Japan Festivals

Matsuri, is the Japanese word for festival or holiday. Usually, there is a celebration during the rice harvest season, that could be Spring and Fall.  At one point, various places in the world will celebrate it as the Japan Festival, and it is always a fun way to get together, enjoy the Japanese culture, food tasting, music, and so forth.

Matsuri are celebrations throughout the year as well. They could be tied with the different shrines in Japan and also various regions.  There is the Sapporo Snow Festival (Hokkaido) in February, Nango Summer Jazz Festival where artists gather to perform.  My favorite is the Cherry Blossom Festival, which is celebrated throughout the entire season in all the regions of Japan.  There is food stalls in different locations, lanterns, dancing, admiration of beautiful cherry blossoms everywhere.

Even though we might not be residing in Japan to experience these festivities, we can still participate through local Japanese organizations in all parts of the world.

When I was in Chicago, me and my family and friends will go to the convention center during the Japan Festival.  There are performances on traditional Japanese dance, great food to taste, sake, anime, pop music performance, samurai sword talks, painting, bonsai classes, book stores, how to wear a kimono, flower arrangement art, so much fun!

I will highly recommend checking in to local Japanese organizations and sign up for some of the events just to experience it.  It will be memorable!

Want to paint the Sakura blossoms?  Join us at iloveboci.com.
Sakura, beautiful cherry blossom, marking the start of Spring is mesmerizing to watch.  They usually bloom around the end of March and early April, and much later in the northern part of Hokkaido.  Let's capture this beautiful scenery on canvas together. We will paint the cherry blossom in the city lights of Tokyo along the Meguro River! 

Also, local places to visit, Mitsuwa has a brand new store in Dallas, check it out!  Visit Japan America Society - jasdfw.org, Dallas Japanese Association - godja.org, and other local organizations for their running events.

Have a happy celebration!