Japan
Living in Japan, region by region: guides to all 47 prefectures, visa information, daily news and local cost-of-living data — turning “life in Japan” into questions you can actually look up.
All 47 prefectures
The map above and the links below point to the same set of pages. Every prefecture has its own guide covering an overview of the area, climate, the size of its economy, key industries, local specialities, transport and a sense of living costs — together with local government offices, useful websites, landmarks, and the companies and language schools based there. If you are looking for work or a school by region, or estimating what living there costs, this is the fastest way in.
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Festivals across Japan this month
Marimo Festival📍 Lake Akan Onsen (around the Akanko Ainu Kotan area)Established in 1950 (Showa 25) to protect the nationally designated special natural monument "marimo of Lake Akan" by returning it to the lake. Ainu people from across Hokkaido gather to perform the traditional "kamuynomi" ritual. Highlights include a torchlight procession and a joint performance of classical dances.Obihiro Chrysanthemum Festival📍 Tokachi Plaza (Obihiro Nishi 4-jo Minami 13-chome 1)An autumn festival held at Tokachi Plaza for viewing colorful chrysanthemums, featuring a themed flower bed and a chrysanthemum exhibition. The venue is right by the south exit of JR Obihiro Station, and admission is free.Date Agriculture, Fishery and Products Festival📍 Date Rekishi-no-Mori Park lawn plaza special venueAn autumn festival showcasing local Date-grown vegetables and fresh seafood from Funka Bay, held at the lawn plaza venue of Date Rekishi-no-Mori Park. The perennially popular salmon-catching experience is also held there.Tomamin Tomakomai Centennial Fireworks📍 Tomakomai CityA fireworks display once held as part of the "Tomakomai Minato Matsuri" (in August); it has since been separated from the port festival's schedule and is now held in October.Itabashi Ward Citizens' Festival📍 The road in front of and around Itabashi Green Hall (Sakaecho 36 and vicinity, Itabashi City)Held on the road in front of and around Itabashi Green Hall, this is a festival where residents, businesses, and community groups come together. It features stage programs such as an opening parade, Awa Odori dance, and citizens' dance, along with many merchandise stalls.Nerima Matsuri📍 Around the north exit of Nerima Station and Maronie-dori street (Minamimachi Elementary School, Kaishin Daini Junior High School, Nerima General Athletic Park, and other locations)The Nerima Matsuri is the largest event in Nerima City. Its origins trace back to 1978 (Showa 53), when the first festival was held as the "Nerima Ward Citizens' Festival" on the former Kanebo factory site north of Nerima Station. Since the 45th edition, it has been held around the north exit of Nerima Station and Maronie-dori street, featuring food and merchandise stalls and performances such as dance and music on a special stage.
Nihonbashi Ebisuko Bettara-ichi📍 Around Takarada Ebisu Shrine (Nihonbashi-Odenmacho and Nihonbashi-Honcho area)A traditional street fair with roots in the Edo period, held around Takarada Ebisu Shrine and spreading through Horidome-cho, Nihonbashi-Honcho 3-chome, and Nihonbashi-Odenmacho. About 400-500 stalls, including those selling the local specialty bettara-zuke (sweet pickled daikon), line the Odenmacho area, making it an autumn tradition of Nihonbashi.Oeshiki📍 Ikegami Honmonji TempleOeshiki is a memorial service commemorating the death anniversary of Nichiren Shonin. Among Nichiren-sect temples nationwide, the Oeshiki held at Ikegami Honmonji, the sacred site where Nichiren passed away, is the grandest of all. On the night of the 12th, roughly a hundred-odd mando lanterns carried by devotional groups (ko) from across the country parade through the streets of Ikegami late into the night, in a procession known as the Mando Nerikuyo.Adachi Kite Festival📍 Rainbow Plaza (Niji no Hiroba), on the Arakawa riverbedAn event held every year by the Adachi Kite Festival Executive Committee to promote traditional Japanese kites (wadako) and support the wholesome development of young people. Elementary school children from the city fly kites they made together with their families during summer vacation, in the sky above the Rainbow Plaza on the Arakawa riverbed.
