Japan event calendar
The 12 months
January - New Year しょうがつ
New Year in Japan is the most important celebration of the year. Japanese people often travel home to spend time with their families. On New Year's Day they visit local shrines to pray for good health and happiness for coming year. They send new year's cards out to wish each other a happy new year.
February - Soya bean Festival だいず
On February 3 people throw roasted soya beans around the house to bring good fortune, saying which means "devils out, good fortune in. Shrines also hokd special bean-throwing ceremonies.
March- Girls Festival ひなまつり
March 3rd is the festival for girls in Japan. On this day, hina dolls and peach blossoms are displayed in houses of female childern.
April - Cherry Blossoms Bloom Festival はな
When the cherry blossoms bloom in Japan, people like to pinic under the cherry- blossoms trees, as well as play music, dance and play cards.
May - Childern's Day
Childern's Day is a public holiday, and is a celebration of the male childern in the family. Ornamental samurai helements and swords are displayed inside the house of male childern and carp kited are flown poles outsides.
June - Rainy Season Festival にゅうばい
Rainy season is the time in Japan when rains and rains and rains. Of course, all of this rain is welcomed by farmers - rains is necessary to yield a good harvest.
July - The Star Festival たなばた
People decorate bamboo trees with streamers and other decorations for the star festival, and often write their wishes on colourful paper and attach these to the bamboo trees as well.
August - Buddist festival
Buddhist festival celebrating the return of the souls of one's ancestors. Laterns are lit to welcome ancestors back to the house.
September - Autumn Festival あきまつり
The Autumn Hachiman Matsuri, which is held annually on October 9th and 10th prompts the local inhabitants to start their winter preparations. The greatest attractions are the eleven yatai floats which are designated as significant intangible folk cultural assets. *Their splendid motifs produced by the skills of the master artisans called Hida no Takumi are so gorgeous that they are often described as 'mobile Yomeimon' in association with the renowned Yomeimon Gate of Nikko Tosho Shrine.
October - Sports day
Sports Day and is a public holiday throughout Japan. Around this time, many schools hold their annual.
November- Culture day
The Emperor gives out awards for outstanding cultural contributions. Students are busy planning their own school's, which is just like a school fete.
December - Christmas クリスマス
Christmas in Japan is quite different from the Chrismas celebrated in most countries in which the population has a large percentage of Christians or a Christian heritage. Only 1/2 of 1% of the Japanese population is estimated to be Christian, with the majority of Japanese being tolerant of all faiths: Buddhism, Christianity, Shinto, etc. In spite of this, the Japanese are great lovers of festivals and celebrations, including Christmas.