Obon

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.

Japan's largest Bon dance festival with over 400 years of history in Tokushima Prefecture. Known for the chant 'It's a fool who dances and a fool who watches—if both are fools, you might as well dance,' it is held annually during the Obon period in August. Groups called 'ren' dance through the streets to distinctive rhythms.

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 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 New Year culture of welcoming the toshigami deity with kadomatsu, shimenawa, and kagami-mochi, celebrating with osechi cuisine and otoso sake. New Year card exchanges, otoshidama gifts, and hatsumode visits are among many traditions concentrated at year's start, forming the foundation of the Japanese annual rhythm. It is the cultural milestone where the spirit of 'wa' (harmony) is felt most strongly.