Meguro Sanma Matsuri📍 1-25-8 Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, and other locationsOne of the centerpiece events of the Meguro Kumin Matsuri, one of Meguro's largest festivals, known as the "Meguro Sanma Matsuri" for grilling sanma (Pacific saury) sent from Meguro's sister city, Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, over charcoal and serving them to visitors. The grilled sanma is served with kabosu citrus from Oita Prefecture and given out free of charge (advance application required).
Tokyo Yosakoi📍 Seven venues across Toshima including the Ikebukuro West Exit Station Plaza and Ikebukuro West Exit ParkHeld every October as the culmination of Toshima's citizens' festival, Fukuro Matsuri, this is one of the largest yosakoi dance contests in Tokyo, taking place at seven venues across the ward centered on the area around Ikebukuro Station, with over 100 participating teams. Top yosakoi teams from around the country take part, performing in a variety of styles.
Kanda Used Book Festival📍 Kanda Jimbocho used bookstore district (along Yasukuni-dori)A used-book market organized by the Kanda Antiquarian Booksellers Federation and co-hosted by Chiyoda City, in which about 120 secondhand bookshops line Yasukuni-dori in Jimbocho, said to be one of the world's largest gatherings of used bookstores.
Omagari Hanabi — Autumn Chapter📍 Omagari Hanabi Park (Omono River bank)Omagari Hanabi — Autumn Chapter is a fireworks art festival in which local pyrotechnicians present experimental, avant-garde fireworks fitting the birthplace of 'creative fireworks,' held at Omagari Hanabi Park along the Omono River in Omagari, Daisen City. Each edition has a different theme, and the clear autumn air of Tohoku is said to bring out the true beauty of the fireworks.Kamaishi Matsuri📍 Central Kamaishi and Kamaishi HarborThe long-standing festival of Ozaki Shrine and that of Yama Shrine, guardian shrine of the Kamaishi Steel Works, were combined starting in 1967 to become the "Kamaishi Matsuri." On the middle day, a "boat-towing festival" carries the sacred body from Ozaki Shrine's main sanctuary on the Ozaki Peninsula by boat to the town's satellite shrine, with more than a dozen boats carrying tiger dances and sacred music parading through Kamaishi Harbor flying celebratory fishing flags. On the final day, tiger dances, sacred music, floats, and deer dances accompany the two shrines' portable shrines in procession through the city's main streets.Rikuzentakata Industry Festival📍 Around Abasse TakataAn event bringing together the fisheries, agriculture, forestry, and commerce sectors to sell local specialty products and stage performances, with mochi-tossing and food stalls also set up.Senmaya Yoichi (Senmaya Night Market)📍 Shinmachi and Honmachi shopping streets, Senmaya, IchinosekiA night market held by closing the Shinmachi and Honmachi shopping streets in Senmaya to vehicle traffic. It originated as an event started in the Atago district on the east side of the shopping area, and later grew to its current scale after Shinmachi, Honmachi, and Yokkamachi joined in. Each month features a different themed program, drawing crowds of all ages.Kuji Regional Industry Festival📍 Kuji Bunka Kaikan Amber HallA two-day event bringing together creative programs from industries across the Kuji region, from commerce and manufacturing to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, with stalls selling local specialty goods, crafts, and food lining the venue.Higashimatsushima Autumn Festival📍 Around the Higashimatsushima Chamber of Commerce and IndustryThis festival, formerly held in summer as the 'Higashimatsushima Summer Festival,' was renamed and is now held in October around the Higashimatsushima Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Oni-Kojuro Festival📍 Shiroishi CastleA festival reenacting the fierce battle between Shigenaga Katakura, known as 'Oni-Kojuro' for his exploits in the Siege of Osaka, and the warlord Yukimura Sanada. About 120 performers, including publicly recruited armored warriors, ninja, archers, and matchlock gunners, act out the