Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa Tokyo

Asakusa is probably the most popular place in Tokyo for foreign and Japanese tourists alike. Located between the other tourist hotspots of Akihabara and Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa is a great place to visit for its temples, shrines and traditional shopping streets.

Every year in late May the Sanja Matsuri (Three Shrine Festival) is held, and is regarded as one of the top 3 Shinto festivals in Japan. The festival celebrates the 3 founders of Senso-ji , the well-known temple in Asakusa. Participants carry mikoshi (little portable shrines) around Asakusa, while they chant, sing and play instruments.

It’s a really exciting festival and because there are so many mikoshi everywhere, you are guaranteed to see some authentic Japanese celebrations. Hang around and eventually one of the music performance trucks will come around, playing all sorts of old-style Japanese festival and folk music.

The mikoshi make their way around town, eventually passing down Nakamise-dori, the touristy shopping street that runs down from Senso-ji. It gets super crowded here, but the atmosphere is great, with everyone dancing, drinking and chanting. Almost 2 million visitors come to see the festival every year.

There are countless mikoshi teams who come to Asakusa every year to show off their teams power. The entire neighbourhood seems to have joined in as well, with kids playing musical instruments and grammas pushing the performance carts. The Sanja Matsuri is highly recommended for anyone who wants to see a real, fun Japanese festival.

This guest post is from Matthew, a blogger and writer living in Tokyo, Japan. He has lived cheaply in Japan for over 5 years and writes for Cheapo Japan, a travel guide dedicated to budget travel in Japan. You can read more of his work at www.cheapojapan.com

Autumn Leaves at Gujo Hachiman Castle

Gujo Hachiman Castle (郡上八幡城) is a mountain castle located on top of Mount Hachiman in Gujo Hachiman, Gifu Prefecture. The original castle was built in 1559 by Endo Morikazu, but torn down during the Meiji Restoration in 1870. The current castle was reconstructed in 1933 and this year 2013 celebrates its 80th anniversary. It is one of the best reconstructed castles in Japan and unlike most of Japan’s modern day reconstructions is not made of concrete but wood, so is more true to its original form. The castle offers amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and the view from the top of the castle is breathtaking. The castle is accessible via car or on foot and is only a short hike of around 15 minutes from the base to the top of Mount Hachiman where the castle is located.

Gujo Hachiman Castle is surrounded by maple trees which make the area really beautiful during the autumn in Japan. It is considered one of the best spots in Gifu Prefecture for momiji or autumn leaf viewing. The white structure of the castle is contrast brilliantly by the fiery red colours of the autumn foliage. The best time to see the colourful leaves is usually early to late November. There is also a night time display where the trees and castle are lit from sunset until 9 pm. This year it ran from November 9 – 17.

There is also a Momiji (Autumn Leaves) Festival that runs from November 2 – 24.

Momiji Festival

Gujo Hachiman Castle

The approach to Gujo Hachiman Castle

Autumn Leaves over the Watch Tower

Momiji at Gujo Hachiman Castle

View from Gujo Hachiman castle

Beautiful Autumn Colours at Gujo Hachiman

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Japan Festivals August 2012

Summer in Japan is the time for festivals and August is one of the hottest months for Japanese festivals and events with lots happening around the country. The hot weather is the perfect excuse to head outdoors and enjoy these spectacular events.

Some of the big festivals and events include:


Gujo Bon Odori – Held in Gujo City, Gifu from July 14 to September 8. It is regarded as one of the three best Bon Odori in Japan, and is over 400 years old. The four main days of the festival are from August 13 – 16 where the dancing goes on through the night.

Nebuta Matsuri – Held in Aomori from August 2 to 7 this summer festival is one of the largest in the Tohoku region. Nebuta refers to the elaborate floats which are carried through the centre of the city, while dancers wearing a costume called “haneto” dance around.

Kanto Matsuri – Held in Akita from August 3 to 6 this summer festival is to pray for an abundant harvest of grains. The highlight of the festival is when the performers balance long bamboo poles (kanto) with an array of paper lanterns attached to the end.

Tokyo Bay Fireworks – Held north of the Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo Bay on August 11. This spectacular fireworks display features over 12,000 shells fired from barges in the water. The best spot to view the fireworks is from Harumi Park.

Awa Odori – The Awa Odori Dance Festival in Tokushima is held from August 12 to 15. It is the largest dance festival in Japan and is held as part of the Obon festival. The festival attracts over 1.3 million tourists every year.

Obon – Is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honour the departed spirits of one’s ancestors. It has evolved into a family reunion holiday, during which people return to ancestral places and visit and clean their ancestor’s grave. It is believed that around this time the spirits revisit the household altars. Obon lasts for three days (August 13 to 16).

I would love to hear from you if you have been lucky enough to have experienced any of these festivals this year.