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Autumn festival lanterns

September Festivals to Look Forward to in Japan!

The transition from summer to autumn is usually seen and felt during the month of September. It may still be warm in some parts of Japan making it still possible for trips to the beach with less crowds. Other areas of the country such as Hokkaido are beginning to show autumn colors, a wonderful contrast to the varying seasons. There are several festivals in Japan to usher in the season of autumn.

Check out some of the September festivities to welcome the ‘ber’ months

Owara Kaze-no-Bon FestivalOwara Kaze-no-Bon

September ushers in the annual Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival when people pray for the protection and abundance of the autumn harvest. It literally means Bon Dance of the Wind.

The festival is held every September 1–3 in Yatsuo-machi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture. According to the Japanese calendar, September 1 1is the 210th day from the very first day of spring and often brings natural calamities that can harm crops.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Reitaisai Festival

Another festival is the Reitaisai at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine in Kamakura, an event held between September 14-16. Worshippers gather in the shrine and various performers dance to traditional Japanese music. The much-anticipated Shinkosai parade of parishioners is a sight to behold as they carry portable shrines. A procession follows, stretching hundreds of meters through the streets of Kamakura City.

Pottery Town Aichi PrefectureSetomono Matsuri

Every September each year, the  Setomono Matsuri, a ceramic fair that first began in 1932 to celebrate Se, who is known to be ‘the father of Seto pottery’ is held. Seto pottery of Seto ware is a type of Japanese pottery, ceramics and stoneware produced around the city od Seto in Aichi Prefecture. Seto was one of the locations of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan. Various locations in Aichi Prefecture hold fairs. Around 200 stalls are set up along the streets close to the Setogawa River.

Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri 

Danjiri Matsuri in Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture is held September 18-19. Participants wear traditional happi coats and pull beautiful, handcrafted danjiri floats through the city’s main streets. Traditional danjiri floats are crafted with elaborately decorated wooden structures depicting ancient myths and battles.

Danjiri festivals are also held around other parts of Japan. They are cart pulling festivals at times with a race between floats representing different neighborhoods. The most popular is the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri. Other popular Danjiri festivals are in Kobe and Haruki Town.

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Read all about Japanese immersion learning and studying abroad. Check out our eZasshi archives for more articles!