battle.Shito Tagajo Manyo Festival📍 Plaza in front of JR Senseki Line Tagajo StationThis festival takes as its theme a tradition that Otomo no Yakamochi, a central figure in the compilation of the Manyoshu, came to Tagajo late in life and died there. Organized by local residents to recreate the romance of his era, it is best known for its procession of participants wearing hand-made "Manyo costumes" based on research into Heian-period clothing.Kesennuma Industry Festival📍 Kesennuma Fish MarketA local products fair held at the Kesennuma fish market, bringing together seafood and specialty goods from the area, with tours of the market facility also offered.Osorezan Autumn Pilgrimage📍 Osorezan (Bodaiji Temple)The Osorezan Autumn Pilgrimage is a period in autumn when worshippers visit the sacred site of Osorezan, and together with the summer Grand Festival, it is one of the times of year when the most pilgrims come to the mountain.Marimo Festival📍 Lake Akan Onsen (around the Akanko Ainu Kotan area)Established in 1950 (Showa 25) to protect the nationally designated special natural monument "marimo of Lake Akan" by returning it to the lake. Ainu people from across Hokkaido gather to perform the traditional "kamuynomi" ritual. Highlights include a torchlight procession and a joint performance of classical dances.Obihiro Chrysanthemum Festival📍 Tokachi Plaza (Obihiro Nishi 4-jo Minami 13-chome 1)An autumn festival held at Tokachi Plaza for viewing colorful chrysanthemums, featuring a themed flower bed and a chrysanthemum exhibition. The venue is right by the south exit of JR Obihiro Station, and admission is free.Date Agriculture, Fishery and Products Festival📍 Date Rekishi-no-Mori Park lawn plaza special venueAn autumn festival showcasing local Date-grown vegetables and fresh seafood from Funka Bay, held at the lawn plaza venue of Date Rekishi-no-Mori Park. The perennially popular salmon-catching experience is also held there.Tomamin Tomakomai Centennial Fireworks📍 Tomakomai CityA fireworks display once held as part of the "Tomakomai Minato Matsuri" (in August); it has since been separated from the port festival's schedule and is now held in October.Itabashi Ward Citizens' Festival📍 The road in front of and around Itabashi Green Hall (Sakaecho 36 and vicinity, Itabashi City)Held on the road in front of and around Itabashi Green Hall, this is a festival where residents, businesses, and community groups come together. It features stage programs such as an opening parade, Awa Odori dance, and citizens' dance, along with many merchandise stalls.Nerima Matsuri📍 Around the north exit of Nerima Station and Maronie-dori street (Minamimachi Elementary School, Kaishin Daini Junior High School, Nerima General Athletic Park, and other locations)The Nerima Matsuri is the largest event in Nerima City. Its origins trace back to 1978 (Showa 53), when the first festival was held as the "Nerima Ward Citizens' Festival" on the former Kanebo factory site north of Nerima Station. Since the 45th edition, it has been held around the north exit of Nerima Station and Maronie-dori street, featuring food and merchandise stalls and performances such as dance and music on a special stage.Nihonbashi Ebisuko Bettara-ichi📍 Around Takarada Ebisu Shrine (Nihonbashi-Odenmacho and Nihonbashi-Honcho area)A traditional street fair with roots in the Edo period, held around Takarada Ebisu Shrine and spreading through Horidome-cho, Nihonbashi-Honcho 3-chome, and Nihonbashi-Odenmacho. About 400-500 stalls, including those selling the local specialty bettara-zuke (sweet pickled daikon), line the Odenmacho area, making it an autumn tradition of Nihonbashi.Oeshiki📍 Ikegami Honmonji TempleOeshiki is a memorial service commemorating the death anniversary of Nichiren Shonin. Among Nichiren-sect temples nationwide, the Oeshiki held at Ikegami Honmonji, the sacred site where Nichiren passed away, is the grandest of all. On the night of the 12th, roughly a hundred-odd mando lanterns carried by devotional groups (ko) from across the country parade through the streets of Ikegami late into the night, in a procession known