crafts & creativity

In northern Japan, the autumn season brings a series of festivals, known locally as aki matsuri (秋まつり), celebrating the harvest, nature, and local heritage. These festivals remain particularly distinctive, often overlooked by travelers. In this article, I will guide you on how to understand, experience, and enjoy them correctly, so read until the very end!

There’s something magical about festivals in Japan. As many of you may have seen in movies or anime, festivals here feel deeply emotional filled with energy, nostalgia, and charm. The Fuji Shima Festival in Ichinohe was no exception.