Matsuri is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday. In Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple, though they can be secular.
There are no specific matsuri days for all of Japan. Dates vary from area to area, but festival days do tend to cluster around traditional holidays such as Setsubun or Obon. Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer/early autumn, usually related to the rice harvest. (Source: Wikipedia)
Every summer, we look forward to this joyous festival in Rokko Island, which is usually held in late summer (last Saturday of August). This is the time of the year when most of the people here and even those who live outside the island, gather together and meet with friends and relatives at the River Mall where Matsuri is regularly held. This is the most celebrated festival here in Rokko Island. Most of the Japanese attend the festival wearing yukata (casual summer kimono).
For this year's Matsuri, we decided to wear the traditional Japanese summer dress, since most of us will be leaving Japan next year and we wanted this to be a memorable Matsuri for us. Good thing the weather cooperated with us. It was windy during the night and a little bit cool, and so we were able to enjoy wearing yukata and we had a lot of fun, and lots of picture taking too!
For this year's Matsuri, we decided to wear the traditional Japanese summer dress, since most of us will be leaving Japan next year and we wanted this to be a memorable Matsuri for us. Good thing the weather cooperated with us. It was windy during the night and a little bit cool, and so we were able to enjoy wearing yukata and we had a lot of fun, and lots of picture taking too!
I would also like to share this beautiful video of 2012 Rokko Island Matsuri that was prepared by Aron Castro (son of my good friend Ajoh). Enjoy!
http://vimeo.com/48206930
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