as the Mando Nerikuyo.Adachi Kite Festival📍 Rainbow Plaza (Niji no Hiroba), on the Arakawa riverbedAn event held every year by the Adachi Kite Festival Executive Committee to promote traditional Japanese kites (wadako) and support the wholesome development of young people. Elementary school children from the city fly kites they made together with their families during summer vacation, in the sky above the Rainbow Plaza on the Arakawa riverbed.Meguro Sanma Matsuri📍 1-25-8 Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, and other locationsOne of the centerpiece events of the Meguro Kumin Matsuri, one of Meguro's largest festivals, known as the "Meguro Sanma Matsuri" for grilling sanma (Pacific saury) sent from Meguro's sister city, Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, over charcoal and serving them to visitors. The grilled sanma is served with kabosu citrus from Oita Prefecture and given out free of charge (advance application required).Tokyo Yosakoi📍 Seven venues across Toshima including the Ikebukuro West Exit Station Plaza and Ikebukuro West Exit ParkHeld every October as the culmination of Toshima's citizens' festival, Fukuro Matsuri, this is one of the largest yosakoi dance contests in Tokyo, taking place at seven venues across the ward centered on the area around Ikebukuro Station, with over 100 participating teams. Top yosakoi teams from around the country take part, performing in a variety of styles.Kanda Used Book Festival📍 Kanda Jimbocho used bookstore district (along Yasukuni-dori)A used-book market organized by the Kanda Antiquarian Booksellers Federation and co-hosted by Chiyoda City, in which about 120 secondhand bookshops line Yasukuni-dori in Jimbocho, said to be one of the world's largest gatherings of used bookstores.Omagari Hanabi — Autumn Chapter📍 Omagari Hanabi Park (Omono River bank)Omagari Hanabi — Autumn Chapter is a fireworks art festival in which local pyrotechnicians present experimental, avant-garde fireworks fitting the birthplace of 'creative fireworks,' held at Omagari Hanabi Park along the Omono River in Omagari, Daisen City. Each edition has a different theme, and the clear autumn air of Tohoku is said to bring out the true beauty of the fireworks.Kamaishi Matsuri📍 Central Kamaishi and Kamaishi HarborThe long-standing festival of Ozaki Shrine and that of Yama Shrine, guardian shrine of the Kamaishi Steel Works, were combined starting in 1967 to become the "Kamaishi Matsuri." On the middle day, a "boat-towing festival" carries the sacred body from Ozaki Shrine's main sanctuary on the Ozaki Peninsula by boat to the town's satellite shrine, with more than a dozen boats carrying tiger dances and sacred music parading through Kamaishi Harbor flying celebratory fishing flags. On the final day, tiger dances, sacred music, floats, and deer dances accompany the two shrines' portable shrines in procession through the city's main streets.Rikuzentakata Industry Festival📍 Around Abasse TakataAn event bringing together the fisheries, agriculture, forestry, and commerce sectors to sell local specialty products and stage performances, with mochi-tossing and food stalls also set up.Senmaya Yoichi (Senmaya Night Market)📍 Shinmachi and Honmachi shopping streets, Senmaya, IchinosekiA night market held by closing the Shinmachi and Honmachi shopping streets in Senmaya to vehicle traffic. It originated as an event started in the Atago district on the east side of the shopping area, and later grew to its current scale after Shinmachi, Honmachi, and Yokkamachi joined in. Each month features a different themed program, drawing crowds of all ages.Kuji Regional Industry Festival📍 Kuji Bunka Kaikan Amber HallA two-day event bringing together creative programs from industries across the Kuji region, from commerce and manufacturing to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, with stalls selling local specialty goods, crafts, and food lining the venue.Higashimatsushima Autumn Festival📍 Around the Higashimatsushima Chamber of Commerce and IndustryThis festival, formerly held in summer as the 'Higashimatsushima Summer Festival,' was