Festivals and Events for January 2015 in Japan
January in Japan is the middle of winter with cold temperatures throughout the country. It is typically one of the coldest months, but it is still a good time to travel with clear crisp days and blue skies. Most of the country shuts down for New Year’s but reopens again around January 4th. There are quite a few traditional cultural festivals happening around this time of the year.
Here are a few of the most popular January festivals and events in Japan.
1-3 January 2015
Event: New Year’s (oshogatsu)
Location: All over Japan
New Year’s or oshogatsu in Japanese is one of the most important holidays on the calendar. It is a time to look back to the past and follow the traditional customs of the festive season. Most people will return home to spend the time together with their family, kind of like Christmas in the West. It is a popular tradition to visit a temple or shrine at midnight on December 31st. The most important ritual is hatsumode, which is the first visit to the local shrine to pray for health, happiness and prosperity.
Read more about New Year’s traditions and customs in Japan.
11-25 January 2015
Event: Sumo Hatsu Basho (Opening Tournament)
Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo
The first sumo tournament of the New Year starts in Tokyo and is always keenly anticipated. Mongolian Yokozuna Hakuho will be trying to win his 33rd tournament and break the all-time record, currently jointly held with Taiho. Interest will also be on young up-and-comers such as Japanese rikishi Endo and Mongolian 200 kg monster, Ichinojo.
12 January 2015
Event: Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day)
National Holiday
A special ceremony held on the second Monday of January for boys and girls who will reach the age of 20. Twenty is considered the beginning of adulthood in Japan, and is the age when you can legally vote, drink and smoke. Girls in kimono and boys in suits or hakama will visit large shrines to celebrate, with special ceremonies also held at local and prefectural offices.
15 January 2015
Event: Santera Mairi Festival
Location: Hida Furukawa
Time: Held during the evening
Price of Admission: FREE
The Santera Mairi Festival (three temple festival) is held in the beautiful small town of Hida Furukawa, which is just north of Hida Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. During the festival, 1000 candles line the Setogawa River creating a stunning landscape in combination with the snow. The candles called warosoku (Japanese Candles) are a specialty of Hida Furukawa, and are said to be superior to other regular candles. They are said to hold their flame even in strong winds and give off very little smoke.
17, 24, 25, 31 January 2015
Event: Shirakawa-go Winter Illumination
Location: Shirakawa-go Village, Gifu Prefecture
Time: 17:30 – 19:30
Price of Admission: FREE
Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its gassho zukuri farmhouses. This place has been famous for years due to its thatched roof farmhouses, but the beauty is raised to an even higher level when the houses are lit up in the snow. Spotlights illuminate the snow covered thatched roofs which makes this place look like a magical winter wonderland. It is truly spectacular. This year it will run from mid January to mid February.
24 January 2015
Event: Wakakusa Yamayaki Festival
Location: Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Time: Times vary according to the event
Price of Admission: FREE
Originating in the 18th century, the burning of Mount Wakakusa is one of Japan’s most spectacular festivals. It is held on the fourth Saturday of January, with the mountain being set alight by fire, while simultaneously fireworks light up the sky. It is believed to have started over a boundary dispute between Kofuku-ji Temple and Todai-ji Temple in Nara. The festival starts with a torch being lit with sacred fire at Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The fire is carried by Buddhist monks to a small shrine at the foot of the mountain. Then, the mountain is set alight by members of Kofuku-ji, Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha.
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/
