Tokyo

Holidays and Festivals

Japan has many national and local holidays and festivals (matsuri). The Sanjamatsuri at Asakusa Shrine in May, the Kandamatsuri at the Kanda Shrine in the same month, and the Sanno-sai at Hie Shrine in June are the three major Tokyo festivals.

JANUARY
New Year's Day (Shogatsu)
Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi)

FEBRUARY
Setsubun
National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinen no Hi)

MARCH
Girls' Day (Hinamatsuri)
Spring Equinox Day (Shumbun no Hi)

APRIL
Cherry Blossom Viewing (Hanami)
Birthday of the Buddha (Hanamatsuri)
Flower and Greenery Day (Hana to Midori no Hi)—beginning of Golden Week, a national holiday of several days' duration

MAY
Constitution Day (Kempo Kinembi)
Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi)
Sanja Festival (Sanjamatsuri)
Kanda Festival (Kandamatsuri)

JUNE
Sanno-sai
Tanabata-matsuri

JULY
Sumida River fireworks display

AUGUST
Festival of the Dead (Obon)

SEPTEMBER
Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi)
Autumnal Equinox Day (Shubun no Hi)

OCTOBER
Sports Day (Taiiku no Hi)
Chrysanthemum Viewing (at various temples and shrines)

NOVEMBER
Culture Day (Bunka no Hi)
Three-Five-Seven Day (for children) (Shichi-Go-San)
Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha no Hi)

DECEMBER
Gishi-sai