The First Horse Festival was a spring holiday for worshipping at Inari shrines. But iis now celebrated in the middle of winter on February first! Enjoy eating Inari Zushi, etc.!
Yokote Snow Festival (Akita prefecture) 横手のかまくら よこてのかまくら
The Yokote Snow Festival is held in the middle of February every year in the city of Yokote in Akita prefecture. They feature making Kamakura; the local name for a hut made of snow. There are several events at various locations around building and staying in the Kamakuras. In each Kamakura is a small shrine dedicated to the god of water. There is also an event with a Bonden, a huge mystic circle made out rope and hay, which is ritualistically carried across the snow in a parade. It looks fun!
Sapporo Snow Festival 札幌雪祭り さっぽろゆきまつり
The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the great snow festivals in the world. Every early February more two million people from around the world come here!
雨水 うすい Usui
Usui is the second solar term out of 24 beginning on Chinese New Year. It begins in Japan on March 19th and ends March 5th.
Enburi (Aomori Prefecture) えんぶり
Enburi is the ritual the farmers in Hachinohe, Aomori, perform from February 17th to the 20th to wake up the gods of the fields and give energy to the earth or a healthy sowing of the fields.
Valentine’s Day in Japan バレンタイン デー
Valentine’s day in Japan differs from the western counterpart in that Japanese women are expected to give chocolates to men or their women friends.
National Foundation Day 建国記念の日 けんこくきねんのひ
National Foundation Day is a national holiday in Japan celebrated annually on February 11th celebrating its mythological foundation by 1st emperor, Jimmu.
Hari-Kuyō in Kanto Area Near Tokyo 針供養 はりくよう
Hari-Kuyō is the event for honoring Broken Needles, celebrated on February 8 in the Kanto region, but on December 8 in the Kyoto and Kansai regions.
立春 りっしゅん Rishyun
Rishyun is the first of 24 solar terms according to the ancient Chinese calendar. The kanji can be read as spring has come.
Setsubun 節分 せつぶん
Setsubun occurs on February 2nd and is part of the three day Spring Festival and corresponds with New Year’s Eve on the ancient Chinese calendar.
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