The Tourist Information Center of Japan National Tourism Organization has compiled a list of festivals throughout Japan for the month of March. The list provides details on which festivals went ahead, are scheduled or were cancelled.
Please note that dates, times and functions are subject to change without notice. In particular, the schedule of outdoor events and flower festivals may change due to the weather. Be sure to check the latest information in advance.
We've highlighted a few festivals below that may be of interest:
Atami Baien Ume Matsuri
Where: Atami Baien Garden, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture
When: 9 January through to 7 March
Summary: Also known as the Japanese Apricot Festival. There are about 470 Japanese apricot trees and 60 different varieties of apricots in the garden - most begin to bloom from the middle of
January. Admission is 300JPY.
Yakushiji Shuni-e Hana-e-shiki
Where: Yakushi-ji Temple, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
When: 25 March through to 31 March
Summary: Also known as the Flower Offering Ceremony. This festival symbolizes the arrival of spring, and is to pray for a prosperous world. The interior of the temple's main hall is lavishly decorated with a variety of different flowers. Admission is 1,100 JPY.
Kyoto Antique Fair
Where: KYOTO PULSE PLAZA, Fushimi ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
When: 26 March through to 28 March
Summary: A large-scale antique fair where over 300 dealers gather from around Japan. Admission is free.
Yanagawa Hina Matsuri Sagemon Meguri (picture above)
Where: Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
When: 11 February through to 3 April
Summary: Girl's Festival. Sagemon are handsewn ornaments which are displayed all over the city for this festival. When a baby girl is born, her mother, grandmothers and other relatives sew Sagemon stitch by stitch in the hope that the baby will grow up healthy, and hang them on both sides of Hina doll displays to celebrate her first Girl's Festival. This festival also features a parade of elaborately dressed girls and women in boats sailing through the canals decorated with Sagemon. Many other events are scheduled during the festival period.
Yudate-no-Shishi-mai (pictured below)
Where: Suwa-jinja Shrine, Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture
When: 27 March
Summary: Also known as the Lion Dance. In one of the Shishi-mai lion dances, Kama-Meguri-no-mai, the performers splash hot water on spectators with bamboo leaves. It is said that people who get splashed will have good health throughout the year.
