{Inter} Cultural Japan

Nov., Kyoto: Special Temple Openings
Many temples which are usually not open show their treasures or gardens. See here for a list.

Nov., Tokyo: Tori-no-Ichi, Otori Shrine (Taito Ward)
Sale of kumade or bamboo rakes, to rake in good fortune.

November 2-4, Karatsu (Saga Pref.): Karatsu Kunchi
Interesting hikiyama floats with models of sea bream, dragons, samurai helmets and other paraphernalia are carried around town.

Nov. 3 (public holiday): Culture Day.
Originally the holiday dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, but now rechristened as “Culture Day.” On November 3 the Emperor awards the Order of Culture to people of outstanding achievement in the fields of science, art or culture. There are also many art festivals and cultural activities nationwide, where lesser awards are given by all kinds of organisations.

November 3, Yumoto Hakone, Kanagawa: Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu
A parade of 150 people in full period-dress recreats a daimyo (feudal lords) procession of the Edo-period (1603-1867).

November 3, Shitenno-ji Temple, Osaka: Shitenno-ji Wasso
A parade of thousands of people in historical costumes treks to Shitennoji. A new festival started in 1990 to stress the links of Osaka with the Asian mainland (in the past Shitennoji served as a diplomatic center for embassies from China and Korea).

Nov. 2-24 Tokyo: Nitten Art Exhibition in Tokyo Metropolitan Museum, Ueno.
Japan’s largest annual modern art exhibition.

Mid. November, Arashiyama, Kyoto: Momiji Festival
Five boats with people in Heian costume, playing traditional music, sail down the Oi River in Arashiyama. Around this time the momiji or autumn leaves are at their best.

Nov. 15, nationwide: Shichi-Go-San (Children’s Shrine Visiting Day).
The seven-five-three festival when parents with boys of five, girls of seven and boys and girls of three dress their children in bright kimono and take them to shrines where they pray for their children’s future. In Tokyo: Meiji Shrine or Kanda Shrine.

Nov 21-28, Kyoto: Memorial Services for Shinran, Higashi Honganji.
The temple’s main annual event. Priests chant while swaying back and forth, to imitate Shinran’s passage on a boat through a storm.

Nov. 23., nationwide: Labor Thanksgiving Day.
Established after the war as a day to express gratitude for hard work done in the past year. Originally, Nov 23 was the day when since the Meiji-period the Niiname-sai, an ancient rice festival, was held. The Emperor would make an offering of the new harvest to the gods and himself taste the first rice of the year. The Niiname-sai is still held privately by the Imperial Family.