Festivals and Events for September 2014 in Japan

Gujo Hachiman

Festivals and Events for September 2014 in Japan

September in Japan is the start of Autumn with the weather generally cooling down a little. September is a good time to travel in Japan with clear skies and cooler mornings and evenings after the hot summer months. There are quite a few traditional cultural festivals happening around this time of the year.

Here are a few of the most popular September festivals and events in Japan.

11 May to 15 October 2014

Event: Gifu Ukai (Cormorant Fishing)
Location: Nagara River in Gifu City
Time: Starts from 7:30 pm
Price of Admission: A fee applies for the viewing boat

Cormorant Fishing or ukai in Japanese is a major summer attraction on the Nagara River in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Ukai is a traditional fishing method that uses trained cormorants to catch river fish. The art has been practiced along the Nagara River in Gifu for more than 1,300 years. It has a very long history in Japan and is mentioned in many ancient chronicles.

Gifu Cormorant Fishing

Mid July to Early September 2014

Event: Gujo Bon Odori
Location: Gujo Hachiman
Time: 8 pm to 10:30 pm (11 pm on Saturdays)
Price of Admission: FREE

The Gujo Bon Odori is one of Japan’s largest traditional folk dance festivals. It is held at the picturesque Gujo Hachiman in Gifu Prefecture, a place that is often called “Little Kyoto”. The Bon Odori is held to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors. The dance festival is held over a period of 33 nights during the summer, climaxing with 4-nights of all night dancing during “Obon” in the middle of August. The closing ceremony is on 6 September.

14-15 September 2014

Event: Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri
Location: Osaka
Time: Times vary according to the event
Price of Admission: FREE

The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is a fun high octane festival held in Kishiwada, Osaka. The festival began in 1703 when the Daimyo (lord) of Kishiwada prayed to the Shinto gods for an abundant harvest. The festival features 35 elaborately hand-carved danjiri festival floats which are pulled through the streets of Osaka. Each float is pulled by a team of up to 1,000 people and represent a different district of the city.

14-28 September 2014

Event: Grand Sumo Tournament
Location: Tokyo

The Grand Sumo Tournament Tokyo starts at Kokugikan on September 14 and lasts until September 28. It is the fifth out of six tournaments held every year and lasts for 14 days. This year the tournament will see the debut at the Ozeki rank of Japanese sumo wrestler Goedo.

14-16 September 2014

Event: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Matsuri
Location: Kamakura
Time: Times vary according to the event
Price of Admission: FREE

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Matsuri held at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura features displays of yabusame, which is an ancient tradition from the Kamakura Period. Yabusame can be described as Japanese archery on horseback. It is a contest combining both equestrian skills and Japanese-style archery, which was popular among the samurai warriors.

15 September 2014

Event: Keiro no Hi (Respect for the Aged Day)
National Holiday

Respect for the Aged Day or Keiro no Hi in Japanese is a National Holiday held on the third Monday of September. It is a day in Japan to respect our elders and celebrate longevity. The holiday started in 1966 and can trace its origins to 1947 when Taka-cho in Hyogo Prefecture declared September 15 “Old Folks Day”. Its popularity spread nationwide and it become a national holiday in 1966.

23 September 2014

Event: Shubun no Hi (Autumn Equinox Day)
National Holiday

Autumn Equinox Day or Shubun no Hi in Japanese is a National Holiday on September 23. Autumn Equinox Day became a national holiday on 1948. It’s a day to mark the changing of the seasons in Japan and pay our respects to our deceased ancestors.

Festivals and Events for September 2014 in Japan

John Asano (127 Posts)

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/