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A festival that takes place in the district between Naka River and Mikasa River of Hakata-ward, originally to worship 'Susanoh-no-mikoto', a famous Shinto 'god' and his children. Presently it is one of the two biggest festivals in Hakata Area, and famous for its unique 'Yamakasa' shout. Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival reaches its climax on the 15th of July, called 'Oiyama' when a fleet of giant floats topped by elaborate decorations are paraded through the streets at the fastest running speed possible by heroic men wearing 'mizu-happi' (traditional folk wear).

Originating in Kochi City in 1954, 'Yosakoi' is a unique style of dancing, a modern version of 'Awa Odori' a traditional summer dance. Events are now held in some 200 locations throughout Japan. Combining traditional and elaborate Japanese dance movements, it's an uptempo style accompanied by modern music. The Kochi 'yosakoi' competition rules requires that each dancer must make use of a 'naruko' (a small hand-held wooden clapper), that the accompanying music must feature at least a part of 'Yosakoi Naruko Dancing' and the official 'Yosakoi Song' as well as limiting each team to 150 participants. And, should you not know it, 'yosakoi' translates as "Please come at night."

Day and night the entire city resounds with the singing and dancing of traditional 'Awa-odori'; visitors are encouraged to take part in this joyful dancing parade. This folk dance attracts many people throughout Japan, because of its exciting rhythm and open-minded hospitality, so the foreign visitor might encounter this 'Awa-odori' dance festival in many different places in and even outside of Tokushima Prefecture throughout the country during summer time.

A great festival held in Osaka City's Tenmangu Shrine. A fleet of boats bearing portable shrines sail down the Dojima River, observing a tradition of over a thousand years. Origin of this festival is a Shinto ritual service of throwing a sacred pike into the river two years after Tenmangu Shrine was established, and then devotees held a boat in the river to welcome it. Especially at the 'Genroku' Period (late 17th Century), Naniwa of Osaka, became a big city so called the 'Tenka-no-daidokoro', translated as 'The Kitchen of the entire state' and this festival enjoys great status as a symbol celebrating the height of its prosperity. Even now, 'Tenjin Matsuri' is the symbol of Naniwan Spirits.

One of the three most celebrated festivals in Kyoto dating to the 9th Century when the population sought the protection of the gods against a raging pestilence that was then ravaging the city. Gorgeous 'yamahoko' floats grandly parade through the main streets, starting from Shijoh - Karasuma, on the 17th of July. The 'yamahokos' are all on view before this parade day, and visitors can wander about admiring them while enjoying a beverage and many kinds of food treats available from street stalls throughout 'Hokousha-tengoku' (a "vehicle - free area") in Shijo Street zone from 14th to 16th of the month, Later in the month, from the 24th 'Hanagasa Junko' offers entertainers and beautifully decorated 'hanagasa' representing walking sticks for gods equipped with umbrellas. The festive parade marches through the main streets from Yasaka Shrine via Shijoh - Kawaramachi & Oike - Teramachi dori Street, hence return to Yasaka Shrine.

Also known as Brave Sea Festival, 'Abare Matsuri' (Powerful Festival) was originally held some 330 years ago to counteract a violent epidemic then raging in the area. It is reputed the most 'fierce' festivals in all of Japan. Featured are some 50 'kiriko' (mikoshi lantern) as tall as 7 meters (approx. 20 ft) and built of plain wood and two 'mikoshi' (miniature shrine) with participants ultimately going on a frenetic rampage of destruction and a climatic fiery destruction of the 'mikoshis'.

One of three major river festivals of Japan, the 500 year old 'Owari Tsushima Tenno Matsuri' is a superb annual event hosted at historic Tsushima Shrine. From the depth of the Japanese feudal era, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, fearsome warlords belonging to the Owari clan were reputedly in attendance. The evening festival is particularly colorful and a splendid sight to witness. Five 'makiwara-bune' (calendar boat) festooned in illuminated paper lanterns representing the 12 months and 365 days of the year, cross the brilliantly shimmering Tenno River all to the evocative accompaniment of numerous traditional regional (Tsushima) flutes.

20,000 fireworks, the largest number set off in Tokyo. The narrowness of the Sumida River restricts the size, especially between high buildings, of fireworks and therefore the pyrotechnicians must take that fact into consideration and use appropriately sized fireworks, smaller but still thrilling and beautiful in the eyes of onlookers.

The biggest fireworks (a stunning 800m in radius) in the world, according to the authoritative Guinness Book of Records, illuminate the entire sky on each night. Interestingly, sponsors are local people wishing for their family's health, longevity, happiness and other desirable things.

'Tanabata' or Star Festival in Sendai is the largest and brightest of its kind. The main streets are decorated with numerous colored paper streamers and banners. Why not try wearing a 'yukata' and enjoy strolling about and viewing the decorations? A delightful pre-event is the fireworks display that takes place the evening of the 5th of August.

By Japanese standards, this festival initiated in 1963 is a relative new-comer, yet it is now considered one of the major attractions of Tohoku Region annually attracting a million spectators or more. Each dance troupe arrayed in identical colorful costumes, cavort and dance joyfully through the main street of Yamagata City. Participants proudly wave 'hanagasa' hats, colorful headwear decorated with synthetic safflower blooms symbolic of Yamagata Prefecture. A stunning total of 10,000 dancers representing about 100 dance groups, parade following gorgeously decorated floats. Shouts of 'Yassho! Makkasho!' mingling with the heady rhythm of festival drums enhance the cheerful mood of the day.

One of the top firework maker competitions in Japan. The public comes from all over Japan to view the big breath-taking fireworks. Only Japan's best 30 firework makers are entitled to participate in the competition to show their fireworks created with all their magic.

Enormous, illuminated papier-maché dummies set on floats that are so wide and tall they require great care as they have but inches to spare as they parade through Aomori's streets. 'Nebuta' in Aomori City is famous for its big paper doll shape light parade, and 'Neputa' in Hirosaki City, on the other hand, are doll paintings on illuminated huge fan shaped paper. This event is recognized as one of the finest such festival in the Tohoku Area (northern part of 'Honshu', Japan's main island).