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Events in Narita City

>>Narita calendars annual events and sights

• First visit of the year to a shrine or a temple (January)
  People visit temples or shrines praying for happy new year. Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is crowded with some 3 million people during 3 day period from New Year's Day to January 3.
  
  
• Setsubun (February 3)
  A traditional Japanese event in which people scatter roasted soy beans in order to drive away goblins and draw in happiness. While it is held at each household, a ceremony at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is a huge event where sumo wrestlers and people in show business join in bean throwing.
  
  
• Celebration for the Spring Season (early in February)
  It is actually a celebration of New Year's day in old Chinese calendar. Narita International Friendship Society helps enhance friendly relationship between Japan and China.
  
  
• Ume Festival (mid February to mid March)
  In Naritasan Park where there are some 600 ume trees blooming beautiful red and white flowers, open-air tea ceremonies are held Sundays and National holidays during the period of festival.
  
  
• Odori Hanami (April 3)
  Traditional dance is performed under the full-blown cherry trees to celebrate the coming of spring. Women in Narita Neighborhood Association dance in kimono of the same design.
  
  
• Narita Taiko Festival (mid April)
  The highlight of the program is the Japanese drum festival which is the largest in the Kanto region. Shops along the entrance path to the Temple will have a sale.
  
  
• Daitou Festival (mid May)
  This festival is held in celebration of building Naritasan Heiwa Daitou in 1984. A procession of dancing people in kimono from JR Narita station through Shinshoji is a quite a sight.
  
  
• Narita Gion Festival (July 7 to 9)
  This is the biggest festival in Narita in which ten floats and stages for dancing go in procession around the town and along the entrance path. For those foreigners who are interested in joining in the festival can borrow Hanten or Japanese short coat at Narita Kankokan.
  
  
• Tanabata Festival (Star Festival) (August 7)
  Each shop in the streets will have big and brilliant Tanabata decorations in its front and they will have a sale.
  
  
• Narita Furusato Festival (late August)
  This summer festival is held in Narita New Town. Its Residents' Associations will have many open shops there, and firework display and concerts will be held.
  
  
• Otaiyasai Festival (September 2 to 3)
  This festival is held at the Sohgo Reido as a memorial service for Sohgo Sakura. The festival is even more brightened by floats parade, fireworks and some entertainments.
  
  
• Citizen's sports meet (mid October)
  The sports meet held around Physical Education Day at Nakadai track and field is aiming to help improve people's health and promote mutual friendship. Heated competition can be seen among teams, each consisting of people living in the same elementary school district.
  
  
• Chrysanthemum Festival (mid October to mid November)
  This is an exhibition of chrysanthemum flowers, a symbol of Japanese autumn. Various potted flowers and bonsai (dwarf tree in a pot) are worth seeing. The festivals at Naritasan and Sohgo Reido are famous among others.
  
  
• Halloween Party (late in October)
  Pumpkin lantern making and a fancy Halloween costume parade. A lot of foreigners join in the party.
  
  
• Citizen's Cultural Festival (mid October to early November)
  People in Narita city show what they have achieved so far as a result of their daily cultural activities. The exhibition will be held at International Culture Hall and Chuo Community Center. Sports meet will also be held at a time.
  
  
• Industry's Festival (late November)
  This is a festival to celebrate a harvest. Many people come and see to buy farm produce and special products of Narita city.
  
  
• Gorisho Festival (mid November)
  A historical parade related to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is quite a spectacle. A stage for international exchange is built, and people from various countries perform their native songs and dances.
  
  
• A Gathering of International Cultural Exchange (December)
  Foreigners will bring their native foods and have fun. The party is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Narita International Friendship Society.