About This Page
日本には旧暦にちなんだ様々な祝いや行事が行われている。祝い方は各地や家庭によって様々であるが、そこには変わらないものや、また共通することも。このページでは、日本で今も行われている様々な年中行事と、それぞれの行事にゆかりの深い食べ物、お菓子や謌などを紹介します。
There are various celebrations and rituals that follow the lunar calendar in Japan. Variation are seen depending on the area or the family, however, there are also things that are in common. In this page, we will introduce annual celebrations that are still being celebrated, along with traditional foods or sweets and songs that are deeply related to that holiday.
Books on Japanese Celebrations
Illustrated Festivals of Japan (Japan in Your Pocket Series) by ISBN: 453300489XPublication Date: 1987Book 4 of the series, "Japan in Your Pocket." Highlights many of the major festivals that are celebrated in Japan with witty comic illustrations.
Japanese Celebrations by ISBN: 0804836582Publication Date: 2006Illustrated children's books with brief explanations of the holiday along with some activities such as origami and other crafts to interact with. Written in hiragana, romanji and English.
Japanese Traditions by ISBN: 4805310898Publication Date: 2010Illustrated picture book about Japanese traditions, celebrations, language and history from cat characters' point-of-view.
Japanese Celebrations: Cherry Blossoms, Festivals and Flying Carp (Sing and Learn) (English and Japanese Edition) by ISBN: 1604800267Publication Date: 2009This illustrated song book includes 22 songs that are sung during a Japanese celebration. Written in katakana, romanji and English.
I Live in Tokyo by ISBN: 0618494847Publication Date: 2004Follow a year of fun with Mimiko, a seven-year-old girl living in Tokyo. The book includes celebrations, foods, wagashi and more.
Books on Wagashi
Wagashi by ISBN: 4894442884Publication Date: 2005This book offers descriptions of each of the wagashi, in the order of the calendar with pictures and illustrations.
Wagashi and More: A Collection of Simple Japanese Dessert Recipes by ISBN: 1482376369Publication Date: 2013A collection of simple wagashi recipes.- Wagashi and Waka (Japanese culture Book 8) by *This is only offered in Kindle version* All proceeds will be donated to the victims of the Eastern Japan Earthquake.
A collection of waka, 31-syllable poems, written between the 8th to the 13th century which are being compared to pictures of wagashi. - At Home Wagashi [Booklet] by *This is only offered in Kindle version*
A collection of recipes for simple wagashi for beginners. The cookbook includes recipes such as daifuku, dorayaki and mochi.
Links to January through May
- 1月 / JanuaryThe main celebration in January is Shogatsu (New Years). Click on the link to explore the enchanting traditions of Japanese New Years.
- 1月 / January (part 2)Another big holiday in January is Seiji no Hi. It is a celebration for people who turned 20 years old, marking the beginning of adulthood.
- 2月 / FebruaryFebruary is the month to celebrate holidays like Setsubun by throwing dried beans to ward off the bad spirits.
- 3月 / MarchHina Matsuri (Girl's Day) and Higan are holidays that are celebrated in the month of March.
- 4月 / AprilIn Japan, April is the month to go outside to enjoy hanami by gazing at the beautiful cherry blossoms, eating, drinking, and having fun!
- 5月 / MayMay 5th is celebrated in Tango no Sekku (Children's Day) with traditions of hanging koinobori (carp banners), displaying kabuto (war helmet) and yoroi (armors) to wish for the health of children.
- 7月 / JulyJuly is the month to celebrate holidays such as Tanabata. Tanabata is a combination of a Chinese holiday and a Japanese myth celebrating the annual meeting of the star-crossed lovers in the sky.
Links to July to December
- 8月 / AugustOn the month of August, the majority of the population celebrate Obon. Obon is a holiday to celebrate and honor the ancestor’s spirits.
- 9月 / SeptemberOn September 9th, people celebrate Chōyō or the Chrysanthemum Festival. The chrysanthemum is a symbol of the Imperial Palace and is also a symbol of longevity.
- 10月 / OctoberJūgoya is a holiday during October where people gazed at the beautiful full moon and appreciate the upcoming harvest.
- 11月 / NovemberIn November, people celebrate the harvesting of rice by worshipping the Young Boar spirit on the day, I no Hi (Boar's Day).
- 11月 / November (part 2)Another ritual during the month of November is Shichi-go-san or Seven-Five-Three Festival to celebrate the growth of a child turning to 7, 5 and 3 year old.
- 12月 / DecemberTōji (Winter Solstice) is celebrated in the month of December, and traditionally, people ate specific nutritious foods and took baths in citrus peels to warm the body and to wish for good heath.
- 12月 / December (part 2)Another big holiday during the month of December is New Year's eve or Omisoka. The day is filled with eating soba, listening to bells ring, cleaning and relaxing with your family.