Misawa Holidays, Festivals and Events Schedule

Misawa and the surrounding area has many great festivals and events. The events are still small scale in size compared to Tokyo and the events in Southern Japan but less crowds means more fun. :) As I attend each of these great events I will post pictures and reviews up.

* denotes a Japan Public holiday

January

1-3 January
New Years Holiday*
Celebrating the New Year with family is a Japanese tradition. Most businesses are closed downtown Misawa for the three day period.

15 January (the second Monday of each month)
Adults Day - Seijin shiki*
Celebrating the coming of age for all citizens who turn 20 that year. These individuals dress up in very beautiful kimono's and attend ceremonies at their cities offices. At 20 years of age the individuals are allowed to buy alcohol, cigarettes, adult material but more importantly they are seen as true adults.

February

Plum & Cherry Blossom (Hanami) Viewing Feb-May

2 or 3 February
Setsubun
A bean throwing ceremony to bless the people and land is conducted at local shrines and temples. It is conducted the day before Spring begins

11 February
National Foundation Day*
The Japanese holiday were they express patriotism for the founding of their country. Not many events take place other than the raising of the Japanese flag since the holiday is rather controversial.

14 February
Valentines Day
The day of love is celebrated in Japan except only women present gifts to the men. All around town you can find chocolates and flowers to purchase. The women are not forgotten...see White Day.

16-17 February
Misawa Snow Festival
Locals in Misawa build ice sculptures for viewing. Normally Misawa Air Base provides at least one sculpting team. If you can't get to Sapporo then check this out.

17-20 February
Hachinohe Enburi Festival
Marking the end of a long winter the people come out to pray for healthy crops for the Spring. The Enburi is a tool used to teach the people how cultivate the land and dancers dance with the object. The parade is held in Hachinohe as well as the surrounding towns.

March

2 March
Shimoda Swan Festival
A great activity for the whole family. Located on the shores of Maji lake there is food, sake and fun festivities. It is a celebration for the swans that occupy the park from October to March every year.

3 March
Doll Festival - Hina Matsuri
This celebration is a tradition for Japanese households honoring young girls

14 March
White Day
As women give gifts on Valentines Day, men give gifts on White Day. Common gifts are cookies, jewelry, marshmallows, and stuffed animals. A very popular gift is also lingerie since another name for the holiday is "Knickers Giving Day".

21 March
Vernal Equinox* & Higan Memorial Visiting
A traditional holiday celebrating the seasonal changes. It is also a time to visit cemeteries of loved ones and leave gifts of incense, flowers and ohagi (rice balls).

April
29 April - 5 May
Golden Week
The busy week in Japan. Three holidays are celebrated during this week and the majority of the population is not working. Celebrations for Green Day, Constitution Day and Children's Day.

29 April
Greenery Day or Midori-no-hi
Originally the Emperor's Birthday it is now a day to appreciate nature. Much like the American Earth Day activities take place. It also marks the beginnings of the Golden Week vacation.

29 April-5 May (approx)
Misawa Cherry Blossom Festival- Held in late April to early May and the Chuo Park (Train Park) to celebrate the beautiful blooms of the Cherry Blossoms. It really is very small compared to the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, but the location is great. To find Chuo Park walk out the main gate (limited parking) through the two main street lights and you will see a large train engine on the left hand side of the road. You will also see all the beautiful pink paper lanterns hanging in the park.

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival- A beautiful festival held on the Hirosaki Castle grounds. Thousands of blooming blossoms fill the area with pink. The traffic can be quite bad so head out early or take the tour offered by the ITT (leisure travel) office on base.

Shimoda Park Spring Festival- Held in the beautiful Shimoda Park this Festival is fairly new. The festival will be held April 29th to May 5th. The park is home to beautiful swans as well as trails to explore. There is also plenty of playground equipment for the kids and observation tower.

Japan's #1 Statue of Liberty and Cherry Blossom Festival- Many visitors come to Ichou Park to see the graceful replica of the Statue of Liberty. This year the park will be honoring the cherry blossoms from May 1st to May 5th. The park has plenty of room for the little ones to run around and for parents to relax. Bring a picnic and have fun!

May
3 May
Constitution Memorial Day*
A holiday dedicated to the new constitution enacted finalizing the second world war. Oddly enough it is the only day that the National Diet Building (Japanese Congress) is open to the public.

5 May
Children's Day or Boy's Day* or Kodomo no hi
When you see the large carp fish flying from the flag poles it symbolizes the family living in the house. It is a day of reflection and happiness to celebrate children. The holiday used to be called Boy's Day but it has been changed to incorporate all children.

31 May - 1 June 2008 (confirmed)
American Day- A great festival put on by the personnel of Misawa Air Base to show the Japanese some positive and fun American culture. The date for the 2008 American Day is May 31st and June 1st. All the festivities take place directly outside the Misawa Main Gate. There will be a parade, food, and entertainment. If you live on base I highly recommend on walking. You can park in the BX parking lot but get there early it fills up quickly.

July
4 July 2008 (confirmed)
Misawa Air Base Freedom Fest-Held at the Collocated Club and the Base Beach. Fireworks, games, food and great prizes! Alternate Fireworks launch date is 5 July. More Info

19 July 2008 (confirmed)
Nango Jazz Festival - One of the largest jazz festivals in Japan. Individuals from all of the world come to perform and watch. Nango is a town just south of Hachinohe. Many Americans have graced the stage in Nango.

