Future Festivities: Summer in Japan

Elizabeth had planned a trip to Japan last summer. Covid cancelled her trip. So, here, virtually, she lives out her dream journey. Here’s Elizabeth’s “What I Would Do If I Could Get to Japan.”

By Elizabeth Shay

One of the top destinations on my travel bucket list is the beautiful East Asian country of Japan. My dad moved to Japan from Taiwan at the age of five and lived there for eleven years. I have always had an interest in Japanese culture, especially the food, and my family had planned a trip for this past summer. Needless to say, the trip never happened, but my research is proving useful for this article! Here are some of the things to look forward to when visiting Japan in the summer.

Matsuri

Traditionally, matsuri are ceremonies in which the Japanese people pray to deities and honor their ancestors. Today, the word matsuri refers to the popular festivals held all over the country. Natsu matsuri is the name for the social events that take place during the summer (Japan Experience).  Most natsu matsuri include three main elements: processions, fireworks, and street food. People can be seen wearing yukata (traditional kimonos made of lightweight cotton), perfect for the summer heat and humidity. 

Here are some of the most popular masturi:

• Mitama Matsuri– This festival is four days long, from July 12 to 15. Held at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, this event is marked by the lighting of twenty thousand lanterns (Japan Rail Pass).

• Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival– The Sumidagawa is the oldest fireworks festival in the world, beginning in 1732. Attracting one million attendees annually, it celebrates hanabi (which means Japanese fireworks). The festival is based in Tokyo on the banks of the Sumida River and takes place on the last Saturday in July (Japan Rail Pass).

• Sendai Tanabata Matsuri-– Tanabata, the “feast of the stars,” follows the Chinese lunar calendar and is held on August 7. The highlight of this festival is the giant sasatake decorations. The thousands of colorful streamers, each around four meters long, decorate the town center. Resembling bright forests, they are crafted by local shops, children, and members of the community (Japan Experience).

• Gion Matsuri– Dating back to the ninth century, Gion Matsuri encompasses the entire month of July, with the most popular events occurring from the 14th to the 17th. It is famous for its floats, each representing a distinct neighborhood or corporation of Kyoto. The wheels that mobilize the floats are often as tall as a person, and traditional neighborhoods are decorated with flowers, banners, flags, and lanterns (Japan Rail Pass).

Food

Street food is not as typical in Japan as in many other countries in Asia. However, during matsuri, food stalls called yatai line the streets (Japan Rail Pass). Fried foods and foods on sticks are widely sold. The most common dishes include:

• Tako-yaki (octopus dumplings)
• Kara-age (fried chicken)
• Yaki-soba (fried noodles)
• Yaki-tori (grilled chicken skewers)
• Okonomiyaki (fried savory “pancakes”)
• Ika-yaki (grilled squid on skewers)

Popular desserts are kakigori (ice crushed with syrup), taiyaki (fish-shaped pancakes often filled with cream or red bean) and ringoame (Japanese version of a candy apple).

Other Activities

In addition to the traditional matsuri, Japan has several summer music festivals. The Fuji Rock Festival and Summer Sonic both occur in August. If festivals are not your cup of tea, you can head north to escape the heat and humidity. You can hike the milder climate of the Hokkaido region of Japan, visit the national parks, or even climb Mt. Fuji! (Lonely Planet)

Sources Referenced:

https://www.japan-experience.com/to-know/understanding-japan/the-matsuri-japanese-festivals

https://www.japan-experience.com/to-know/understanding-japan/summer-festivals-in-japan

https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/summer-festivals-japan

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-things-to-do-in-summer-in-japan

Festivities (in a post-Coronavirus time) Editor: Hannah Hall