Philadelphia citizens commemorate the Japanese celebration Tanabata at the Shofuso house, engaging in origami crafts, guided tours, and taiko drumming events.
From the vibrant Obon Festival to the enchanting Tanabata Star Festival, the upcoming months will be a treasure trove for those eager to delve into the rich tapestry of Japanese culture and traditions. Here's a rundown of some of the most anticipated events that are set to captivate audiences across the globe.
Kicking off the season is the Salt Lake City Obon Festival, scheduled for July 12, 2025. This event promises a mouthwatering array of Japanese cuisine, electrifying Taiko drumming performances, and a fusion of Hawaiian and traditional dancing. The festival honours the Buddhist custom of Obon, a time dedicated to remembering ancestors, and features a series of cultural performances that pay homage to this heartfelt tradition.
Moving forward to September, Austin, Texas will play host to the Oita Japan Festival on the 20th. This event is a celebration of Japanese culture, showcasing a Shinto Ceremony, live performances by APU Yosakoi Dancers, martial arts demonstrations, a kimono fashion show, tea ceremonies, hands-on crafts, and, of course, Taiko performances. The festival is family-friendly and serves as a connection between Austin and its sister city, Oita, Japan.
The Tanabata Festival, a traditional Star Festival, will take place in Japan during the summer months. This event, celebrated in various locations across the country, is a major summer event that often involves decorating bamboo branches with colourful paper strips. The festival commemorates the meeting of two deities and offers a unique glimpse into Japanese summer star traditions.
One of the most famous traditional festivals in Japan, the Gion Matsuri, will take place in Kyoto from July 1 to 31, 2025. This festival is renowned for its parade of yamaboko floats, which have been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Key parade days are July 17 and 24, making it an event not to be missed.
Beyond these main events, other summer festivals in Japan offer a wealth of traditional elements such as processions, fireworks, and cultural illuminations. The Tenjin Festival in Osaka and the Nijō Castle NAKED Summer Festival in Kyoto are prime examples, offering a chance to explore Japanese festive culture in greater depth.
David Katz, 30, and Sudesha Samantha, 28, travelled from Baltimore, Maryland for the Tanabata celebration. For Katz, the rarity of traditional events like this and the effort required to learn about the instruments and their use made the experience all the more special. Samantha, an enthusiast of Asian art and culture, found her favourite part of the performance to be the line dance.
The Tanabata celebration in Philadelphia was also graced by the presence of Diya Govender, a 21-year-old international student from South Africa. Govender, who expressed an interest in Japanese culture, had driven from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to experience the festival. Akiira Di Sandro, a Philadelphia resident who plays taiko, joined Casual Fifth in 2020 and performed at the event.
Guests at the Tanabata celebration toured the historic Shofuso house, participated in origami crafts, watched traditional Japanese performances, and listened to storytellers. A common custom during Tanabata is to write wishes on small pieces of coloured paper called tanzaku and hang them on bamboo trees. Taiko, often used at folk festivals to create a cheerful atmosphere, was also on display, with visitors watching performances by Casual Fifth, a taiko drumming and dance ensemble.
These events provide a broad and engaging palette of Japanese cultural heritage and traditions scheduled for July through September 2025. Whether you're a seasoned cultural explorer or a curious novice, these events promise an unforgettable journey into the heart of Japanese tradition.
Participants at the Tanabata celebrations enjoyed engaging in origami crafts, watching traditional Japanese performances, and participating in the unique tradition of writing wishes on tanzaku and hanging them on bamboo trees. The fusion of various aspects, such as food-and-drink, fashion-and-beauty (represented by kimono fashion shows), home-and-garden (as seen in the decoration of bamboo branches), and travel (representing the events' international attendance), adds a multidimensional layer to the upcoming lifestyle events from July to September 2025.
