Let’s Learn About Japanese Festivals! Traditional Events and Culture
Hello! Have you ever experienced a Japanese festival? Japan has many fun and exciting festivals to enjoy.
This time, Eri-san, a staff member of JPLT Online Japanese Language School, will introduce some Japanese festivals. Along with learning about festivals, I’ll also share some tips for studying Japanese!
What are Japanese Festivals?
Japanese festivals vary by region, and each offers something unique. Not only are they fun, but they are also important events that allow you to learn about Japan’s culture and history.
Festivals have the following features:
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Connection with Gods: Many festivals are held to express gratitude or make wishes to gods. People gather together to honor the gods.
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Seasonal Changes: Festivals are held in each season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. You can experience the changes of the seasons through festivals, like celebrating cherry blossoms in spring or harvesting in autumn.
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Regional Traditions: Every region in Japan has its own unique festivals. These festivals reflect the local culture.
Fun Features of Japanese Festivals
There are many exciting aspects of Japanese festivals, such as:
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Mikoshi: People carry a small shrine, the mikoshi, which represents the god, as they walk through the streets.
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Dashi: Some festivals feature large, beautifully decorated floats called dashi.
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Dancing: At festivals, everyone can join in and dance together.
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Food Stalls (Yatai): Festivals have many food stalls where you can enjoy delicious treats.
Simple Japanese Phrases for Festivals
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「祭りに行きたいです。」(I want to go to a festival.)
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「この神輿は重いです。」(This mikoshi is heavy.)
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「屋台で何を食べようかな？」(What should I eat at the food stall?)
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「この踊りは綺麗ですね。」(The dance is beautiful.)
How to Learn Japanese Through Festivals
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Participate in a Festival: Go to a festival and enjoy the atmosphere. You’ll learn many words through what you see and hear.
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Talk to Locals: Ask the locals about the festival. It’s a great opportunity to learn new words.
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Take Photos: After the festival, try talking or writing about the photos you took in Japanese.
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Write a Diary in Japanese: Write about your experience at the festival in a Japanese diary. Writing helps you learn new words.
Summary
Japanese festivals are not just about having fun—they’re a great opportunity to learn Japanese while experiencing Japan’s history and culture. Festivals often involve connections with gods, the changing of seasons, and regional traditions.
By understanding these aspects, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Japanese society and the lives of its people. At the festival, you’ll also encounter words you don’t often use in everyday life, such as mikoshi, dashi, and yatai, which will help expand your vocabulary.
Engaging in conversations with locals at the festival is a wonderful chance to practice natural Japanese. Additionally, taking photos at the festival and writing about your experience in a diary helps reinforce what you’ve learned, making it easier to remember. Learning through festivals can make your Japanese study more enjoyable and motivate you to keep learning. Even beginners can naturally become familiar with Japanese by immersing themselves in the festival atmosphere.
Enjoy Japan’s seasonal festivals and use Japanese as much as possible! The words and experiences you gather from participating in festivals will become valuable assets in your Japanese learning journey.
