Hōnen Matsuri (豊年祭, Hōnen Matsuri) (Japanese for Harvest Festival) is a fertility festival celebrated every year on March 15 in Japan. The most well-known of these festivals takes place in the town of Komaki, just north of Nagoya City. Hōnen means rich harvest in Japanese, while a matsuri is a festival or holiday. The Hōnen festival and ceremony celebrate the blessings of a bountiful harvest and all manner of prosperity and fertility.
The festival’s main features of interest are Shinto priests playing musical instruments, a parade of ceremonially-garbed participants, all-you-can-drink sake, and a 280 kg (620 pound), 2.5 meter (96 inch)-long wooden phallus. The wooden phallus is carried from a shrine called Shinmei Sha (in even-numbered years) on a large hill or from Kumano-sha Shrine (in odd-numbered years), to a shrine called Tagata Jinja.
The festival starts with celebration and preparation at 10 a.m. at Tagata Jinja, where all sorts of foods and souvenirs (mostly phallus-shaped or related) are sold. Sake is also passed out freely from large wooden barrels. At about 2pm everyone gathers at Shinmei Sha for the start of the procession. Shinto priests say prayers and make blessings on the participants and mikoshi which are to be carried along the parade route, as well as the large wooden phallus.
When the procession makes its way down to Tagata Jinja the phallus in its mikoshi is spun furiously before it is set down and more prayers are said. Everyone then gathers in the square outside Tagata Jinja and waits for the mochi nage, at which time the crowd is showered with small rice cakes which are thrown down by the officials from raised platforms. The festival concludes at about 4:30 p.m.
One of Japan’s three most beautiful festival, the event does not lack tourists and visitors in participation. The Shinto festival is held twice in a year, spring and autumn, in the old town of Takayama. This year’s spring Takayama festival will be held on the April 14-15 2008. So do try to catch it because it is a sight to behold. The throngs of people visiting the old towns brings the sleepy place to life.
There are usually evening and morning events with beautiful processions, floats and performances in traditional costumes.
Omicho Market has a history that dates back to the Edo Period. This open space market sells excellent fresh fish that is a must visit for anyone who is traveling to Kanazawa.
Kanazawa is well-known throughout Japan for its traditional cooking, which is called Kaga Cuisine. The seafood is a specialty, the jumbo shrimp in particular. Sushi and sashimi are also excellent. The Japanese sake produced in this region is of high quality, smooth and sweet. The quality of the local sake derives from the excellence of the rice grown in Ishikawa Prefecture as well as the considerable precipitation of the Hokuriku region, allowing for an ample supply of clean, fresh water. This is why in Omicho, most of the shops there sell seafood. The market is a favorite place to purchase the best that Kanazawa has to offer.
Through much of Japan’s history, the Kiso Valley was used to connect the former Mino and Shinano provinces. However, it came to be known as a difficult route because of its steep climbs. The Shoku Nihongi recorded that the Kiso no Yamamichi (岐蘇山道) was opened in 702. The same route was again mentioned in a 713 article, but it was then called the Kisoji no Michi (吉蘇路). The Kisoji (木曽路) would eventually follow the same path. However the official Tōsandō did not run through the Kiso Valley; instead, it ran from Mino Province towards the Kamisaka Pass and into the Ina Valley. During Japan’s middle ages, the Nakasendō, an old trade route, ran through the valley, which led to the creation of eleven post stations along the route. Since the Meiji period, the Chūō Main Line (for trains) and Route 19 (for vehicles) have been cutting through the valley.
Today, Kiso Valley is a historical site where a beautifully preserved post town lies.
Micro flying, i’ve always wanted to try you. I saw you on TV and the sense of euphoria you leave people after they’re done with you. I bet trying you out around Mount Fuji, one of the most beautiful places in the world, would be excellent.
Look at them sitting in the hot spring on cold winter’s day. You know what they say, it’s true that when your bum is covered, you’re all good to go. On a different note, if I ever visit Japan, this is one of those place I want to visit - Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano. The monkey park is situated in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture. It is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, and is located in the valley of the Yokoyu-River, in the northern part of the prefecture. The name Jigokudani, meaning “Hell’s Valley”, is due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold and hostile forests.
The heavy snowfalls (snow covers the ground for 4 months a year), an elevation of 850 meters, and being only accessible via a narrow two kilometer footpath through the forest, keep it uncrowded despite being relatively well-known.
It is famous for its large population of wild Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata), more commonly referred to as Snow Monkeys, that go to the valley during the winter, foraging elsewhere in the national park during the warmer months. The monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm waters of the onsen (hotsprings), and return to the security of the forests in the evenings.
The Hakuba region is just hours away from Tokyo. It is the best place to ski because 1) excellent powdery snow 2) it’s close to the city 3)internationally renowned. I guess winter can’t be that bad if you can ski :)
THere are several resorts to choose from in Hakuba but a popular one is Happo-one, which is also the biggest resort in Hakone. However we know that skiing is really a rich man’s sport. Equipment rentals and season passes are not exactly cheap. But I have some good news for you. If you read Metropolis, if you don’t you better start now, SnowJapan.com is giving out free lift passes to its readers.
Seisonkaku Villa is one of the very few remaining samurai villas in Japan. It’s beautiful architecture and rich history marks this place as a touristic spot for all. The villa was built by a Maeda lord out of filial piety for his mother.
The villa stands right next to Kenrokuen but a different admissions fee apply.
At a glance, Izu Peninsula looked like a picturesque Hawaii during the summer. The peninsula is a resort area about 100 kilometres away from the Southwest of Tokyo. The mild climate at Izu makes it a popular spot for the locals and tourists. And with the palm trees, it really does look like Hawaii.
Izu Peninsular is a popular recreational as it is known for its onsen hot springs, including Atami and Mishima. The peninsula abuts Mt. Fuji and is a part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
It is also a popular destination for scuba diving. Historically the top three diving destinations are:
Further south, there is a tropical plant conservatory called Banana Crocodile Park (バナナワニ園 Banana Wani-en) near Itō.
Izu being one of Japan’s biggest producers of wasabi, the local cuisine offers many wasabi-flavored dishes. Some famous towns and popular tourist attractions include old Shuzenji with its temples, onsens, waterfalls, and ryokans, and Shimoda, the landing site of Commodore Perry’s infamous fleet of black ships. Your chances of tasting a REAL wasabi is probably higher in Izu than anywhere else in Japan.
How to get there?
Visit this website for a concise guide on getting to Izu Peninsula.
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