Tenjin Matsuri (天神祭) is likely one of the most well-known water and light-weight festivals in Osaka and can be one of many three largest festivals in Japan. It takes place yearly on July twenty fourth and twenty fifth. Tenjin is “god” and Matsuri is a pageant in Japanese. Different festivals embody the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and the Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo.
Osaka, also called the Metropolis of Water and Gentle, has been the location of this pageant for greater than a thousand years. This pageant started in 951 in honor of Sugarawa Michizane, the god of knowledge.
Come right here and expertise first hand how the Japanese have a good time their summer season. Tenjin Matsuri is a mixture of a river pageant, a fireworks show with over 3000 pictures and the Omikoshi parade. And naturally, the bustling crowds in colourful yukata (summer season kimonos) and geta (picket sandals) are a part of the annual summer season occasion.
Begin your thrilling journey into the pageant from Tenmangu Shrine. On the primary morning, July 24, the Yomiya-sai (Eve Pageant) begins early at 7:45 a.m. with rituals and prayers for the success of the pageant.
Firstly of the pageant there’s a Taiko Japanese drum efficiency accompanied by Danjiri dancers (Omikoshi accompanists) and a dragon dance. Don't miss the golden omikoshi on show at Tenmangu Shrine, which can be utilized in the course of the pageant.
At 11am, you’ll be able to see individuals able to accompany Omikoshis at Tenmangu Shrine. One of many well-known stops you shouldn't miss is Midosuji Avenue to Tenjinbashi Bridge.
Music is after all an necessary a part of each pageant. At Tenjin Matsuri, you’ll be able to watch younger and outdated sweating profusely in the summertime warmth, singing loudly and taking part in conventional music whereas 20 to 30 danjiris scream in time to the music they usually accompany the sacred omikoshis weighing as much as tons of of kilograms.
The parade on the Okawa River begins at 6 p.m. Attempt spending a second with a Kabuki actor or a ship with Japanese puppets as you stroll alongside the riverside stalls.
On July 25, often called Honmiya – the precise pageant day, the three predominant occasions are floor parades, river parades and evening fireworks.
The spotlight is the Hanabi fireworks show, which begins round 7:30 p.m. and attracts bigger crowds. In Japan, a summer season pageant wouldn't be full with Hanabi alone. Fireworks are actually an excellent finish to an excellent pageant.
The individuals, vitality, music and colours of the Tenjin Pageant are true experiences that guests to Japan mustn’t miss.
Go there
It's only a brief stroll from Osaka Tenmangu Station.
