There are many incredible Japanese autumn festivals that celebrate the country’s rich history as well as its unique and long-enduring Shinto religion.
If you’ve been thinking of an autumn trip to this beautiful country, here are five autumn festivals in Japan worth experiencing.
Takayama Autumn Festival
There are two Takayama festivals - one in the spring and one in the autumn. The Takayama Autumn Festival takes place over two days, October 9 and 10.
It’s held in and around Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, which is why the festival is also known as the Hachiman Festival. The main focus is to celebrate the autumn season, give thanks, and wish for a good autumn harvest.
A key attraction of the festival is the intricately designed floats that move through the streets and shrine area. Some of these floats are topped with marionettes. At set times, puppeteers control the marionettes and make them perform traditional dances.
On the evening of the 9th, evening festivities are kicked off with the 11 floats of the festival being lit by around 100 lanterns each.
Jidai Matsuri in Kyoto
The Jidai Matsuri, which translates to Festival of Ages, is held on October 22 every year - the anniversary of the foundation of Kyoto.
With a procession that takes about two hours to experience everything, the parade celebrates various periods of Japanese history, particularly the 1,000+ years in which Kyoto was the nation’s capital.
The parade travels from the Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine, which honors the first and last emperors to serve when Kyoto was the capital - Emperor Kammu and Emperor Komei, respectively.
The procession is separated into historical eras, which are then further separated into themes. Participants wear era-accurate clothing to reflect each period. It begins with characters from the Meiji Restoration in 1868, then continues in reverse chronological order until the beginning of the Heian Period (794 - 1185).
At the end of the parade, participants carry two mikoshi (portable shrines) containing the spirits of Emperor Kammu and Emperor Komei back to Heian Shrine.
Kurama Fire Festival
Another festival that occurs within the Kyoto prefecture on October 22, the Kurama Fire Festival is held from sunset to midnight. It takes place around Yuki Shrine at the base of Mount Kurama.
Yuki Shrine is believed to have been founded during the Heian Period. The shrine for deity Yuki Daimyōjin, originally enshrined in the Imperial Palace, was transferred to Mount Kurama, north of Kyoto City. It was said be moved due to earthquakes and public concern regarding protecting the shrine.
The festival itself starts around sunset, when members of the village light small torches in front of their homes. They may also display family heirlooms, such as samurai armor, in their windows.
The small lit torches outside the homes are used to light the far larger torches that are carried during the ceremony. These torches, known as taimatsu, can weight up to 80kg and are carried by men in the village.
The torch bearers gather at the Sanmon Gate. When a sacred rope is cut, select men traverse up Mount Kurama to retrieve two portable shrines. They then come down the mountain with these shrines, bringing them back towards Yuki Shrine itself.
They carry the portable shrines through the village before resting them at Yuki Shrine. All of the large torches used during the ceremony are piled together to form a large bonfire. People gather to give thanks and to pray for protection from natural disasters.
The entire procession comes to a close by midnight.
Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival
Every autumn, Hirosaki Castle and its surrounding botanical garden in Hirosaki Park are transformed into a beautiful display of natural splendour. During this time, the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival takes place.
In addition to the falling leaves and the striking vibrancy of flowers such as chrysanthemums, participants also create inspiring sculptures and works of art out of chrysanthemums and other autumn flowers.
Highlights of this festival include:
- Chrysanthemum boat
- Citizen chrysanthemum display
- Chrysanthemum topiary
- Five-storied pagoda with handcrafted figures with clothes made of chrysanthemum blossoms and leaves
- Hirosaki Castle picture contest
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri
As popular as many of Japan’s summer fetivals, the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is an annual celebration held in Kishiwada in mid-September, on a Saturday and Sunday.
The festival is a competition between different neighborhoods within the city. One team from each of the 34 neighborhoods compete, manually pulling a 4-ton danjiri (wooden float) through the city streets.
As teams pull these heavy floats, they must navigate sharp corners and narrow intersections, working together to keep them balanced and under control. Carpenters who built them and other members of the respective teams’ neighborhoods ride the floats.
One representative is chosen to stand atop the float’s roof, performing traditional fan dances and jumping from one side of the float to the other to help shift its weight when it turns corners.
Given the active participation from all neighborhoods of the city, the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is a high-energy affair that brings in locals and tourists from across Japan.
These are just five of many mesmerising and unforgettable Japanese autumn festivals that you can experience.
If you’re looking to experience a slice of Japanese culture but don’t have the money just yet for a trip, why not try out some of their most beloved snacks and treats?
View Sakura Box’s range of Japanese Candy and Snack Gift Boxes to see which delicious treats are available to enjoy.