19- 20 July 2008 (confirmed)
Lake Towada Fireworks Festival-Held at the magnificent Lake Towada a beautiful display of fireworks light up the summer sky. Ferry rides and paddle boats are available for some extra fun. One spot to see is the "Statue of Maidens" created by Kotaro Takamura (a famous poet and sculptor). Fireworks are on both nights!

20 July 2008 (confirmed)
Lake Ogawara Festival
A fun festival dedicated to the opening of many water activities and beaches around the area. Traditional festival events take place as well as beauty pageant for girls. For more information contact the Misawa Sightseeing Association at (0176)59-2311.

27-29 July 2008 (confirmed)
Misawa Tanabata Festival
One of the largest festival in Misawa the Tanabata festival is a lot of fun. Vendors and performers line the outer perimeter of the gate. The festival celebrates the reunion of mythological characters. I recommend bringing the walking shoes for this one as well, parking is very limited.

31 July - 4 August 2008 (confirmed)
Hachinohe Sansha Taisai (Japan's largest float festival)
Sansha (meaning three shrines) Taisai (meaning festival) is a festival filled with beautiful floats and colorful dancers. Men dressed as samurai warriors on horseback accompany the floats in downtown Hachinohe.

August

2-7 August 2008 (confirmed)
Aomori Nebuta Festival
One of the best festivals I have ever seen. Located in downtown Aomori. Large floats made of wood and colorful paper are transformed into the angry Nebuta characters. It is extremely busy and traffic can be crazy. I recommend taking the train from Misawa Station to Aomori. It will let you off right downtown where you need to be.

Prize Winning Nebuta Floats

3 August
Beef and Potato Festival/Agricultural Holiday Festival
A festival on Misawa City Farm is a true country experience. There is BBQ to purchase and hay rides and much more to do. Another great activity for the kids.

13-16 August
Obon or Lantern Festival
A festival much like Dia de los Muertos in Mexico. The japanese honor their ancestors by lighting lanterns to help the ancestors find their way home. This is a particularly busy week to travel so beware...

21-24 August
Misawa Summer Festival
This four day festival starts at Miss Veedol Dome with a drumming competition. Friday a parade will take place near the Misawa City train station. Satuday is the busiest and most exciting day of the Festival. There is a costume parade and lots of competitions. The whole event is to celebrate the harvest of the year. Very fun event!

31 August
Misawa Port Festival
A celebration for the fish... or large fishing season. Many of the typical festival activities can be seen. Fresh fish and other items can be purchased as well. There is fireworks once the sun goes down so don't miss it!

September

2 September
Misawa Air Show
Misawa Air Base annual air show is a great event for the community. With American and Japanese participating in aerial displays it is a beautiful sight. The base is extremely busy as people from all over Japan come to witness the show. Shuttle buses will be running and make sure to bring your walking shoes.

15 September
Respect For The Aged Day*
Much like Grandparents day in America this celebrated the elderly of Japan. The news highlights the population of elderly and the oldest people and their stories.

22 September
Autumnal Equinox Day*
Another day to remember those family and friends that have passed by visiting the graves.

October

5 October
Miss Veedol Cup Paper Plane Contest
This contest is held at the Misawa Sky Park (Misawa Aviation and Science Museum). The building is located adjacent to the base almost, but you must go out the gate to get to it. For more information contact the NPO Take Off Misawa at (0176) 50-7777.

10 October
Health and Sports Day*
This national holiday celebrates a healthy mind body and soul. Many outdoor activities take place and sports are played. America really needs this one...

18 October
Misawa Halloween Fiesta
Located downtown Misawa and on white pole road this is a small festival dedicated to Halloween holiday. It is put on by the Misawa City Chamber of Commerce (0176) 53-2175.

31 October
Halloween
Halloween is not a widely celebrated holiday in Japan. Most activities such as trick or treating take place on the base. Every year you can sponsor a japanese family onto the base to join you in the adventure. In the larger cities many adults get dressed up and visit night clubs, bars and private parties.

November

3 November
Culture Day*
Culture Day dates back to when the new Constitution (post WW2) was announced. The Japanese celebrate the freedom and peace that this event brought to the country. Many media outlets will highlight outstanding individuals who have done great things to contribute to the society.

11-12 November
Shimoda Salmon Festival
If you have never caught a salmon bare handed this is your chance. Be prepared to get wet. Once caught you can have it gutted and take it home with you. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Misawa ITT office on base. Exciting event for the whole family.

15 November
Shichigosan
The 7, 5, 3 holiday... Boys and girls of 3 years old, boys of 5 years old and girls of 7 years old are celebrated on this day. It is believed that children of these ages are prone to bad luck so many come together and pray for the children.

23 November*
Labour Thanksgiving Day
Japanese culture is huge on productivity so it is no surprise that they have a holiday dedicated to it. They give each other thanks for hard work and productivity. Gifts are sometimes given as well.

December

23 December*
Emperors Birthday
Emperor Akihito was born on December 23, 1933.

25 December
Christmas
Christmas graces Misawa every year in full color. Downtown tree's are decorated and lights are strung. It is beautiful to see. There is a tree lighting ceremony every year in Risner Circle (Flag Circle). Christmas can be seen around the town as well. Many stores have decorations and gifts to purchase.