For clients looking for options in Japan, Kyushu is the southwestern-most of Japan’s main islands and offers a line-up of festivals and seasonal events.
Kawachi Wisteria Garden, Fukuoka, is said to be one of the most breathtaking floral destinations, with 20 varieties of wisteria in shades of white, pink, lilac, and deep purple. Best viewing is generally late Apr to early May.
Also in Fukuoka is Hakata Gion Yamakasa, an iconic festival that has taken place for almost a millennium and includes one-tonne kakiyama racing floats.
Ogionsaa has a 400-year-old festival featuring a 3000-strong procession of Shinto shrines and festive per formances in Central Park (mid Jul), while on the first Fri and Sat of Aug the Tanabata Festival in Oita offers warrior themed Funai Pacchin illuminated floats (pictured) and the Chikirin Bayashi Citizens’ Dance.
The Yamaga Lantern Dance Festival in Kumamoto (15-16 Aug) is where 1000 women wearing handcrafted washi-paper lanterns on their heads perform the graceful Yoheho dance. From late Sep to late Oct, the Ikoma Plateau in Miyazaki displays mil lions of cosmos flowers and visitors can walk among them and enjoy seasonal food stalls.
. . . Saga
UNESCO-treasure, the Karatsu Kunchi Festival in Saga, sees 14 colossal lacquered hikiyama floats paraded through the streets 02-04 Nov, coinciding with the Saga International Balloon Fiesta Asia’s largest hot air balloon event.
Into the New Year the Nagasaki Lantern Festival (Feb) sees over 15,000 lanterns illuminate Chinatown, Minato Park, Chuo Park and riverbanks city-wide and features dragon and lion dances, Chinese circus acts, and richly costumed parades. See HERE.