renamed and is now held in October around the Higashimatsushima Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Oni-Kojuro Festival📍 Shiroishi CastleA festival reenacting the fierce battle between Shigenaga Katakura, known as 'Oni-Kojuro' for his exploits in the Siege of Osaka, and the warlord Yukimura Sanada. About 120 performers, including publicly recruited armored warriors, ninja, archers, and matchlock gunners, act out the battle.Shito Tagajo Manyo Festival📍 Plaza in front of JR Senseki Line Tagajo StationThis festival takes as its theme a tradition that Otomo no Yakamochi, a central figure in the compilation of the Manyoshu, came to Tagajo late in life and died there. Organized by local residents to recreate the romance of his era, it is best known for its procession of participants wearing hand-made "Manyo costumes" based on research into Heian-period clothing.Kesennuma Industry Festival📍 Kesennuma Fish MarketA local products fair held at the Kesennuma fish market, bringing together seafood and specialty goods from the area, with tours of the market facility also offered.Osorezan Autumn Pilgrimage📍 Osorezan (Bodaiji Temple)The Osorezan Autumn Pilgrimage is a period in autumn when worshippers visit the sacred site of Osorezan, and together with the summer Grand Festival, it is one of the times of year when the most pilgrims come to the mountain.
Nihonbashi Ebisuko Bettara-ichi📍 Around Takarada Ebisu Shrine (Nihonbashi-Odenmacho and Nihonbashi-Honcho area)A traditional street fair with roots in the Edo period, held around Takarada Ebisu Shrine and spreading through Horidome-cho, Nihonbashi-Honcho 3-chome, and Nihonbashi-Odenmacho. About 400-500 stalls, including those selling the local specialty bettara-zuke (sweet pickled daikon), line the Odenmacho area, making it an autumn tradition of Nihonbashi.Oeshiki📍 Ikegami Honmonji TempleOeshiki is a memorial service commemorating the death anniversary of Nichiren Shonin. Among Nichiren-sect temples nationwide, the Oeshiki held at Ikegami Honmonji, the sacred site where Nichiren passed away, is the grandest of all. On the night of the 12th, roughly a hundred-odd mando lanterns carried by devotional groups (ko) from across the country parade through the streets of Ikegami late into the night, in a procession known as the Mando Nerikuyo.Adachi Kite Festival📍 Rainbow Plaza (Niji no Hiroba), on the Arakawa riverbedAn event held every year by the Adachi Kite Festival Executive Committee to promote traditional Japanese kites (wadako) and support the wholesome development of young people. Elementary school children from the city fly kites they made together with their families during summer vacation, in the sky above the Rainbow Plaza on the Arakawa riverbed.Meguro Sanma Matsuri📍 1-25-8 Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, and other locationsOne of the centerpiece events of the Meguro Kumin Matsuri, one of Meguro's largest festivals, known as the "Meguro Sanma Matsuri" for grilling sanma (Pacific saury) sent from Meguro's sister city, Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, over charcoal and serving them to visitors. The grilled sanma is served with kabosu citrus from Oita Prefecture and given out free of charge (advance application required).Tokyo Yosakoi📍 Seven venues across Toshima including the Ikebukuro West Exit Station Plaza and Ikebukuro West Exit ParkHeld every October as the culmination of Toshima's citizens' festival, Fukuro Matsuri, this is one of the largest yosakoi dance contests in Tokyo, taking place at seven venues across the ward centered on the area around Ikebukuro Station, with over 100 participating teams. Top yosakoi teams from around the country take part, performing in a variety of styles.Kanda Used Book Festival📍 Kanda Jimbocho used bookstore district (along Yasukuni-dori)A used-book market organized by the Kanda Antiquarian Booksellers Federation and co-hosted by Chiyoda City, in which about 120 secondhand bookshops line Yasukuni-dori in Jimbocho, said to be one of the world's largest gatherings of used bookstores.Omagari Hanabi — Autumn Chapter📍 Omagari