Matsuri Festivals

Theater about Benkei, geta dancing and yosakoi performances animate Tanabe.

Stages and stalls fill the streets around Matsudo Station during this community autumn festival.

Armored participants reenact a battle at Shiroishi Castle in a festival linked to the Katakura clan.

Teams lift richly decorated chosa drum floats through Toyohama during its autumn festival.

Elaborately carved wooden floats parade through Kanuma and exchange lively festival music.

Danbee dancing, mikoshi and Gion floats bring an autumn celebration to central Maebashi.

Nagoya's grand festival featuring a parade of the three great warlords.

Himeji's 'fighting festival' where portable shrines clash violently.

Potters and workshops gather in Imbe for a celebration of Bizen ceramics.

Kyoto's Festival of Ages, a grand procession showcasing Japanese history.

Saga's grand autumn festival featuring 14 massive lacquered floats.

Historical-costume processions and community events celebrate autumn in Ozu.

One of Japan's three great float festivals, featuring massive illuminated floats and fireworks.

Rows of small illuminated snow huts light the riverside in the snowy hot spring village.

Drummers play both sides of drums mounted on moving floats in Kokura's Gion festival.

Festival carts fill Kuwana with the sound of drums and gongs around Kasuga Shrine.

Processions carrying ornate obi sashes celebrate Shimada's grand festival, held every three years.