Matsuri Festivals

Figures in straw costumes visit Kaminoyama's streets with wishes for fire protection and a good harvest.

Hina dolls are displayed in shops and homes throughout Makabe's historic streets.

New Year decorations are burned in a sacred fire during this winter ritual at Osaki Hachimangu.

Osaka's New Year business prosperity festival at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine.

Rival groups compete for a wooden ball in a New Year ritual for good harvests and fishing.

Elaborate floats are pulled onto the beach at low tide during Kamezaki's spring festival.

Dance parades and community celebrations bring summer festivities to central Aki.

Masked Boze deities appear at the end of the lunar Obon observances on Akuseki Island.

Festival floats and traditional music wind through the sloping streets of the port town of Esashi.

Tomioka Hachimangu's festival is known for water splashed over shrine bearers; grand celebrations follow a multi-year cycle.

A procession carrying a giant straw sandal joins dance groups in central Fukushima.

Rose-filled parks and city streets host parades and community events in Fukuyama.

Okoshi Daiko drumming and ornate floats mark spring in Hida Furukawa.

Month-long dance festival in Gujo Hachiman, where visitors join locals in traditional dances.

Three shrine processions and elaborate story-themed floats parade through Hachinohe.

Fukuoka's largest festival with over 2 million visitors, featuring parades and stages.

Autumn harvest thanksgiving festival at Kushida Shrine in Fukuoka.