Hanabi Park (Omono River bank)Omagari Hanabi — Autumn Chapter is a fireworks art festival in which local pyrotechnicians present experimental, avant-garde fireworks fitting the birthplace of 'creative fireworks,' held at Omagari Hanabi Park along the Omono River in Omagari, Daisen City. Each edition has a different theme, and the clear autumn air of Tohoku is said to bring out the true beauty of the fireworks.Kamaishi Matsuri📍 Central Kamaishi and Kamaishi HarborThe long-standing festival of Ozaki Shrine and that of Yama Shrine, guardian shrine of the Kamaishi Steel Works, were combined starting in 1967 to become the "Kamaishi Matsuri." On the middle day, a "boat-towing festival" carries the sacred body from Ozaki Shrine's main sanctuary on the Ozaki Peninsula by boat to the town's satellite shrine, with more than a dozen boats carrying tiger dances and sacred music parading through Kamaishi Harbor flying celebratory fishing flags. On the final day, tiger dances, sacred music, floats, and deer dances accompany the two shrines' portable shrines in procession through the city's main streets.Rikuzentakata Industry Festival📍 Around Abasse TakataAn event bringing together the fisheries, agriculture, forestry, and commerce sectors to sell local specialty products and stage performances, with mochi-tossing and food stalls also set up.Senmaya Yoichi (Senmaya Night Market)📍 Shinmachi and Honmachi shopping streets, Senmaya, IchinosekiA night market held by closing the Shinmachi and Honmachi shopping streets in Senmaya to vehicle traffic. It originated as an event started in the Atago district on the east side of the shopping area, and later grew to its current scale after Shinmachi, Honmachi, and Yokkamachi joined in. Each month features a different themed program, drawing crowds of all ages.Kuji Regional Industry Festival📍 Kuji Bunka Kaikan Amber HallA two-day event bringing together creative programs from industries across the Kuji region, from commerce and manufacturing to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, with stalls selling local specialty goods, crafts, and food lining the venue.Higashimatsushima Autumn Festival📍 Around the Higashimatsushima Chamber of Commerce and IndustryThis festival, formerly held in summer as the 'Higashimatsushima Summer Festival,' was renamed and is now held in October around the Higashimatsushima Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Oni-Kojuro Festival📍 Shiroishi CastleA festival reenacting the fierce battle between Shigenaga Katakura, known as 'Oni-Kojuro' for his exploits in the Siege of Osaka, and the warlord Yukimura Sanada. About 120 performers, including publicly recruited armored warriors, ninja, archers, and matchlock gunners, act out the battle.Shito Tagajo Manyo Festival📍 Plaza in front of JR Senseki Line Tagajo StationThis festival takes as its theme a tradition that Otomo no Yakamochi, a central figure in the compilation of the Manyoshu, came to Tagajo late in life and died there. Organized by local residents to recreate the romance of his era, it is best known for its procession of participants wearing hand-made "Manyo costumes" based on research into Heian-period clothing.Kesennuma Industry Festival📍 Kesennuma Fish MarketA local products fair held at the Kesennuma fish market, bringing together seafood and specialty goods from the area, with tours of the market facility also offered.Osorezan Autumn Pilgrimage📍 Osorezan (Bodaiji Temple)The Osorezan Autumn Pilgrimage is a period in autumn when worshippers visit the sacred site of Osorezan, and together with the summer Grand Festival, it is one of the times of year when the most pilgrims come to the mountain.Marimo Festival📍 Lake Akan Onsen (around the Akanko Ainu Kotan area)Established in 1950 (Showa 25) to protect the nationally designated special natural monument "marimo of Lake Akan" by returning it to the lake. Ainu people from across Hokkaido gather to perform the traditional "kamuynomi" ritual. Highlights include a torchlight procession and a joint performance of classical dances.Obihiro Chrysanthemum Festival📍 Tokachi Plaza (Obihiro