Mar 6, 2025
Every year, some years, one and done? How often do you visit local festivals?
One of our biggest annual festivals took place in the last week, and it got me thinking -- with your local area's annual festivals, do you go every year, some years, or check it out once and don't make a repeat appearance? I'd say it's a mixed bag for me: there are some I love going to each year, some that I go to every few years (e.g. if the weather really sucks I'll skip it), and some that I've been to once and didn't find the need to revisit. How about you?
Best Answer
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on Mar 6
I totally understand one-and-done festival experiences. Some are on my bucket list, such as Awa Odori in Tokushima, either the summer or autumn Sawara festivals for the elaborate parade floats, and the Sapporo Snow Festival. Closer to home, I attend local festivals within easy travel time and distance, some on repeat because they're in my city, and others one-offs because of the travel time and train fare costs.
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on Mar 6
Since I'm fairly new to Japan, I love to visit local festivals to immerse myself deeper into the culture and expand my understanding of it. As @TonetoEdo commented it mostly depends on travel time and train fare cost because travelling all the way up there needs to be worth it. What are your most favorite festivals you've attended to date?
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on Mar 6
@samoona a lot of my favorite ones have been flower-related -- the Fuji Shibazakura Festival is great, and I also love the azalea festival at Shiofune Kannon on the outskirts of Tokyo. Just some really breathtaking natural spots! Culture-wise, the Niigata town I live in has a quirky one called the Naked Pushing Festival, which is definitely one of the more unique events I've been to.
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on Mar 6
@samoona Assuming you live in the Kanto region and haven't seen some spectacular regional fesitvals, I recommend Kamagaya Shimin Matsuri in autumn with two regional traditions. You can take in Awa-Odori originating in Tokushima Prefecture. It's a vibrant dance tradition. The city also invites Soma Nomaoi from Fukushima Prefecture. It's a tradition of samurai on horseback.
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on Mar 10
@TonetoEdo @genkidesu Thank you for your recommendations. I'm adding these festivals to the this year's bucket list! As you've suggested, I'll start exploring other prefectures soon.
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on Mar 10
@samoona You're welcome! Your profile indicates Tokyo, so I'd say start with Gotokyo.org which has a "new and now" listing of events including festivals. Note that some big festivals alternate. This year, you're in luck as the full Kanda Matsuri is held on odd-numbered years (so it doesn't compete with the Sanno festival in even-numbered years). Each prefecture in Kanto has their own official guide, also with event and festival listings. I'm
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on Mar 11
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on Mar 12
@BigfamJapan Which are your preferred Saitama Prefecture sakura masturi? What keeps you going back?
8 Answers