festivals

300-year-old Japanese festival that curses all who see it permitted to be filmed for first time

I’m going to lend the video to someone within a week anyway… just in case.

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Shinto shrine naked festival ritual asks men to cover up for first time in three-century history

Loincloths at least, gentlemen, says shrine in change of policy in how to ask the gods for a good harvest and plenty of fish.

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Akutai Matsuri: Japan’s Verbal Abuse Festival, where insults and bad behaviour are encouraged

People in Japan are known for being polite, but not at this weird winter festival.

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The two best Tsukimi Moon-Viewing burgers in Japan for 2023

Find out which two chains are the ones to visit when the moon rises on this special festival day.

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Tokyo’s coolest open-air museum gets even cooler with hot summer nights event

Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum wants to take you back in time to an old-school summer festival.

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Rising Japan MusicFest returns to L.A. with loads of Japanese music, food, and drinks

For two days the sun rises in the west.

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The top 11 Japanese summer festivals, according to travellers

Mark your calendars for these spectacular festivals!

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Our street food-skipping reporter learns he’s been doing Japanese festivals wrong his whole life

He’s one of the few people in Japan who made it to adulthood without trying one of the country’s most popular festival foods.

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Japanese Penis Festival shrine distances itself from penis mascot

The one penis not welcome at Japan’s Kanamara Matsuri. 

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Nagasaki Lantern Festival is like Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away in real life

Local resident reveals the secret spots you won’t want to miss during this breathtaking festival. 

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Fights break out at Japanese fight festival

The first rule of fight festival is: No fighting!

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Tokyo’s world-famous Kappabashi restaurant supply street’s annual festival is going on right now

If you need just about any kind of cookware or tableware, you can find it here.

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Gigantic geyser erupts from Shinto shrine’s forest on the night before its summer festival【Video】

The way it looks, sounds, and smells all have people paying attention to this amazing display of the force of nature.

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Tokyo’s Nakano adds rock and disco to its annual summer bon dance【Videos】

The neighborhood that invented the Obon Jovi dance is back with a new set list of rock and disco hits.

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A first-time visit to Kyoto’s Gion Festival becomes a night to remember

There’s more to these giant Yamahoko floats than first meets the eye. 

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Host your very own Japanese summer festival with these DIY carnival game stands

Cool new kits let you enjoy the atmosphere of a Japanese summer festival without leaving your home.

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Studio Ghibli’s two most famous character masks come into the real world with mini o-men【Photos】

Ghibli Museum’s hand-crafted masks are here just in time for Japan’s summer festival season.

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Tokyo’s Imperial Palace to hold Floating Lantern Ceremony for first time in three years

The breathtaking event is back after being cancelled due to the pandemic.

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Japanese festival says thank you and goodbye to daruma good-luck dolls…with fire【Photos】

A dramatic send-off at a mountain temple.

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Japan’s leading maker of joke knives with retractable blades ends production

A blow to fans of consequence-free stabbing.

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