Nishi 4-jo Minami 13-chome 1)An autumn festival held at Tokachi Plaza for viewing colorful chrysanthemums, featuring a themed flower bed and a chrysanthemum exhibition. The venue is right by the south exit of JR Obihiro Station, and admission is free.Date Agriculture, Fishery and Products Festival📍 Date Rekishi-no-Mori Park lawn plaza special venueAn autumn festival showcasing local Date-grown vegetables and fresh seafood from Funka Bay, held at the lawn plaza venue of Date Rekishi-no-Mori Park. The perennially popular salmon-catching experience is also held there.Tomamin Tomakomai Centennial Fireworks📍 Tomakomai CityA fireworks display once held as part of the "Tomakomai Minato Matsuri" (in August); it has since been separated from the port festival's schedule and is now held in October.Itabashi Ward Citizens' Festival📍 The road in front of and around Itabashi Green Hall (Sakaecho 36 and vicinity, Itabashi City)Held on the road in front of and around Itabashi Green Hall, this is a festival where residents, businesses, and community groups come together. It features stage programs such as an opening parade, Awa Odori dance, and citizens' dance, along with many merchandise stalls.Nerima Matsuri📍 Around the north exit of Nerima Station and Maronie-dori street (Minamimachi Elementary School, Kaishin Daini Junior High School, Nerima General Athletic Park, and other locations)The Nerima Matsuri is the largest event in Nerima City. Its origins trace back to 1978 (Showa 53), when the first festival was held as the "Nerima Ward Citizens' Festival" on the former Kanebo factory site north of Nerima Station. Since the 45th edition, it has been held around the north exit of Nerima Station and Maronie-dori street, featuring food and merchandise stalls and performances such as dance and music on a special stage.Nihonbashi Ebisuko Bettara-ichi📍 Around Takarada Ebisu Shrine (Nihonbashi-Odenmacho and Nihonbashi-Honcho area)A traditional street fair with roots in the Edo period, held around Takarada Ebisu Shrine and spreading through Horidome-cho, Nihonbashi-Honcho 3-chome, and Nihonbashi-Odenmacho. About 400-500 stalls, including those selling the local specialty bettara-zuke (sweet pickled daikon), line the Odenmacho area, making it an autumn tradition of Nihonbashi.Oeshiki📍 Ikegami Honmonji TempleOeshiki is a memorial service commemorating the death anniversary of Nichiren Shonin. Among Nichiren-sect temples nationwide, the Oeshiki held at Ikegami Honmonji, the sacred site where Nichiren passed away, is the grandest of all. On the night of the 12th, roughly a hundred-odd mando lanterns carried by devotional groups (ko) from across the country parade through the streets of Ikegami late into the night, in a procession known as the Mando Nerikuyo.Adachi Kite Festival📍 Rainbow Plaza (Niji no Hiroba), on the Arakawa riverbedAn event held every year by the Adachi Kite Festival Executive Committee to promote traditional Japanese kites (wadako) and support the wholesome development of young people. Elementary school children from the city fly kites they made together with their families during summer vacation, in the sky above the Rainbow Plaza on the Arakawa riverbed.Meguro Sanma Matsuri📍 1-25-8 Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, and other locationsOne of the centerpiece events of the Meguro Kumin Matsuri, one of Meguro's largest festivals, known as the "Meguro Sanma Matsuri" for grilling sanma (Pacific saury) sent from Meguro's sister city, Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, over charcoal and serving them to visitors. The grilled sanma is served with kabosu citrus from Oita Prefecture and given out free of charge (advance application required).Tokyo Yosakoi📍 Seven venues across Toshima including the Ikebukuro West Exit Station Plaza and Ikebukuro West Exit ParkHeld every October as the culmination of Toshima's citizens' festival, Fukuro Matsuri, this is one of the largest yosakoi dance contests in Tokyo, taking place at seven venues across the ward centered on the area around Ikebukuro Station, with over 100 participating teams. Top yosakoi teams