Calendar of Japanese Festivals in December

December (Shiwasu)

Flower of the Month: tsubaki (Camellia)

Dec. 1-26, Kyoto	Kaomise, Minamiza Top kabuki actors make formal appearance in all-star kabuki.
Dec. 2-3, Chichibu	Yo Matsuri, Chichibu Jinja Parade of floats and fireworks display.
Dec. 13, Kyoto	Kakure Nembutsu at Rokuharamitsuji Dances are held for half an hour from 16:00 to commemorate that Kuya drove out an epidemic by dancing in 951.
Dec. 15, Tokyo	Gishi-Sai, Sengakuji To commemorate the avenging of the death of Lord Asano by the 47 Ronin.
Dec. 16, Nara:	Unveiling of the statues of Shitsu Kongoshin and Chogen at Todaiji
Dec. 17, Nara	Festival Wakamiya Shrine, Kasuga jinja Procession of people dressed as courtiers and warriors, together with performances of Noh in honour of the deity of the Wakamiya Shrine. originated in the 12th century and has always been one of the major festivals of Nara.
Dec. 17-19, Tokyo	Hagoita-ichi, Sensoji Market where ornamental battledores are sold.
Dec. 20, Kyoto	Susuharai at Nishi Honganiji and Higashi Honganji Ritual cleaning ceremony, whereby priests and parishioners beat the dust out of the tatami in the large halls to prepare for the New year.
Dec. 22 Nara:	Unveiling of the Yakushi statue in Shorakuji Temple Bus to Yanagi Jaya from Nara St, then 30 min on foot (0742-62-9569)
Last Day of the Snake in Dec., Kamakura	Festival of Zeni-arai Benten The Money Shrine holds its festival on a snake day, as the snake is associated with money in Japan.
Dec. 31, Shiga	Shusho-e at Enryakuji Tsuina-shiki in which a demon symbolizing evil deeds is chased away (23:00). Followed by the ringing of the bell for the New Year.
Dec. 31, nationwide	Omisoka, New Year's Eve Traditionally a time for house cleaning and putting up the New Year decorations, such as pine tree branches (kadomatsu) and a sacred straw festoon (shimenawa). Round mirror-shaped rice cakes (kagamimochi) are offered on the household altar or placed in the alcove (tokonoma) of the main room. In the evening, often a buckweat noodle dish called "toshi-koshi soba" is eaten. Just before midnight, in temples all over the country bells are struck a symbolic 108 times.
Dec. 31, Isehara (Kanagawa Pref.):	Unveiling of the Yakushi Triad in Hinata Yakushi Temple.
Dec. 31- daybreak Jan. 1, Kyoto	Okera Mairi, Yasaka Shrine Worshipers come to the Yasaka Shrine to receive some of the sacred fire, by holding an end of rope in the flames. Originally used to light the first fire of the year and believed to ward off illness.

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