Events:
Cherry Blossom Forecast 2024
https://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/
https://weathernews.jp/sakura/ (Japanese version only)  
https://tenki.jp/sakura/expectation/ (Japanese version only)
https://www.otenki.jp/sp/art/sakura/ (Japanese version only)

when and where to see cherry blossoms (Japanese version only):
https://hanami.walkerplus.com/
https://sp.jorudan.co.jp/hanami/
https://www.jalan.net/theme/sakura/

2024 calendar (Jan - March) - updated 1 Dec 2023

:national holidays
:the 24 solar terms in traditional East Asian lunisolar calendars

Events can be changed or cancelled

JANUARY

1 Jan  New Year's Day (元日)
          Hatsu-mode(初詣, first visit of the year to a shrine or temple)
             An artificial grove was created for Meiji Jingu Shrine in 1920 so that the grove would become close to the wild condition in 100 years.

http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/numbers-of-visiting-shrines-and-temples.html
            Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu is famous(notorious?) for giving much more Super Unlucky fortunes than others.
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/general-congratulatory-palace-visit.html
2 Jan  Hatsu-yume(初夢, the first dream of the new year)
           Kakizome(書き初め, the first calligraphy writing of the New Year)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/first-things-of-year.html
          Hatsu-uri(初売り, the first business day of the year)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/general-congratulatory-palace-visit.html
              fukubukuro (lucky bags)are offerings for the first day of business
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/first-things-of-year.html

         A general congratulatory palace visit (皇居一般参賀)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/general-congratulatory-palace-visit.html
2-3 Jan  Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip College Ekiden Race (箱根駅伝, Hakone Ekiden )
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/01/hakone-ekiden.html
3 Jan  Tamaseseri(玉せせり), Hakozakigu Shrine, Fukuoka Prefecture 
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2017/01/tamaseseri.html
4 Jan  The first working day of the year for public servants(官庁仕事始), Daihakkai(大発会)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/first-working-day-of-year.html
5 Jan  Hatsu-seri(初競り, the first fish auction of the year)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/first-auctions-of-year-at-fish-markets.html

6 Jan  Dezome-shiki (出初式,The New Year parade of fire brigades) by Tokyo Fire Department
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/dezome-shiki.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/01/dezome-shiki-nanakusagayu.html
7 Jan Nanakusa (七草, Feast of the Seven Herbs of Health )
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/01/dezome-shiki-nanakusagayu.html

8 Jan  The annual karuta competition(かるた名人位・クイーン位決定戦), Omi Jingu Shrine, Shiga Prefeture
Karuta is a Japanese card game, but its competition is a kind of sports.
 Advance reservation is required on the website.
The competition will be livestreamed on YouTube.
9-11 Jan  Toka-Ebisu(十日戎), Osaka
11 Jan  Kagami-biraki(鏡開き, Cutting of New Year's rice‐cakes)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/01/seijin-no-hi-kagami-biraki.html
15 Jan  Ko-shogatsu (小正月) or Sagicho(左義長)
               People burn things related to Shogatsu to pray for good harvests, good health and the safety of families or to send the god of the New Year back to the sky.
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/sagicho.html
16 Jan Yabuiri(藪入り)
              holidays of merchants and artisans in the Edo Period
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/yabuiri.html
17 Jan The day of The Great Hanshin Awaji earthquake(阪神淡路大震災の日)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/01/great-hanshin-awaji-earthquake.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/16th-anniversary-of-great-hanshin-awaji.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/17th-anniversary-of-great-hanshin-awaji.html
19-28 Jan Kobe Luminarie (神戸ルミナリエ), Hyogo Prefecture
              This event started in December 1995 to mourn for the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake.
20 Jan Hatsuka-shogatsu(二十日正月)
               On this day, all of the events related to Shogatsu finish.
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/daikan.html
             Hatsukayasai(二十日夜祭) in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/01/hatsukayasai-in-hiraizumi.html
20 Jan Daikan(大寒, the coldest period in the year)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/daikan.html
              a sad ghost story and kaimaki-futon
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/story-of-futon-of-tottori.html                
27 Jan  The mountain-burning event at Mount Wakakusa(若草山山焼き), Nara Prefecture

                In most areas of Japan, grasslands turn into forests if they are not cared for. Controlled burning has been traditionally conducted to turn out cattlle and horses onto fresh pasture, and to gather Japanese silver grass(susuki) and common reed for thatched roofs. 
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/mountain-burning-event.html
                Mountain-burning events are held from January to April in Japan. 
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/01/mountain-burning-events-and-omiwatari.html

other posts:
daffodils
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/01/daffodils.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/japanese-daffodils.html
Winter peonies, shiba dog, Ornamental cabbages
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/winter-peonies.html
oyster and pufferfish
About 90% of cultured oysters in France are descended from Miyagi's oysters
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/oyster-and-pufferfish.html
Hay Fever
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/01/hay-fever.html
eruption, snow and the bird flu virus spread among wild cranes in 2011
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/eruption-snow-and-bird-flu.html
chirimen-zaiku(crepe crafts)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/01/chirimen-zaikucrepe-crafts.html
Confections including seasonal ingredients
/2010/01/confections-including-seasonal.html
Ingredients of Japanese confectionery(1)
/2010/01/ingredients-of-japanese-confectionery.html
Chushingura (1)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/02/chushingura-1.html
Chushingura(2)
an old Japanese alphabet can be read as a poem which consists of 47 different letters
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/02/chushingura2.html
Murasaki Shikibu hated Sei Shonagon
Shikibu who wrote "the Tale of Genji"  hated Sei Shonagon who was the author of "the Pillow Book".
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/01/murasaki-shikibu-hated-sei-shonagon.html
Japanese women writers from a thousand years ago
There were many women writers including Murasaki Shikibu, Sei Shonagon thousand years ago.
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/01/japanese-women-writers-from-thousand.html
Izumo Shrine and Ise Shrine
Japanese swords, Princess Mononoke, and Gillette
The Nittoho Tatara(日刀保たたら) ironworks operates during  late January  and early February.

