Summer Festivals in Japan are known as Matsuri (祭り)and while there are festivals throughout the year, July to September is Festival Peak season! So if you want to check out these amazing events, Summer is definitely the perfect season to do so.
What to wear
There really isn’t anything you should or shouldn’t wear, but Summers in Japan are hot and humid, so if you don’t want to feel like you are melting into the ground below you, I would suggest wearing something light, airy and made of cotton!
The locals wear a mixture of modern and traditional clothes, so if you want to try wearing something traditional, this is your excuse chance!
Women’s clothing
Casual tops and bottoms, dresses and traditional Yukata (Summer version of the well known Kimono) are common. They are light and made of cotton, and usually cost about 3,000 yen to 10,000 yen.
Men’s clothing
Men tend to wear the usual jeans, pants or knee-length shorts and a t-shirt, though once in a while you might see a guy with either a Jinbe or Yukata on, and they usually also have a pair of Geta on their feet.
Bring a hat or umbrella , and wear sunscreen….seriously! The summer sun will make you burnt and crispy if you’re not careful. Sunglasses aren’t really as commonly seen as in other countries, but that shouldn’t stop you. I highly recommend them, as squinting for 30 min or more is far from comfortable.
A small hand towel can also be useful. It just makes things so much easier. Wipe away perspiration? Check ✔ Want to keep you clothes clean if you sit on the ground at some point? Check ✔
Some performances are done in one spot, like a stage or part of a blocked off road, so people gather around and the ones in front sit down so the others at the back can see. For other performances like parades, you might decide to sit by the side of the road whilst waiting for the performers to pass by.
If you are going to a fireworks festival, you might even end up sitting on the grass, so yup, that small hand towel can definitely come in handy.
An Uchiwa fan is also always a welcome addition, and if you are wearing a yukata, you can even stick it into the back of your Obi (belt) to complete the look.
Oh, and wet tissues are great as well! With all the food and sweet drinks around, a wet tissue for those sticky hands can be a simple, but welcome item.
What to eat
There is a lot of street food at festivals. You will find everything from Yakisoba (fried noodles) to Grilled Scallops on a stick, to Corn on the Cob, among other things. The smells that waft and mingle can turn one into a hunter….hunting for the source of that delicious aroma in the air.
As a general rule in Japan, people do not eat and walk at the same time, but at festivals, this unspoken rule does not apply. No one will bat an eyelid so eat, drink and be merry!
Money
If you are buying stuff from the convenience stores, you can use the usual payment methods but to purchase from the festival stalls, have coins and 1000yen notes available as they only accept cash, and only small denominations.
Taking photos and videos
Taking photos and videos at festivals are a great way to preserve moments and memories, but beware of a few social faux pas. The huge crowds can make it very difficult to get good shots of the performances, and if you are trying to take a video, you might suddenly realize that the quickest solution to this is to raise your phone or camera above your head. But don’t do it! Like seriously…don’t.
People in the front sit down so the others at the back can see, and unless you are standing right at the back, there are sure to be people behind you as well. Raising your phone or camera that high can mean that someone else cannot see the performance clearly. If you absolutely have to take that video, try to limit the height of your device to around your head level, not way above it; the people behind you will definitely appreciate it.
Alright, but what if it’s way above your head you ask? Selfie sticks for instance? The short answer is no. Selfie sticks still allow the holder to position the device at a height that would block other people’s view.
Leaving
Whether the festival is held at a shrine, along a closed-off road, or along a river, you will most likely end up heading to the closest station after that to get home. Of course it depends on the festival you are at, but as a general rule, popular festivals get really crowded, so it can be almost impossible to get to the station quickly. One of those “so near yet so far” type of things. So consider yourself warned! You may need to literally shuffle all the way there, so if you need the bathroom, go before attempting to get to the station, and if you need to be somewhere after that, give yourself enough time.
Final thoughts
Japanese Summer Festivals are amazing and I look forward to them every year. The smells, the sights, the sounds… you just have to experience it for yourself to understand how intoxicating the atmosphere can be. I hope this helps you feel more comfortable and enjoy the festivals just that bit more!
Let me know what you like about Summer festivals in Japan (夏祭り)!
Photo credit: Hand vector created by pikisuperstar – www.freepik.com