Tanabata Festival

The festival of Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine and one of Japan's three great festivals. Spanning the entire month of July, its highlight is the magnificent Yamaboko float procession. Originating in 869 as a ritual to ward off plague, it boasts over 1,100 years of history. The yamaboko floats are a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, often called 'moving museums.'

A traditional Japanese Buddhist event to welcome and honor ancestral spirits. Observed around August 13-16, it features regional events such as bon dances and toro nagashi lantern floating. One of Japan's largest annual observances that triggers a major homecoming rush, it serves as an important occasion for reaffirming family bonds.

A traditional Japanese event held on the day before the start of spring, where soybeans are thrown to drive away evil spirits with the chant 'Demons out, good fortune in.' The custom of eating ehomaki sushi rolls has also spread nationwide. As a seasonal purification ritual, grand bean-throwing events are held at shrines and temples.

A traditional Japanese observance welcoming and honoring ancestral spirits, held around August 13-16. Customs of lighting welcoming and farewell fires and dancing Bon-odori to commemorate ancestors are rooted nationwide. With many regional customs such as Kyoto's Daimonji Gozan Okuribi and Shoro Nagashi, it embodies the Japanese view of life and death.

A traditional Japanese practice of visiting shrines and temples at New Year. Popular sites such as Meiji Jingu, Naritasan Shinshoji, and Kawasaki Daishi attract millions of visitors in the first three days alone. Drawing omikuji fortunes and writing wishes on ema plaques are customs deeply rooted in Japanese spiritual life, symbolizing the start of the new year.

A seasonal turning point observance held on the day before the first day of spring (around February 3). Beans are scattered with the chant 'Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi' (Demons out, fortune in) to expel evil and invite happiness. The custom of eating ehomaki has spread nationwide, and it is beloved as a traditional winter event at homes and shrines.

Japan's largest Tanabata festival held August 6-8 in Sendai, Miyagi. Gorgeous Tanabata decorations hung along shopping streets reach over 5 meters in height, their splendor ranking it among the Tohoku Three Great Festivals. With over 400 years of history since the era of Date Masamune, it is Sendai's iconic summer tradition.