in Kyoto and only on May 15.
Kanda Matsuri
Located in central of Tokyo and last for an entire week, even though people are still working. A daylong parade in both Saturday and Sunday of the closet weekend to May 15.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa
From July 1st to July 15th, prepare your luggage to move to Fukuoka, for the early morning floats race.
Hey, why traveling alone when you can travel with local?
Homii Team
To live in Japan, you need friends to accompany you
Our hosts at Homii Homestay are energetic and like to interact. Homii provides you the best unforgettable memory during your stay. Lots of our guests found their family, some of them become friends for life. How about you? Shall we try?