Japanese Festivals

Japanese Festivals

Omisoka Festival

Taking place just before the Japanese New Years Festival, Omisoka is a significant and important date, occurring on December 31 annually. The holiday is symbolic and the goal is to prepare for the coming year, moving forward in the right direction. There are a variety of customs and traditions, that are often connected to the... Read More

Japanese Floating Lantern Festival – Toro Nagashi

Literally translating to “lantern” and “cruise/float”, respectively,  the Japanese Floating Lantern Festival- Toro Nagashi, represents the Japanese concepts of floating paper lanterns down a river. Traditionally, this idea of floating paper lanterns symbolized the guiding of souls, those who have left the physical word and now exist spiritually. History of Toro Nagashi The first ceremony... Read More

Hanamatsuri Festival – Buddha’s Birthday

Traditionally, Hanamatsuri Festival, Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated across East Asia in a variety of different ways. It generally falls in the spring, but depending on where it is celebrated, it can be in April, May or June. It is believed that this particular date coincides with the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, a once Indian prince... Read More

Hanami Festival

Most often referring to cherry blossoms, the Hanami Festival is celebrating the traditional Japanese custom of enjoying flowers. Starting towards the end of March and lasting until the beginning of May, cherry blossoms – sakura, as well as plum trees – ume are in blossom all around the country. This is the ideal time to... Read More

Japanese New Year (Shōgatsu)

One of the most important and influential holidays in Japan, the Japanese New Year, known as Shogatsu or Oshogatsu is celebrated across the country. Taking place on January 1, most businesses close for the celebrations, enabling everyone to partake in the celebration. In Japan, the new year symbolizes a new start and an opportunity to... Read More