Japan Festivals - November

November Japan Festivals １１月の祭り

Old Book Market

End of October - November 3

Chionji Temple, Kyoto

Chionji Temple, located near Hyakumanben and Kyoto University, the Kyoto Old Book Association puts on this fair where over 200,000 volumes are displayed and sold.

Special Autumn Opening of Kyoto Imperial Palace

October 30 - November 3

Gosho, Kyoto

During this period visitors can enter the Imperial Palace in Kyoto (Gosho) without the need for pre-application.

Inoko Festival

November 1

Go-o Shrine, Kyoto

Located on the west side of Gosho, Go-o Shrine holds a special ritual when Inoko-mochi rice cakes are served from 5pm.

Gion Odori

November 1-10

Gion Kaikan, Kyoto

Performances of maiko and geisha dances at Gion Kaikan at 1.30pm and 4pm.

Karatsu Kunchi

November 2-4

Karatsu, Saga Prefecture

Famous in Japan for its hikiyama floats. These are carried on the shoulder like ordinary mikoshi (i.e. floats) but are topped with outlandishly decorated fish, lions, samurai helmets and other paraphernalia. They lead a boisterous, sake-fuelled parade around the castle town of Karatsu. Karatsu is on the western coast of Kyushu, south of Fukuoka.

Shichi Go San Festival

Ohara Festival

November 2-3

Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture

At this, the largest autumn festival in Southern Kyushu, you will be treated to a street parade of no less than 22,000 dancers. Attracts crowds of over 600,000.

Betchya Festival

November 3

Kibitsu-hiko Shrine, Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture

Men wearing striking masks or dressed as lions, run around the crowded streets of Onomichi looking for children to 'thrash' with bamboo whisks. Legend has it that children 'beaten' in this way will be safe from illness for the coming year.

Awa Puppet Theatre

November 3

Kisawa, Tokushima Prefecture

Though still an amateur art after, the rural puppet drama of the Awa region is just as famous in Japan as the bunraku puppet drama of Osaka. At this annual event, classic plays are performed on an outdoor stage.

Tengu at Tsunozu Festival, Shimane

Tsunozu Festival, Shimane

Harvest Festival

November 3

Otoshi Shrine, Tsunozu, Shimane

Following an all-night performance of kagura sacred dances, a harvest festival with mikoshi, Chinese lions (shi-shi) and taiko drums led by costumed tengu forest goblin.

Shitenno-ji Wasso

November 3

Shitenno-ji Temple, Osaka

A parade of thousands of people dressed as heroes and historical figures takes to the streets of Osaka. Colourful boat-shaped floats join the procession and add to the magnificent spectacle.

Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu

November 3

Hakone-machi, Kanagawa

A parade of 150 in full period-dress in Hakone recreating the crossings that the daimyo (feudal lords) had to make in order to present themselves to the Shogun during the Edo-period (1603-1867).

Kyokusui-no-En

November 3

Jonan-gu Shrine, Kyoto

Participants dressed as Heian nobles recreate an ancient practice of sailing sake cups on the stream in the shrine while the recipient composes a 31-syllable poem, known as Kyokusui no Utage.

Ohitaki Festival

November 8

Fushimi Inari Shrine, Fushimi, Kyoto

Harvest thanks-giving festival when around 100,00 wooden prayer sticks are burnt to pray for family prosperity from 1pm. From 6pm kagura dances are performed.

Ohitaki Festival

November 7

Kifune Shrine, Kibune, Kyoto

Sacred fire ritual to exorcise evil spirits held from 11am. Take an Eizan train from Demachiyanagi Station to Kibune-guchi.

Fire God Festival

November 11

Kirishima Jinja Shrine, Takachiho-gawara Furumiyaato, Kagoshima Prefecture

Kagura dances, thundering taiko drums and bonfires celebrating the time when the gods landed on the earth at a site nearby.

Kirishima Guide

Sukagawa Taimatsu

Mid. November

Sukagawa, Fukushima

Fire festival anticipating the coming of winter. 30 massive torches, each 10m tall and 3 tons in weight, are lit and paraded to the rhythms of taiko drums.

Momiji Festival

Mid November

Arashiyama, Kyoto

The festival recreates the atmosphere of the Heian court when the Emperor and his court leisurely cruised the Oi River in Arashiyama in Kyoto. Five period-decorated boats filled with people in Heian costume, playing traditional instruments and reciting noh and kyogen begin the water parade followed by a larger flotilla of similar vessels. Good views from Togetsukyo Bridge.

Shichi-Go-San Festival

15 November

Nationwide

Three, five and seven year-old children in their finest kimono are taken by their parents to shrines to pray for the children's future health and good fortune.

Shichi-Go-San Festival

7-5-3 (Shichi-Go-San) children parade in their finery

Ebisu-san Matsuri

November 18-20

Ebisu Shrine, Hiroshima City

Festival dedicated to Ebisu-san, the god of commerce, held, appropriately, at a shrine behind the Mitsukoshi and Tenmaya department stores. Many shops take part by selling bargain goods, and street-stalls appear all over the area.

Hadakambo Festival

November 23

Hofu Tenman-gu Shrine, Hofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture

One of the most famous 'naked' festivals in Southern Japan. Men dressed only in loincloths brave the cold to carry mikoshi (floats) through the streets of Hofu in Yamaguchi to the Tenman-gu Shrine.

Asakusa Tori no Ichi

Late November

Chokokuji Temple and its annex, Otori Shrine, Asakusa, Tokyo

A festival that happens on the Day of Rooster in November, featuring gaudy, intricate kumade ("bear's paw") bouquet-like decorations comprising artificial flowers, tiny masks, rope, wooden plaques, and other accessories. People who go buy a new kumade, pray for business success in the New Year, and leave last year's kumade at the temple.

DISCLAIMER Festivals may be cancelled or postponed without much warning. Check with your local tourist office for confirmation.

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