Festivals and Events for April 2014 in Japan
April 2014 sees quite a few traditional cultural festivals and events happening around Japan. Spring has started and the cherry blossoms are usually at their peak in early April in most parts of the main island of Honshu. Japan is truly beautiful at this time of the year.
5-6 April 2014
Event: Dosan Festival
Location: Gifu
Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Times vary according to the event)
Price of Admission: FREE
The Dosan Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Gifu City and celebrates the memory and achievements of Saito Dosan. He was a samurai warlord during the Sengoku (Warring States) period of Japanese history and his actions lead to the establishment of Gifu City. The festival is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of April. It starts with a memorial service for Saito Dosan at Jozai Temple (Dosan’s family temple) and is followed by many events such as festival floats (mikoshi), parades and a flea market.
12 April 2014
Event: Tejikara Fire Festival
Location: Gifu
Time: 6:30 pm to 9:10 pm
Price of Admission: FREE
The Tejikara Fire Festival is one of the most spectacular festivals in Japan with a history of over 300 years. The festival is held at Tejikarao Shrine in Gifu City and features portable shrines (mikoshi) that are carried under a curtain of fire and fireworks. Other highlights include the Gohei Andon (Standing Lanterns) that are hung 20 meters above the ground on bamboo poles and Tedutsu Hanabi (Hand-held Fireworks).
13-20 April 2014
Event: Kamakura Festival
Location: Kamakura
Time: Times vary according to the event
Price of Admission: FREE
The Kamakura Festival is held at the historic Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura and is a week long celebration of events. The festival includes portable shrines (mikoshi) and musical bands. The highlight is Yabusame held on Sunday, April 20. It features the revival of the samurai art of shooting arrows from horseback at a target.
13 and 17 April 2014
Event: Yayoi Festival
Location: Nikko
Time: Times vary according to the event
Price of Admission: FREE
The Yayoi Festival signals the start of spring in Nikko, famous for its World Heritage temples and shrines. The main attraction takes place on April 17 and features a parade of festival floats. The festival dates back to the 8th Century and follows ancient customs and traditions.
14-15 April 2014
Event: Takayama Spring Festival
Location: Hida Takayama
Time: Times vary according to the event
Price of Admission: FREE
The Takayama Spring Festival is one of the Three Most Beautiful Festivals of Japan and dates back to the 17th Century. The Spring Festival also called the “Sanno Matsuri” centers on Hie Shrine and is to pray for a good harvest. The highlight of the festival is the spectacular elaborately decorated festival floats that pass through the beautiful city of Takayama.
29 April 2014
Event: Showa Day
National Holiday
Showa Day or “Showa no Hi” in Japanese is an annual Japanese National Holiday held on April 29. It honors the birthday of the former Showa Emperor, who reigned from 1926 to 1989. The purpose of the holiday is to encourage the Japanese people to refect on this turbulent period of Japanese history. It is the first holiday of the “Golden Week” period in Japan.
John Asano is a blogger, travel writer and travel advisor living in Gifu, Japan. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, he has lived in Japan now for over 15 years. John loves nothing better than picking up his camera and exploring all the amazing sights and attractions that Japan has to offer. He writes about the must see sights and attractions in Japan at Japan Travel Advice, as well as about Japanese culture and modern life on his blog Japan Australia. You can read more of his work at http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/
