Japanese festivals

Part of a series on
Shinto
Beliefs Kami List of deities Polytheism Animism/Animatism Mythology Sacred objects Sects and schools
Major kami Amaterasu Sarutahiko Ame-no-Uzume Inari Izanagi Izanami Susanoo Tsukuyomi
Important literature Kojiki (c. 711 CE) Nihon Shoki (720 CE) Fudoki (713–723 CE) Shoku Nihongi (797 CE) Kogo Shūi (807 CE) Kujiki (807–936 CE) Engishiki (927 CE)
Shinto shrines List of Shinto shrines Ichinomiya Twenty-Two Shrines Modern system of ranked Shinto shrines Association of Shinto Shrines Shinto architecture
Practices Festivals Ritual dance Music Ritual purification Ritual incantations Kannushi Miko
See also Religion in Japan Glossary of Shinto Syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism Edo neo-Confucianism Ko-Shintō State Shinto Kokugaku Nippon Kaigi Mythical creatures History Secular Shrine Theory
Religion portal
v t e

Part of a series on the
Culture of Japan
History Era names Demographics Historical currency Economic history Education, Science, and Technology Healthcare Imperial history Foreign relations Historiography Military history Naval history Post-Japanese occupation history
People Japanese Zainichi Koreans Ainu Ōbeikei Islanders Yamato Ryukuyuans
Languages Japonic Japanese Ryukyuan Hachijō Ainu Writing system Japanese Sign Language
Traditions Clothing Etiquette Funerals Games Geisha Wasōbon Marriage Onsen / Sentō Tea ceremony Values
Mythology and folklore Deities Legendary creatures Urban legends Folktales
Cuisine Food history Ingredients Dishes
Festivals Obon Coming of Age Day Hinamatsuri Buddha's Birthday Tanabata Shichi-Go-San Cultural festivals Japanese New Year
Religion Buddhism Christianity New religions Shinto
Art Bonsai Gardens Ikebana Pottery and porcelain
Literature Light novel Manga Poetry
Music and performing arts J-pop Anison Kayōkyoku Noh
Media Radio Television Cinema Anime Media mix Mobile phone culture Video games Pornography
Sport Sumo Baseball Association football Martial arts Basketball Ice hockey American football Rugby union Olympics
Monuments World Heritage Sites Architecture Cultural Landscapes Cultural Properties National Treasures
Symbols Flag Coat of arms National anthem
Organisations Museums
Japan portal
v t e

Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions often celebrated with dance and music in Japan. In Japan, festivals are called matsuri (祭り), and the origin of the word matsuri is related to the kami (神, Shinto deities), and there are theories that the word matsuri is derived from matsu (待つ) meaning "to wait (for the kami to descend)", tatematsuru (献る) meaning "to make offerings to the kami", and matsurau (奉う) meaning "to obey the kami".^[1] The theory that it is derived from matsurau is the most popular.^[2]

It is estimated that there are between 100,000 and 300,000 festivals across Japan,^[3][4] generating an annual economic impact of 530 billion yen as of 2019.^[4] As of 2024, 33 of these festivals have been registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists as "Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan".^[5] Various folk dances, costume processions, kagura, dengaku, bugaku, and noh performed at festivals are also registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.^[6] For example, 41 folk dances including bon odori from various regions of Japan are registered as "Furyu-odori"^[7] and 10 costume processions including namahage are registered as "Raihō-shin".^[8]

Japanese festivals reflect the unique religious beliefs of the Japanese people, who worship onryō (怨霊, vengeful spirits) and violent kami, based on the background of Japan's frequent natural disasters. Based on the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, Japanese people worship not only the spirits that inhabit all things and the souls of their ancestors, but also terrifying onryō and violent kami that protect people from epidemics and natural disasters. For example, Gion Matsuri, Tenjin Matsuri (ja), and Kanda Matsuri, which are considered the three major festivals in Japan, worship the onryō of Gozu Tennō, Sugawara no Michizane, and Taira no Masakado, respectively, and pray for good health and protection from natural disasters. Since these festivals are held in urban areas, each attracts hundreds of thousands to over a million spectators each year.^[9][10] On the other hand, Gion Matsuri, Aoi Matsuri, and Jidai Matsuri are considered the three major festivals in Kyoto. Gion Matsuri attracts huge crowds to see the procession of huge dashi (山車, matsuri floats) and mikoshi (神輿, portable shrines), while Aoi Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri attract crowds to see the procession of people dressed in period costumes.^[11]

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri and the Tokushima Awa Odori are large, historic festivals in local cities that attract more than 2 million visitors each year, and more than 1 million visitors each year, respectively.^[12][13] According to a 2022 survey, they ranked first and second, respectively, in recognition in Japan, followed by the Gion Matsuri in third place.^[14]

There are also many Japanese festivals in which the kami are prayed to for a good harvest of rice and other crops. In agricultural festivals, different ceremonies are held in each of the four seasons, and festivals are classified into different types, such as otaue-matsuri (御田植祭) and aki-matsuri (秋祭り), according to their significance. In general, festivals held in the spring pray for a good harvest for the year, festivals held in the summer pray for rice and crops to be free from pests and storm damage, festivals held in the fall give thanks for the harvest, and festivals held in the winter pray for a good harvest in the new year.^[15]

Many secular and modern festivals are also held, with the Sapporo Snow Festival attracting 2.73 million visitors in 2019.^[16]