Nada Fighting Festival

A festival of Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo, one of Japan's Three Great Festivals. Called 'Tenka Matsuri' in the Edo period, it was a prestigious festival granted the shogun's viewing. During the main festival held every other year, over 200 portable shrines parade through central Tokyo including Akihabara, embodying the vitality of modern Tokyo.

Tokyo's premier festival held annually in May at Asakusa Shrine. About 100 portable shrines parade through Asakusa's streets, with the spirited bearers generating such intensity it is called 'kenka mikoshi' (fighting shrine). Embodying the spirit and vitality of Edokko (true Tokyoites), it attracts nearly 2 million spectators as one of Tokyo's largest festivals.

A festival held every June at Enryuji Temple in Hiroshima, heralding the arrival of summer. Known as the festival marking the start of yukata season, it is Hiroshima's largest yukata festival, attracting 450,000 visitors. Hundreds of stalls line Chuo-dori, and the sight of people in yukata is an early summer tradition of Hiroshima.

A community-focused spring festival held in Ikuno Ward, Osaka City. Centered around Tsuruhashi Station's shopping streets, featuring food stalls and parades. Reflecting Ikuno Ward's multicultural background known for its yakiniku culture, it strengthens local community bonds.

A fire festival held annually in November in Hachioji, Tokyo. Long revered as a local fire ceremony, it centers on fire-lighting rituals. The unique practice of visitors igniting torches from sacred fire to carry home embodies Japan's spiritual belief in fire's purifying power.

A food culture festival held in autumn on Tanegashima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Features cooking demonstrations and tastings of fresh local horse mackerel, a regional specialty. Promotes the area's food culture and fosters interaction between tourists and locals. Small in scale but distinctly regional in character.