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Every month is one of celebration in Japan. Whether it is a seasonal or traditional celebration, you will be amazed at the parades, festivals, and pageantry. If you are visiting Japan, we strongly recommend you research the festivals that are happening during your stay.  Although not an exhaustive list, here are some festivals to consider in your trip planning for 2005-2006. 

February
In February, visitors may want to consider Sapporo for the annual snow festival. Some two million people from around the world come each year to see this 1972 Olympic Winter Games site transformed into a winter dreamland filled with elaborate ice sculptures in fantastic shapes and forms. In 2006, the Sapporo Snow Festival is from February 6 to 12, starting with an exciting snow sculpture competition and culminating in a farewell ceremony.

April (and October)
The Takayama festival is one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan and occurs twice a year - April and October. The festival transforms the town into one of festivity, filled with lanterns, flags, and decorative houses - all to signal the arrival of the new season. Highlighted by a parade of floats and even a puppet show, the 2005 festivals are sure to exceed expectations by linking the past, present, and future together for one celebratory event. The 2006 festival starts on April 14-15 and again on October 9-10.

May
May brings the Hakata Dontaku Matsuri festival, taking place May 3-4, 2006 in Fukuoka. Dating to the Muromachi period, this festival was started by townspeople and farmers as a New Year's greeting to their leader. Coinciding with Golden Week, this is one of the most highly traveled destinations in western Japan.

In addition, visitors should consider the Aoi festival, held in Kyoto on May 15. Emerging from the eighth century, it has become one of the most solemn festivals in Japan. The festival was named because carriages and paraders were decorated with hollyhock leaves (aoi). During the parade, several hundred people reenact the imperial court and other religious activities.

July
The month of July brings the Gion festival, which started in 869. It is a time when people in Kyoto celebrate the spirit of peace. Watched by visitors and others throughout Japan, this festival includes a parade through Kyoto.  The event runs July 1 through 31.

August
August brings a festive month to Japan, starting with the Aomori Nebuta festival, created to help celebrate purity and to dispel evil spirits. Residents celebrate by creating taro or wooden frame boats and placing them in the water to symbolize the purification of their soul and release all evil spirits. Constructing the boats has also become part of the tradition, as many local people are very involved in building these boats before the ceremony. The festival runs from August 2 until August 7.

Another highlight of August is the Kanto festival, which is used to ask the gods for a plentiful harvest. Celebrated using bamboo flutes, Shinto rituals, and spectator participation, the Kanto festival is one not to be missed. The festival runs August 3 through 6.

August also includes the Sendai Tanabata festival, or the star festival, beginning on August 6. This time is used to remember the ancestors and hope that they will be reunited soon. 

October
October's highlights include the Kunchi Matsuri Nagasaki festival and the Takayama festival. Running from October 7 to 9, the Kunchi Matsuri Nagasaki festival is filled with cultural and traditional events to celebrate folk customs from the past. Dancing and lion dances are also featured.

The Takayama festival follows, running from October 9-10, and signifying the return of the autumn season. The April festival in the same location welcomes spring.

November
November includes the Daimyo-Gyoretsu festival of Hakone, which begins on November 3. A parade is held to honor the procession of feudal lords on their trip to Edo, the old capital city.

This is a brief overview of the many wonderful festivals that are a fascinating part of the Japanese culture. To learn more about the wonders of Japan, with details of all these events and a wealth of travel information, including money-saving air-hotel packages, please visit www.Japantravelinfo.com.

They will welcome your inquiries, just as you will be warmly welcomed in Japan.