Page 50 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

48  INTRODUCING JAP AN

JAPAN THROUGH THE YEAR

The year in Japan moves through five lunar system. Because Japan also has two
seasons: spring, rainy season, summer, fall, main religions, Shinto and Buddhism, there
and winter. Though less reliable than in the are double the number of festivals found
past, perhaps due to global warm ing, the in most countries. In fact, the days, weeks,
seasons are still clearly discernible and dictate and months are marked by so many festive
many of the traditional, agricultural-based occa sions and national holidays that the
matsuri, or festivals. The coun try follows year speeds past in a colorful procession of
two calendars: the con temporary Gregorian, official observa tions, historic commemorations,
and to a lesser degree the ancient Chinese sacred rites, and wild celebration.

May
Hakata Dontaku Matsuri
(May 3–4), Fukuoka. Cos tumed
citizens escort legend ary gods
on horseback.
Hamamatsu Matsuri (Kite-
Flying Festival, May 3–5),
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka prefec-
ture. Amazing kites are flown.
Kanda Matsuri (Sat & Sun
closest to May 15, alternate,
odd-numbered years), Tokyo.
Portable shrines are paraded
in the neighborhood around
Kanda Myojin Shrine; there is
also a gala tea ceremony (see
pp46–7).
Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival,
Cherry blossom along the Philosopher’s Walk, Kyoto May 15), Kyoto. Magnificent
pageantry at the Shimogamo
April and Kamigamo shrines,
Spring Hana Matsuri (Buddha’s reproducing past imperial
Although spring does not Birthday, Apr 8). Celebrated at processions (see p46).
officially begin until the cherry temples nationwide. Sweet tea Cormorant Fishing (May 11–
trees bloom in early to mid- is poured over a small image of Oct 15), Nagara River, Gifu city.
April, this is the time the the Buddha to signify devotion. Start of the season of night-
elements begin to warm and Takayama Sanno Matsuri (Apr time torchlit fishing with
thaw. Cherry-blossom parties 14–15), Gifu pre fecture. A festival trained birds.
take place throughout the at Takayama’s Hie Shrine, famed Tosho-gu Grand Festival
country. In Golden Week for its procession of richly (May 17–18), Nikko, Tochigi
(April 29–May 5) and adja cent decorated floats (see p46). prefecture. As the highlight,
weekends many Japan ese Yayoi Matsuri (Apr 16–17), 1,000 men in samurai
take the time off to travel. Nikko, Tochigi prefecture. A armor escort three mikoshi
festival at Futara-san Shrine (portable shrines) through
March including colorful floats. the local streets.
Omizu-tori (Water-Drawing
Festival, Mar 1–14), Nara. At Todai-ji
Temple, water is ritually drawn to
the sound of ancient sacred music
at 2am on the 13th day (see p46).
Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival,
Mar 3). Throughout Japan,
dolls in Heian-period imperial
costumes are displayed in
homes with young daughters.
Kasuga Shrine Festival
(Monkey Festival, Mar 13), Nara.
Shrine maidens perform a
1,100-year-old dance. Seasonal vegetables on sale in Naha, Okinawa

048-049_EW_Japan.indd 48 08/08/16 3:05 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
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Date 30th September 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm