“I wonder what kind of summer festivals are held all over Japan?”
“Which summer festival would you recommend?”
Some people may think this way.
Japan’s summer festivals are exciting events where you can enjoy brightly colored floats and lanterns, beautiful yukata costumes, and a variety of gourmet food from food stalls. There are different ways to enjoy the festival, such as dancing the Bon dance together while fireworks light up the night sky.
In this article, we will introduce two popular summer festivals in Tohoku, Kanto, Kansai, and Kyushu that will be held in 2024, as well as the charm of Japan’s summer festivals and ways to enjoy them. Please take a look.
■Japan’s summer festivals are captivating with the traditions and performances of each region.
Summer festivals in Japan are deeply connected to the traditions and culture of the region. As a result, the presentation methods and content vary from region to region, which is part of the charm of the festival. The procession of mikoshi and floats decorates the streets, and the atmosphere unique to summer festivals, combined with light and sound productions, is recommended for those looking for a special experience in Japan.
The sight of local people coming together to liven up the festival gives a sense of Japan’s rich tradition and regional pride. Each festival has its own unique history and culture, and its diversity fascinates visitors.
■How to enjoy summer festivals to the fullest
Japanese summer festivals are filled with colorful food stalls selling delicious dishes such as okonomiyaki and takoyaki. There are also festivals where you can enjoy local specialties and cuisine. Warm interaction with local people is also a big attraction of summer festivals. You can experience the deep Japanese culture while enjoying traditional dances and songs.
It is expected to be very crowded, so please be careful with your valuables in crowded areas. Decide on a meeting place and means of communication in case you get lost. It’s important to have fun and put safety first.
■Summer festivals in various locations to be held in 2024
As usual, the summer festivals to be held in 2024 will feature unique characteristics in each region. The following six summer festivals will be held in 2024.
・Aomori Nebuta Festival
・Sendai Tanabata Festival
・Fukagawa Hachiman Festival
・Minato Mirai Obon Odori
・Ten-Shiba Summer Festival
・Kishu Odori “Bundara Bushi”
These festivals strongly reflect the culture and history of each region. We will introduce each of the attractive summer festivals.
【Tohoku region】 Aomori Nebuta Festival
Aomori Nebuta Festival is a summer festival representing Japan, held every August in Aomori Prefecture. Huge lanterns called “Nebuta” parade through the city, emitting an impressive amount of energy.
Following the Nebuta festival, the dancers known as “Haneto” perform dynamic dances to the rhythm of the ohayashi music, creating a sense of unity with the audience. This festival, which colors Aomori’s short summer, is a major event packed with local tradition and passion.
【Tohoku region】Sendai Tanabata Festival
The Sendai Tanabata Festival is a gorgeous summer festival held every August in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. This festival is held for three days, and colorful Tanabata decorations decorate the city, creating a dazzling scene.
Many of Sendai’s Tanabata decorations are gorgeous and large, captivating people who see them. During the festival, be sure to try “Nebuta-zuke,” a product that has been loved for a long time in Aomori Prefecture and is named after the festival. You can also enjoy fresh mountain and seafood delicacies such as herring roe, kelp, dried plum, and daikon radish. At night, the city is beautifully illuminated with fantastic illuminations, and the entire area is enveloped in the atmosphere of Tanabata.
【Kanto region】 Fukagawa Hachiman Festival
Fukagawa Hachiman Festival is a traditional festival held in Koto Ward, Tokyo. The biggest highlight of the festival is the “Mizukake Festival,” where participants parade through the town while carrying mikoshi, and spectators along the way sprinkle purifying water on them.
During the festival, there are many food stalls where you can eat “Fukagawa Meshi”, a popular B-class gourmet dish of raw clams and roughly chopped green onions simmered in miso and poured over rice with soup. It’s amazing to see Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, the local people, and the tourists coming together to enjoy it.
【Kanto region edition】Minato Mirai Obon Odori
Minato Mirai Obon Odori is a large-scale Bon Odori event with Yokohama’s Landmark Tower in the background. You can enjoy the harmony of urban atmosphere and traditional Bon dance.
Dancing in the pleasant sea breeze at a location overlooking Yokohama Port, Bon Odori is a special experience you won’t find anywhere else. One of the attractions is that anyone can easily participate by dancing in a circle with local dancers.
【Kansai region】Ten-Shiba Summer Festival
Ten-Shiba Summer Festival is a summer event held in the Tennoji Park area of Osaka City. An urban oasis, Ten-Shiba is packed with activities that you can enjoy with your family and friends.
During the festival, colorful food stalls line the streets, and you can enjoy classic gourmet foods such as takoyaki and yakisoba. One of the things you can look forward to is watching live shows and performances by local artists on the stage.
【Kansai region edition】 Kishu dance “Bundara Bushi”
Kishu Odori “Bundara Bushi” is a traditional summer festival held in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, and is an event that strongly reflects the history and culture of the region. Unique dances such as the “Rin Odori (dancing in a circle around the turret)” and “Bundara Bushi” are performed around the town in Nishinomaru Square, and participants and spectators can enjoy them as one.
Light dances set to music and colorful costumes enliven the festival atmosphere, allowing you to feel the vibrancy of the area.
【Kyushu region】 Hakata Summer Festival
It is a summer tradition that combines Hakata’s tradition and modern charm. The traditional Yamakasa parade is full of excitement as decorative floats are paraded through the city. Another highlight is “Uchimizu”, which is performed to relieve the heat. At night, lanterns and fireworks decorate the festival, creating a magical atmosphere.
Many food stalls are set up during the festival. There are many ways to enjoy the area, including enjoying local gourmet foods such as Hakata ramen and mentaiko, and watching Japanese drum performances.
【Kyushu region】 69th All-Island Eisa Festival commemorating the 50th anniversary of Okinawa City’s municipal organization
This is a spectacular event that combines Okinawan traditional culture and modern entertainment. The highlight of the Eisa dance is its powerful dancing to the rhythms and songs of Okinawa’s unique Bon Odori drums, and to the sounds of the sanshin.
On the first day there will be “Michi Junee”, on the middle day there will be “Okinawa City Youth Festival”, and on the last day various Eisa performances will be held.
In addition to enjoying Okinawan cuisine and specialty products at local food stalls, there will also be live music and a fireworks display.
■Let’s go to a summer festival and enjoy Japan to the fullest
Summer festivals in Japan are undergoing a change due to the influence of the new coronavirus. Until now, it was common to go to the local area and enjoy the summer festival. However, the nature of summer festivals, such as online broadcasts using digital technology and VR experiences, is gradually changing with the times.
Additionally, we are increasing the number of eco-friendly summer festivals that are creating a positive impact on local communities and economies by reducing reusable materials and waste, enabling safe and sustainable event operations. Experience Japanese culture by visiting the many attractive Japanese summer festivals held all over the country.
【Q＆A】
Q: How do you enjoy summer festivals in Japan?
A: At the summer festival, you can enjoy fireworks, food stalls, traditional dances, and games.
Q: What is the historical background of the beginning of summer festivals?
A: Summer festivals began in ancient times as Shinto rituals to pray for a good harvest and to memorialize ancestors.
