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The important fall festival of Karatsu Shrine, features 14 floats eachweighing a big 1.5 tons (3,300 lb) formerly were built with large sums of money to beseech gods for bumper crops. These behemoths are carried and pulled with apparent gusto through the streets. This energetic festivalis one where manly bravura is on display to loud shouts of "enya! enya!" and "oisa! oisa!" along with the resounding sounds of flutes and drums the parade exudes of the passionate spirit of the participants. This event is also designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset.

Celebrating a proud legacy of the famed Mori Clan, the festivalstarted when 'Kanaya Tenmangu' Shrine's pavilion was restored and paraded in dedication to the shrine's god in 1720. 'Hagi Daimyo Gyoretsu' (feudal lord's procession) is the festival's highlight when more than two hundred citizens in Edo Period samurai attire grandly parade around the city. Traditionalstepping called 'Ashibumi' with periodic shouts of "iisa yooshi"draw attention to the participants. Witness a dance with a 5.5meter (18 feet) length pike, a 'Zouri' dance for the Princessriding the carriage and 'Danna' with a horse riding young lad attired in 'haori-hakama' are absolutely must-see. Enjoy the procession, a faithful representation of a picture scroll fromthe Edo Period.

'Matsue Do Gyoretsu', the 'Matsue Drum Parade', combines the labors of 30 neighborhood associations, each constructs huge two-meter-wide (6.5 feet) 'Do' drums that are then mounted on 'miyazukuri' stylized floats that are energetically parades through the city. Children arrayed in 'happi' coats pull the floats, while young people atopthe platforms pummel the drums and toot on innumerable bamboo flutes. The drums are accompanied by flutes, and the sounds of this hectic procession echoes through the city.

Nationally popular, 'Danjiri-matsuri' with over 3 centuries ofhistory, is exciting, powerful and also an aggressive sporting festival. It is said that it created by the Lord of Kishiwada Castle to pray for an abundant harvest. 'Danjiri' is a type of exquisitely adorned traditional wooden float. During the festival, about 35 'danjiri' teams bring their sacred float on a recklessly swift tour of this castle town in a race of strength, endurance, and celebration.

The highlight of this festival is a procession of colorful and varied costumes and articles worn by the nobility and commoners, representing different periods through the passage of about eleven centuries ofJapanese history. A procession lasting five hours with about 2,000 people and dozens of cattle and horses stretching through two kilometres proceeds along aroute from the Kyoto Imperial site to Heian Shrine. Historic costumes and equipment in this processionare based on meticulous research by many experts.

The amazingly elegant annual festival of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine is acclaimed as one of the three most beautiful festivals of Japan. The highlight of the festival is a splendid 'Yatai', a portable shrine described as amobile Youmeimon (the famous,intricately decorated gate to ToshoguShrine in Nikko) and the skillfully operated marionettes displayed on these floats. Some of the participants in the procession play Shinto music wearing traditional costumes. Visitors are fully absorbed by the solemnity of the occasion and enthralled by the breathtaking surrounding scenery.

A large fair in Shizuoka where visitors enjoy 'O-cha'(tea) will be held in one of the major areas of tea production. A variety of tea events during the festival include "O-CHA time tunnel" to discover the history and culture of delicious tea. "Tea Room with New Sense" to introduce the settings pleasantly coordinated by architects, food researchers and interior designers. "World Tea Party of one's own" where Japanese and international groups as well as individuals present new styles of enjoying tea including tealeaves, tea utensils and ways of brewing a good cup of tea. There will also be a tea trading fair, world tea conference and tea tasting contest. Visitors can purchase tea, sweets and foods as well as sample tea and sweets from many places around the world! Enjoy and discover the wonderful world of tea and food culture.

'Hadaka (naked) Matsuri', a traditional autumn festival harking back to the Edo Era, created for the purpose of praying for bumper crops and good fishing. The highlight of the festival is called 'Shiofumi' when 18 floats sponsored by local shrines are carried out to sea by brave young men clad only in scanty loincloth to the encouraging cheers of spectators.

One of several big festivals held annually in Tokyo, takes place nearIkebukuro train station. The festivities include a 'Mikoshi' festival whenvisitors can admire various portable shrines from the Kanto region andenjoy an energetic show of 'Taiko' (Japanese drums) plus dancingsuch as 'Ikebukuro Yassa', with participants parading and displayingtheir skills on a special stage. 'Tokyo Yosakoi' Competition is waged onthe last day with teams from across Japan showinf off fine costume while performingintricate dances on the streets and 'Yosakoi' choreography to the distinctive sound of'Naruko' (bird rattle) along with accompanying traditional dance music.

One of the three biggest festivals in the region of Kanto, Kawagoe-matsuri(festival) has its origin as far back as 1648 when Lord Matsudaira Nobutsuna donated a 'mikoshi' (portable shrine). In later years, floats created by neighbouring towns also became participants. 'Hikkawase' the energetic pulling of the floats along the parade streets is the highlight of the festival. When a float overtakes another one, 'matsuri-bayashi' music is played tourge more efforts from the competitors while throngs of spectators cheer the brave float pullers.

This fall festival, 'Aizu Hanko Gyoretsu' is an impressive Samurai Procession along the streets in the vicinity of famed Tsuruga Castle. During the evening of September 22, as many as 10,000 participants parade holding thousands of lanterns aloft creating an exciting ambiance for viewers. The following day, the main parade consists of 500 armor-clad Samurai warriors proudly marching along the streets. The celebrations include a drum and fife band, a children's parade, and the famous O-Bon dance. Foreign tourists, old and young are thrilled by the ancient martial sights and sounds.