Events in Japan in MAY

Japan is a land of many festivals. In cities, large and small, as well

as in rural districts, colorful rites and merrymaking—some of

religious significance and others to honor historical personages

or occasions—are held throughout the four seasons.

No matter what month of the year you may choose for your

trip to Japan, you have an opportunity of enjoying a goodly number

of these celebrations. And, joining the joyful throng, you will

actually feel the pages of Japanese history being turned back and

will experience the pleasant thrill of peeking into the nation’s

ancient culture and traditions.

MAY Events in Japan

3rd Constitution Memorial Day

(national holiday)

3rd–4th Hakata Dontaku in Fukuoka,Fukuoka Pref.

3rd–5th Kite Battles in Hamamatsu,Shizuoka Pref.

Commemorated on this day is the establishment of the modern Japanese

Constitution, which came into effect in 1947. This new Constitution prohibits armament

and war.

Citizens in fancy disguises parade through the streets, masquerading as legendary gods

on horseback to the accompaniment of Shamisen, flutes and drums.

Huge kites are flown by groups of citizens, who try to cut the strings of their opponents’

kites by skillful maneuvering.

5th Children’s Day(national holiday)

3rd Fri. Takigi Noh Performance at & Sat. Kofukuji Temple, Nara

11th–Oct.15th Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River, Gifu Pref.

Sat. & Sun. Kanda Matsuri of Kanda

before 15th Myojin Shrine, Tokyo

(held every other year)

15th Aoi Matsuri or HollyhockFestival of Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines, Kyoto

17th & 18th Grand Festival of ToshoguShrine, Nikko, Tochigi Pref.

3rd Fri., Sat., Sanja Matsuri of Asakusa

and Sun. Shrine, Asakusa, Tokyo

3rd Sun. Mifune Matsuri or Boat

Festival, Arashiyama, Kyoto

Ceremonies and parties are observed throughout the country in which the children

are wished happiness and prosperity. People hoist carp-shaped streamers on tall bamboo

poles outdoors, take a hot bath with iris leaves floating in it, and eat rice dumplings

wrapped in bamboo leaves called Chimaki and rice cakes stuffed with sweet bean

paste wrapped in oak leaves called Kashiwa-mochi. Some homes display a

Kabuto(ancient warrior helmet) in the hope that the boys will have a strong and

healthy warrior spirit.

Noh Plays are presented after dark to late evening, on a stage set up in the precincts

of the temple, under the light of blazing torches.

Cormorant fishing is an ancient method of catching Ayu, a trout-like fish, with trained

birds. This takes place at night under the light of blazing torches fastened to the

prows of fishing boats.

Dozens of mikoshi portable shrines are paraded in the neighboring area of the shrine.

A gala tea ceremony is also offered.

The festival features a magnificent pageant colorfully reproducing the Imperial procession

that paid homage to the shrines in ancient days.

This centuries-old festival is featured by a gala parade (on the 18th) of over 1,000

armor-clad people, who escort three shrine palanquins through the town’s streets.

Nearly 100 mikoshi portable shrines, carried by happi-coated men and women,

assemble at the shrine; afterward they parade to the respective parishioners’ areas. A

gala pageant, with 1,000 participants in traditional attire, consisting of Sanja-bayashi

festival music, Geisha, Kiyari, etc. add color to the festival.

This charming festival is held on the Oi River near Arashiyama in the suburbs of

Kyoto. It revives the atmosphere of the Heian Period (794–1192) when the Emperor

and his courtiers often went on pleasure trips on the river.