Festival masks in Japan

It is Autumn festival season in Japan. There are various types of festivals on each autumn. For example, traditional festivals where you can see festival floats, industry festivals with different types of markets, citizen festivals with various performances, and so much more. No matter the festival, big or small, you will find food and festival stalls. What these stalls offer or sell ranges greatly. But one of the staples of most Japanese festivals, all year round, is the festival masks.

Festival Masks

There are different types of masks available. A lot of them are catered to children. For example, masks of popular cartoon characters such as Hello Kitty or Anpanman. But there are also masks for adults. And some festivals are known for a particular mask. For example, the Kawagoe festival is known for its fox masks. So you can see a lot of people wearing or carrying a fox mask as they walk around the festival. But they usually don't wear them over their eyes, but on the back of their head! This is just for practical purposes - better vision and safety, especially at night. 

I previously reviewed Tsuchikane which is actually a shop, but you can buy masks out front during the Kawagoe festival.  Unfortunately, most of the festival stalls that sell masks don't have an online presence and their stall location at a festival changes year on year. But once you walk around a festival you will eventually find a place with masks on offer. Moreover, there are places you can buy masks all year round. Especially in tourist towns. You will find a review on City-cost for Dagashi Edoya which is one such place. And they have a great selection. They make a nice souvenir. 

Have you ever bought a mask at a festival? Or in a shop?