Friday, May 15, 2009

お祭り(o matsuri): Festivals

There are many festivals in Japan. Some are world-wide famous, others are only known to the local people.
In Kyoto there are three big festivals called Kyoto sandai matsuri(京都三大祭). They are Aoi Matsuri(葵祭), Aoi Festival on May 15, Gion Matsuri(祇園祭), Gion Festival through July, and Jidai Matsuri(時代祭), Jidai Festival in middle to late October.
In Tokyo there are also three great Shinto festivals. They are called Edo sandai matsuri(江戸三大祭). They are Kanda Matsuri(神田祭), Kanda Festival around May 15, Sanno Matsuri(山王祭), Sanno Festival on June 15, Fukagawa Matsuri(深川祭), Fukagawa Festival around August 15.
Today there was another famous festival called Sanja Matsuri(三社祭), literally Three Shrine Festival at Asakusa Jinja(浅草神社), Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo. This is held on the third weekend of every May. This attracts 1.5 to 2 million locals and tourists every year.

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