Spring

Festivals
Japanese Club
Spring
Festivals
Sanja Matsuri
Ueno Sakura
Matsuri
Kanda Matsuri
Aoi Matsuri
Sanja
Matsu
ri
Sanja
Matsuri
● One of the major spring festivals in Japan.
● Held in Asakusa on the grounds of the Senso-ji temple.
● Origin of the festival dates back to the 7th century.
 Sanja Senso-ji temple

Matsuri
● How to Enjoy the Festival
➔ Get to the grounds of the Senso-ji
temple from the Asakusa Station.
➔ This is one of the most stunning areas
of traditional Tokyo, so walking
through that area in itself is pleasant.
➔ It is a festival of high intensity.
Hence, many people and lots of voice.
➔ Traditional performances of flutes and
Japanese drums should be heard.
Sanja
Matsuri
● Watching Real Geisha Performances
➔ Sanja Matsuri is a rare event in Tokyo where you can see
real geishas.
➔ Not dancing, but doing taiko (traditional drum)
performances.
➔ Are performed during the weekend.
➔ Require a ticket purchase.
 Ueno
Sakura
Matsuri
Ueno Sakura
Matsuri
 Ueno Sakura
●
Matsuri
A traditional spring event held at Ueno
Onshi Park.
● Over 1,200 cherry trees planted at the
park site, which flourish beautifully.
● The park is a cherry blossom viewing spot
since Edo Period.
● During the festival period, the light-up of
cherry blossoms can be enjoyed at night,
and it’s counted as one of three greatest
night views of cherry blossoms in Japan.
Ueno Sakura
Matsuri
● Ueno Onshi Park is one of the most
popular hanami (cherry-blossom
viewing) sites in Japan.
● It is just a two-minute walk from
Ueno Station on foot.
● The schedule changes every year
based on the bloom forecast.
● In 2019, the festival was held
between March 21st and April 7th.
Ueno Sakura
Matsuri
● During the festival, events including the antique market are
also held.
● Ueno Sakura Matsuri in Ueno Park is a festival in Japan's
spring that everyone should visit at least once.
Kanda
Matsuri
Kanda Matsuri
● One of the three largest
festivals of Japan.
● 2 types:
➔ Hon Matsuri, occurs on odd-
numbered years
➔ Kage Matsuri, happens on
even-numbered years
 Kanda Myojin
Shrine
Kanda Matsuri
● Held at Kanda Myojin
Shrine located in the
Chiyoda ward of Tokyo.
● Kanda Myojin enshrines
three deities:
➔ the god of good harvest
➔ the god of the fishermen
➔ a feudal lord
Kanda Matsuri
● This event lasts a full week.
● Main thing: watch the procession of the mikoshi on the weekend.
● Saturday- 3 main mikoshis of the Kanda Shrine that are carried
through the Nihonbashi, Akihabara areas.
● There are musicians playing traditional instruments.
● With dancers moving along with the float so the atmosphere is
festive.
● Sunday- the mikoshi processions continue, but this time, the
spotlight goes on the many local ones of the area.
Kanda Matsuri
● An important aspect of the festival is food.
● There will be heaps of street vendors selling festival foods:
takoyaki, yakisoba or yakitori.
● There are some cheap alcohols as well.
● Perfectly normal to drink at these events in Japan.

Takoya Yakiso Yakito

 Aoi
Matsuri
 Aoi
Matsuri
● One of the three main festivals
of Kyoto.
● One of the oldest festivals in
Japan, dating back to the
Heian Era (8th century).
● Held every year on the
15th of May.
 Aoi
Matsuri
● Aoi refers to the hollyhock.
● The festival highlight is a procession of about 500 people wearing kimonos
of the Heian Era and carrying floats and umbrellas adorned with
hollyhocks.
● Enjoy the festival by gathering along the main streets of Kyoto and
watching the procession go by.
● The procession starts at the former imperial palace at 10:30 on the 15th
of May and goes up to the Kamo Shrines.
Thank you!