Page 53 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

JAP AN THROUGH THE Y EAR  51

Parents take children of these January Yamayaki (Grass Fire Festival,
ages to shrines in appreciation New Year’s Day (Jan 1). Japan’s Jan 23 or Jan 30), Nara. Old grass
of their health and to pray for most important religious festival. is burned on Mount Wakakusa-
further blessings. There are Most people eat soba noodles yama to initiate new growth.
wonderful photo opportunities the night before to bring
of kimono-clad kids. long life. Witnessing the first February
sunrise is considered very lucky. Setsubun (Bean-throwing Festival,
The first few days are family- Feb 3). Nationwide. Celebrities at
Winter oriented, with visits to temples major temples throw dried soy
The cold season begins and shrines to buy lucky beans into crowds of onlookers,
in Hokkaido, Northern talismans for the year ahead. symbolizing the casting
Honshu, and to the west out of bad spirits.
of the Japan Alps in late fall, Lantern Festival (Feb 3 or
with the first snows. By 4), Nara. Some 3,000 candlelit
contrast, the east coast – lanterns attract huge crowds
including Tokyo – rarely to the Kasuga Shrine.
experiences more than a few Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival, for 7
days of snow a year. Southern days or longer, usually starts around
Kyushu remains quite dry and the second week of Feb), Sapporo,
warm through the winter; Hokkaido. Vast sculptures carved
Okinawa even more so. The from snow and ice fill Odori
period around New Year is one Park, Ekimae-dori Avenue in
of the year’s peak travel times. Susukino, and the Tsudome.
Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Matsuri
December (Naked Festival, 3rd Sat in Feb),
Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri Saidai-ji, Okayama prefecture.
(Dec 15–18), Nara. Celebrated Celebrated at Saida-ji Temple.
at Kasuga Wakamiya Shrine. A Young male devotees wearing
procession of courtiers, retainers, Large crowd celebrating the New Year at fundoshi (loin cloths) jostle for
and wrestlers of ancient times. the Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo a pair of sacred wands thrown
Hagoita-Ichi (Battledore Fair, into the darkness by priests.
Dec 17–19), Tokyo. Ornately Dezomeshiki (New Year’s Parade,
decorated battledores are Jan 6), Tokyo. Daz zling display
sold in the precincts of by Tokyo fire men in traditional Public Holidays
Senso-ji Temple. uniforms, performing acrobatic If a public holiday falls on a
Namahage (Dec 31), Oga, tricks on top of bamboo ladders, Sunday, the follow ing Monday
Akita prefecture. Grotesquely held at Big Sight in Odaiba. is also a public holiday.
masked men visit house holds Usokae (Bullfinch Exchange, New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
with children, scaring them Jan 7), Dazaifu, Fukuoka Coming-of-Age Day
into being good. prefecture. Festival of (2nd Mon in Jan)
Okera Mairi Ceremony Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine. National Foundation
(Dec 31), Kyoto. A sacred fire Toka Ebisu Festival (Jan 9–11), Day (Feb 11)
is lit at Yasaka Shrine; people Osaka. Celebrated at Imamiya
each take some embers home Shrine. Ebisu is worshiped by those Vernal Equinox Day
(around Mar 20)
to start their own fires of the who pray for good commercial
new year. fortune in the year ahead. Showa Day (Apr 29)
Constitution Memorial Day
(May 3)
Greenery Day (May 4)
Children’s Day (May 5)
Marine Day (3rd Mon in Jul)
Mountain Day (Aug 11)
Respect-for-the-Aged
Day (3rd Mon in Sep)
Fall Equinox Day (around
Sep 23)
Health-Sports Day
(2nd Mon in Oct)
Culture Day (Nov 3)
Labor Thanksgiving
Day (Nov 23)
Emperor’s Birthday (Dec 23)
One of the snow carvings at Yuki Matsuri, Sapporo

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