from around the country take part, performing in a variety of styles.Kanda Used Book Festival📍 Kanda Jimbocho used bookstore district (along Yasukuni-dori)A used-book market organized by the Kanda Antiquarian Booksellers Federation and co-hosted by Chiyoda City, in which about 120 secondhand bookshops line Yasukuni-dori in Jimbocho, said to be one of the world's largest gatherings of used bookstores.Omagari Hanabi — Autumn Chapter📍 Omagari Hanabi Park (Omono River bank)Omagari Hanabi — Autumn Chapter is a fireworks art festival in which local pyrotechnicians present experimental, avant-garde fireworks fitting the birthplace of 'creative fireworks,' held at Omagari Hanabi Park along the Omono River in Omagari, Daisen City. Each edition has a different theme, and the clear autumn air of Tohoku is said to bring out the true beauty of the fireworks.Kamaishi Matsuri📍 Central Kamaishi and Kamaishi HarborThe long-standing festival of Ozaki Shrine and that of Yama Shrine, guardian shrine of the Kamaishi Steel Works, were combined starting in 1967 to become the "Kamaishi Matsuri." On the middle day, a "boat-towing festival" carries the sacred body from Ozaki Shrine's main sanctuary on the Ozaki Peninsula by boat to the town's satellite shrine, with more than a dozen boats carrying tiger dances and sacred music parading through Kamaishi Harbor flying celebratory fishing flags. On the final day, tiger dances, sacred music, floats, and deer dances accompany the two shrines' portable shrines in procession through the city's main streets.Rikuzentakata Industry Festival📍 Around Abasse TakataAn event bringing together the fisheries, agriculture, forestry, and commerce sectors to sell local specialty products and stage performances, with mochi-tossing and food stalls also set up.Senmaya Yoichi (Senmaya Night Market)📍 Shinmachi and Honmachi shopping streets, Senmaya, IchinosekiA night market held by closing the Shinmachi and Honmachi shopping streets in Senmaya to vehicle traffic. It originated as an event started in the Atago district on the east side of the shopping area, and later grew to its current scale after Shinmachi, Honmachi, and Yokkamachi joined in. Each month features a different themed program, drawing crowds of all ages.Kuji Regional Industry Festival📍 Kuji Bunka Kaikan Amber HallA two-day event bringing together creative programs from industries across the Kuji region, from commerce and manufacturing to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, with stalls selling local specialty goods, crafts, and food lining the venue.Higashimatsushima Autumn Festival📍 Around the Higashimatsushima Chamber of Commerce and IndustryThis festival, formerly held in summer as the 'Higashimatsushima Summer Festival,' was renamed and is now held in October around the Higashimatsushima Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Oni-Kojuro Festival📍 Shiroishi CastleA festival reenacting the fierce battle between Shigenaga Katakura, known as 'Oni-Kojuro' for his exploits in the Siege of Osaka, and the warlord Yukimura Sanada. About 120 performers, including publicly recruited armored warriors, ninja, archers, and matchlock gunners, act out the battle.Shito Tagajo Manyo Festival📍 Plaza in front of JR Senseki Line Tagajo StationThis festival takes as its theme a tradition that Otomo no Yakamochi, a central figure in the compilation of the Manyoshu, came to Tagajo late in life and died there. Organized by local residents to recreate the romance of his era, it is best known for its procession of participants wearing hand-made "Manyo costumes" based on research into Heian-period clothing.Kesennuma Industry Festival📍 Kesennuma Fish MarketA local products fair held at the Kesennuma fish market, bringing together seafood and specialty goods from the area, with tours of the market facility also offered.Osorezan Autumn Pilgrimage📍 Osorezan (Bodaiji Temple)The Osorezan Autumn Pilgrimage is a period in autumn when worshippers visit the sacred site of Osorezan, and together with the summer Grand Festival, it is one of the times of year when the most pilgrims come to the mountain.