The Kanamara Matsuri (かなまら祭り or ”Festival of the Steel Phallus”) is one of the most unusual festivals in Japan. Held annually in April at the Kanayama shrine in Kawasaki, the event is centered around the male and female reproductive organs. Not surprisingly, it draws a huge crowd, with the majority clearly foreigners who flock from all corners...
The Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり, Sapporo Yuki Matsuri) is held during one week every February in Hokkaido's capital Sapporo. It is one of Japan's most popular winter events. The Sapporo Snow Festival was started in 1950, when high school students built a few snow statues in Odori Park. It has since developed into a large, commercialized event, featuring...
Originally introduced from China, the Japanese plum (梅, ume; sometimes referred to as Japanese apricot) has played an important role in Japanese culture for many centuries. Its popularity was eventually surpassed by that of the cherry tree. The plum is associated with the start of spring, because plum blossoms are some of the first blossoms to open during...
