How the Japanese Celebrate Legends of the Milky Way During the Annual Star Festival

Each year on the seventh day of the seventh month, Japanese people all over the country gather together for what is called Tanabata, or the Star Festival. 

The Japanese festival originates from a traditional Chinese festival known as the Qixi Festival. It is purposed to celebrate the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, who are represented by the stars Vega and Altair. The annual holiday is filled with traditions and rich cultural celebrations, beginning on July 7th. 

Today, people celebrate this day by writing goals and wishes on small pieces of paper and hanging them on decorated bamboo. The various decorations and bamboo sticks are then set afloat on a river or burned after the festivities have concluded. This traditional Japanese custom is similar to Obon traditions, where people place floating paper ships and candles in rivers. There is a range of customs celebrated in Japan today for the Star Festival, depending on the region. In addition to the bamboo sticks, common decorations that can be seen during the holiday are colorful streamers, casting nets called Toami, and Kinchaku bags. The streamers are said to symbolize the “weaving of threads”, the casting net is to bring good luck to farmers and fishermen, and the Kinchaku bag symbolizes wealth.

The festival’s origins can be traced back to the legend of the Cowherd Star (Altair) as well as the Weaver Star (or Vega). The stars were said to be separated by the milky way and only permitted to meet one a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month. Another legend behind the holiday is the tale of Kikkoden, which dates back over 2,000 years ago. The legend says that there was a weaver princess named Orihime and a cow herder prince named Hikoboshi. They fell so deeply in love and were so distracted by one another’s presence that they began neglecting their jobs. The king was so furious that he used the Milky Way to separate them, only allowing them to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.  

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The Annual "Hand Made in Japan" Festival Houses Japan’s Finest Artists Under One Roof

Starting tomorrow and going until the 20th of July is the “Hand Made in Japan” Festival. The huge festival celebrates Japan’s most beautiful arts as well as the artists behind them. Taking place in Tokyo Bay, the annual festival introduces over 3,000 of Japan’s finest artists.

Attendees are given the chance to not only look at, but purchase, a wide variety of arts and crafts, as well as attend demonstrations and participate in workshops. Once visitors have explored the seemingly endless selection of already made crafts, they can test out their own inner-artists at any of the 20 themed workshops provided in the Tokyo Big Sight Atrium. 

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After trying out one (or all) of the workshops, attendees can continue through the halls of artwork towards the West Exhibition Hall. This area of the festival houses around 2,200 booths all offering original works ranging from fashion accessories to household decorations. Finish out the amazing day by attending one of the live concerts or a paining session. And would any Asian festival be complete without food? Absolutely not! A wide array of food and beverages from different regions of Japan are also provided while visitors explore the halls. 

One of the special elements about Japanese art is the rich history behind it. With almost all ancient Japanese art, there is a story that comes with it. Those stories are woven through the Japanese people and their culture- thus making their art feel more personal. And what better way to display hand-crafted ornaments with a history than through a large festival where thousands of eyes can appreciate it. Often it is festivals like these that keep culture alive as time goes on. 

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Japanese Prepare for the Summer Harvest with the Takayama Festival

Like most places, Japan has a deep love and appreciation of spring. The arrival of the warmer weather, sunshine, and blossoming of nature after the harsh months of winter is something that just makes everyone want to celebrate. The Japanese celebrate all season long with a wide variety of festivals and holidays. And one of them is just around the corner! Starting April 14th and extending till the 15th, the Japanese will be participating in the exciting festival known as the Spring Takayama Festival. 

Although the origin of this holiday is unknown, it is thought that the celebrations date back to during the time of the Kanamori family’s rule. 

The festival is centered around a shrine known as the Hie Shrine, which can also be referred to as the Sanno Shrine. This alternate name for the shrine is also the reason behind the other name for the Spring Takayama Festival, which is the Sanno Festival. During this time, the people of Japan are meant to pray for good fortune and a good harvest. Another Takayama festival follows in October, the Autumn Festival, which is purposed towards giving thanks for that year’s harvest.

In addition to the Hie Shrine, floats and puppets are big part of the festival celebration. Skilled craftsman work tirelessly to make exquisite puppets made from wood, silk, brocade, and embroidered cloth. The creators show off their creations with extravagant puppet shows for eager crowds. 

The large floats built for this holiday are so impressive that the festival is famous for the floats alone. The craft, style and decoration for the floats dates all the way back to the 17th century. They are built and decorated to perfection with glided wood and detailed metal-work, then covered with stunning embroidered drapery. The floats are all lined up and then at dusk as many as 100 lanterns are lit on top of the floats and they are released to roam the city throughout the night for everyone to see and enjoy. Seen as a “cultural asset” to the completion of the float parade, the marionettes perform their shows on top of the floats as they explore the city. 

The History Behind One of Japan's Oldest Holiday Traditions: Girl's Day

With the ending of February and the coming of March, we can look forward to a transition from the long and cold winter into the beginning of the spring months. The coming of spring not only means welcoming warmer weather, but also a season full of fun and traditional festivals and holidays throughout Asia. One of the first spring holidays in Japan is just around the corner! On March 3rd, people around Japan will be celebrating the festival known as Girl’s Day. 

Also referred to as the Doll Festival or Hinamatsuri, Girl’s Day is one of the oldest known holiday traditions in Japan. The annual celebration first began during the Heian Period, which dates all the way back to 794! The people of the ancient villages began first by displaying the beautifully crafted dolls in their homes, believing that they possessed the capacity to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. It then became customary to engage in a custom known as hina-nagashi. This practice called for people to place the dolls into boats and push the boats out to sea, with the belief that the dolls would carry the bad spirits away with them. 

