Spring Festivals

Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Matsuri)

The most famous festival during spring season is the Cherry Blossom Festival that is celebrated throughout Japan and may start as early as January and end sometime in June. It is during spring that cherry blossoms grow in abundance all over the country. Families and friends most often get together to have lunch under the colorful branches of the cherry tree. Following old Japanese tradition, most women who participate in the Cherry Blossom Festival still wear kimonos.

Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri)

Another known festival during spring is the Hina Matsuri or the Doll Festival which is held annually on March 3. This festival is also called the Girl’s Festival mainly because it is during this time when parents pray for their daughter’s health, growth and good fortune. Ceremonial dolls, such as those that represent the emperor and empress, the prince, some court musicians, a couple of ministers and some kanjo or court ladies, dressed in their appropriate kimonos are arranged in multi-tiered shelves and are kept on display for a certain number of days.