T.G.I.F.: Chichibu Night Festival

December 2nd and 3rd is the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) in Saitama Prefecture. This festival is considered one of the top three mikoshi (float) festival next to Kyoto's Gion Festival and the Takayama Festival. The real treat comes on the 3rd day when the mikoshi, decorated elaborately with Japanese weapons and lanterns, transform into stages where kabuki is performed for onlookers. Click the image below for more details. Happy Friday!

T.G.I.F.: Sengen Shrine Annual Festival

Approximately 53 days left until Christmas! Yay! This weekend, the place to be is Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture for its biggest festival of the year; the Sengen Shrine Annual Festival. On the 3rd, 4th and 5th of November in the area around the Sengen Shrine you can experience the usual fare of a Japanese "matsuri" such as food stalls around the shrine and some "mikoshi" (big floats).

The main event is on the 4th (Sunday) where all the "dashi" (huge floats with "taiko" drummers) congregate toward the shrine to compete against each other.

And here's a hot tip: at the main information desk near the shrine, you can get a "masu" (small wooden box for drinking sake). When you buy it, they will give you a map of all the free sake tasting areas nearby. One tasting per customer however I hear that if you compliment their sake you might be able to squeeze a refill out of them!

Click the image below for more information...

T.G.I.F.: Aomori Nebuta Festival

From August 1st through 7th, the streets of Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture come alive with the infamous lantern floats of the annual Aomori Nebuta Festival...

These stunning floats depicting traditional Japanese characters, warriors and celestial beings are paraded through town and have made this festival one of the most popular events in Japan. Every year, this festival attracts more tourists than any other nebuta festival in Japan. This festival truly is mind-blowing to see and a definite must on anyone's travel itinerary if you are heading to Japan during the summer. If you are not going this year but  are thinking of going next year, it is important to book your hotels and other travel arrangements well in advance (at least a year) to confirm your attendance as I can't stress enough how exceedingly popular this event is. Participation in the festival as a float carrier is possible; contact the organizers for more details (click the image below)...

T.G.I.F.: Kumata Shrine Summer Festival

Osaka... the home of great food and great people. The weekend, Osaka is home to another interesting summer festival; the Kumata Shrine Summer Festival. This festival is the largest float festival in Osaka city and announces the coming of mid-summer. Of particular note is the parade of mikoshi (portable shrines) held on the 14th. Check it out! Click on the image below for more information...