Hina-Matsuri
(Doll Festival)
Date: March 3rd
Place: All over Japan
This is a festive event held on March 3rd when hina ningyo dolls are decorated in homes where there are daughters. It is also called Momo-no-Sekku (Peach Festival). Displayed on the a tiered doll-stand are gorgeous hina ningyo dolls together with miniature articles and furniture. And offerings of diamond-shaped rice cakes, sweet and peach blossoms are made to accompany prayers for the healthy growth and happy future of the daughters. There is also the custom of cooking clams and short-necked clams, these dishes decorate the doll-stand and are served as a special dinner for this feast.
Traditional Annual Events
January
Ball-Catching Festival
New Year's Parade of Firemen
Bullfinch Exchange
Toka Ebisu
Grass Burning on Mt. Wakakusayama
Archery Contest at Sanjusangen-do Temple
Bonden Festival
February
Sapporo Snow Festival
Setsubun Lantern Festival
Bean-Throwing Festival
Kamakura Snow Festival, Yokote
Naked Festival at Saidai-ji Temple
Hachinohe Enburi
March
Water-Drawing Festival
Doll Festival
Sagicho Festival
Dai Himonjiyaki at Aso Fire Festival
April
Floral Festival
Kamakura Festival
Takayama Festival
Yayoi Festival
May
Hakata Dontaku Festival
Kite-Fighting Contest
Bonfire Noh performance
Cormorant Fishing
Kanda Matsuri
Hollyhock Festival
Grand Festival of Spring, Nikko
Asakusa Sanja Matsuri
Mifune Matsuri
June
Bonfire Noh performance, Kyoto
Otaue Rice Planting Festival
Chagu Chagu Umako Horse Festival
Sanno Matsuri
July
Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival
Star Festival
Lantern Festival
Nachi-no-Hi-Matsuri
Gion Matsuri
Warei Taisai Festival & Uwajima Ushi-Oni Matsuri
Wild Horse Racing
Tenjin Matsuri Festival
Miyajima Kangensai Festival
Sumida River Fireworks Display
August
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri and Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri
Gujo Odori Dance Performance
Akita Kanto Matsuri
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony
Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri
Sendai Tanabata Matsuri Star Festival
Awa-Odori Folk Dance Festival in Tokushima
Yamaga Lantern Festival
Daimonji Bonfire
Giant Lantern Festival
September
Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival
Reitaisai
October
Nagasaki Kunchi Festival
Marimo Matsuri
Takayama Matsuri Autumn Festival
Ikegami Honmonji O-Eshiki
Nada Fighting Festival
Nikko Toshogu Shrine Grand Autumn Festival
Festival of the Ages
Kurama Fire Festival
November
Feudal Lord's Procession in Hakone
Karatsu Kunchi Festival
Children's Shrine-Visiting Day
Tori-no-Ichi Rake Fair
December
Chichibu Night Festival
Gishi-sai
Battledore Fair
Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri
Oga Namahage Festival
Okera-Mairi Festival