The Doll Festival has also become referred to as Girl’s Day because during the Heian Period, and still today, it was popular for many of the little girls to play with dolls. The dolls were so loved that they even became seen as the protectors or caretakers of the girls, even marriage. 

warding off bad spirits and keeping a watchful eye on their owner throughout her childhood, adolescence, courtship, and

Each year as the hand-crafted dolls are displayed, it reminds the people of Japan of an almost millennia-old custom. If you are looking to get a taste of the rich culture and history of Japan, there is no better time than during this beautiful display of Japanese history. 

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10 Festivals In Asia That Will Change Your Life (Part Two of Two)

Asia is a popular tourist destination for many reasons, including its mouthwatering food, beautiful sights, and remarkable infrastructure- but thousands of people flock to the countries of Asia each year for another reason as well- their festivals. 

Countries across Asia such as Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, India, and more are host to spectacular festivals and parades on an almost monthly basis. Every festival brings something fun and culturally significant to the table, but we have a handful of festivals that prove so unique and exciting, you'd have to be crazy to not add them to your to-do list. The first five, mentioned in our previous blog, include the Naadam Festival in Mongolia, the Full Moon Party in Thailand, the Lantern Festival in China, the Mud Festival in South Korea, and the Ice Festival in China. The next five are equally as remarkable as the first and might just have you pulling out your calendar to plan your next trip! 

6. Cherry Blossom Festival

Here at ONCEkids, we are huge fans of this festival, and it seems like many other people are too because it has made number 6 on our list of life-changing Asian festivals! In Japan, the cherry blossom has become a metaphor for the nature of life and is an extremely important aspect of their culture. So visiting one of Japan's parks during the Cherry Blossom Festival, which coincides with their blooming season, will not only let you take in the beauty of the tree and it's blossoms, but also connect you with Japanese culture and tradition. 

7. Diwali

Also known as the Festival of Lights, this event is one of the most beautiful and culture rich times in India. It will take your breath away to witness candles and lanterns being lit and released as far as the eye can see. This festival is not only extraordinarily aesthetically pleasing, but it also possesses a deep connection with Hindu culture. The lights and fireworks are used to represent the continuous triumph of good over evil.

8. Thaipusam

The next festival on the list is certainly not for the faint of heart! This event is much more for observing and learning rather than participating but remains equally life-changing! Like the Full Moon Party, this religious celebration takes place during a full moon in January, to celebrate the birth of Murugan, who defeated the evil demon Soorapadman. During this festival, tens of thousands of tourists gather at the Temple at Batu Caves to witness the ceremony. 

9. Holi

Many of the parades, holidays, and festivals in Asia have an underlying historical significance, and this holiday is no exception! The Holi Festival has ancient origins and, like Diwali, is purposed to represent the defeat of evil through good. On this day, it is tradition to hug one another, wishing them a 'Happy Holi'. Oh and did I mention to throw paint and colored powder at each other also? You heard me right! This festival is home to the Carnival of Colors, where there is singing, dancing, and chasing each other with dry powder and water guns filled with colored water. The Indian festival is sometimes referred to as the Festival of Love, because it encourages people to forgive and forget, to laugh and play, and to feel careless, something many of us do not always have time for in our day-to-day lives. 

10. Songkran

Instead of mud, the Thai New Year (known as Songkran), likes to use water! This last festival is so cool because it is literally one giant water fight. So get some old clothes and shoes on and get ready to get soaking wet then covered in flour! This new year's celebration really stood out to me for how unique it is and also because its all about just letting loose and having a ridiculous time, something we all should indulge in every once and a while! 


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People Crowd the Streets of Downtown Kyoto During the Annual Gion Festival

One of the most famous festivals in Japan is the Gion Festival, or Gion Matsuri, occurring in Kyoto. This festival, its name deriving from Kyoto's Gion district, stretches over the entire month of July. 

The beloved festival originated as part of an ancient purification ritual to appease the gods responsible for fires, floods, and earthquakes. Now fast forward to today, and though it may not be celebrated as part of a ritual, it is still considered an important aspect of Japanese culture and tradition. 

During this exciting time, Kyoto's downtown area is transformed in anticipation of the three nights leading up to the festival's most celebrated day, the Yamaboko Junko parade. During these three nights, referred to as yoiyama, the streets are lined with carts selling foods like barbecued chicken skewers, traditional Japanese sweets, and many other popular Japanese foods. The girls dress in traditional summer kimonos, or yukata, and walk around carrying with them traditional paper fans and purses. 

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Also during these nights, many of the houses located in the old kimono merchant district will open their homes to the public, giving everyone a chance to view a traditional Kyoto residence. As enjoyable as these three nights are, the first one beginning July 14th, they are all purposed to lead up to the main event- the parade. 

The Yamaboko Junko, occurring on July 17th, is the highlight of the Gion Festival. On this day thousands of people line the streets of Kyoto to get a look at the beautiful display of floats that pass by during the annual parade. The most priceless and exquisite Japanese tapestries drape these impressive floats, while dancers and musicians perform a skilled ancient ritual around them.

Smaller, but equally impressive, yama floats follow the larger ones. These represent life-sized mannequins of the ancient emperors, empresses, aristocrats, and deities. 

This parade represents the beautiful collation of art, music, dance, and craftsmanship within Japanese history, tradition, and culture. 

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