FEBRUARY



3 Feb Setsubun(節分)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/02/setsubun.html
               ceremonies to ward off demons, Ehou-maki(uncut rolled sushi), sardine heads, study of oni(demon), Red Demon
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/02/setsubun.html
4 Feb   Rissyun (立春, the first day of spring)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-day-of-spring.html
9-25 Feb The Nagasaki Lantern Festival (長崎ランタンフェスティバル), Nagasaki Prefecture
10 Feb Chinese New Year's Day(春節, Chinese:Chun Jie, Japanese:Shunsetsu)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/lunar-new-year.html
               Yokohama's Chinatown
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/02/syunsetsu.html
11 Feb National Foundation Day(建国記念の日) 
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/02/e-mail-from-akoya-pearls.html

12 Feb Substitue holiday

12 Feb   Hatsu-uma (初午, the first day of the horse in February)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/02/first-horses-day-of-february-hatsuuma.html
              Foxes are regarded as the messengers of the god.
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/02/hatsu-uma.html,
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/02/foxs-image-in-japan.html


date not determined(18 and 19 Feb in 2023) Ume Festival at Yushima Tenmangu Shrine(湯島天神梅まつり), Tokyo
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/02/ume-matsuri.html
                                ume (Japanese apricot)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/01/umethe-japanese-apricot.html
                                ume festivals
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/omizutori-and-ume.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/02/ume-festivals1.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/02/ume-festivals2.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/02/ume-festivals-and-ume-bonsai.html
14 Feb Saint Valentine's Day(聖バレンタインデー)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/02/saint-valentines-day-and-chinese-new.html
15-16 Feb Yokote Kamakura Festival (横手かまくら), Akita Prefecture
                   In a snow house, children invite passersby inside and offer them sweet alcoholic amazake and rice cakes
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/02/kamakura-festival.html
                   Kamakura Bonden and Little Dog festivals
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/02/kamakura-and-bonden.html
17-20 Feb Hachinohe Enburi Festival(八戸えんぶり), Aomori Prefecture 
               folk performing art to pray for a good harvest
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/02/enburi-festival-at-hachinohe.html
23 Feb    The Emperor's Birthday(天皇誕生日)★

25 Feb The Ume Festival(梅花祭) at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine(北野天満宮), Kyoto
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/02/why-did-sugawara-michizane-become-god.html
                 Japanese syllabary characters were as sort of a subculture:
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/02/michizane-and-japanese-syllabaries.html

other posts:

soft rime(樹氷) and snow festivals in February
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/02/soft-rime-and-snow-festivals.html
Camellias
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/03/camellia.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/tsunami-and-tsubaki.html
Japanese washi paper
washi paper was used to restore Michelangelo's painting in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/02/japanese-washi-paper.html
haru-ichiban(春一番, the first spring storm)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-spring-storm.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/02/haru-ichiban.html
Omiwatari(御神渡り, The God's Crossing)
a natural phenomenon found in Lake Suwa, Nagano Prefecture
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/02/omiwatari.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/01/mountain-burning-events-and-omiwatari.html
winter confections
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/02/winter-confections.html
confections with Japanese citrus fruits
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/02/confections-with-japanese-citrus-fruits.html
The earthquake in Chile and tsunamis in 2010
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/02/earthquake-in-chile-and-tsunamis.html
a letter of condolence
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/02/letter-of-condolence.html
visiting sake(Japan's traditional rice wine) breweries
Sake has been offered to the Shinto deities. In winter visitors can enjoy tours of sake storehouses and sake-tasting at many sake breweries. It is well known that sake brewery workers have smooth and fair hand skin although they do wet work in winter.
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/02/visiting-sake-breweries.html
winter festivals in Japan
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/02/winter-festivals1.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/02/winter-festivals2.html
Drift ice attached to coasts of Hokkaido
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2017/02/drift-ice-attached-to-coasts-of-hokkaido.html
Dogs visited shrines on behalf of their owners
About Japanese dogs
1. Hachi
2. Yukimaru  - the dog of Prince Shotoku(574-622) .
3. Satsuma dogs and Saigo Takamori(1828-1877),  military commander and politician.
4.  Wooden puppy dog owned by Buddhist monk Myoe (1173–1232)
5. puppy paintings by Maruyama Okyo (1733-1795)
6. White dog in Rakugo - a popular belief that white dogs could be reincarnated as human beings in the next life 
7. Dog-shaped talisman made by Empress Komyo(701–760) 
8. Dogs went on a pilgrimage to Ise Shrine & 9. Konpira dogs
Some dogs took a pilgrimage to Shinto shrines such as Ise Shrine, Kotohiragu on behalf of their owners.

10. Some shrines have enshrined a Japanese wolf as the deity
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2018/02/dogs-visited-shrines-on-behalf-of-their.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2018/02/dogs-visited-shrines-on-behalf-of-their_24.html

MARCH


1-14 March Syuni-e(修二会) ,Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji Temple(東大寺二月堂), Nara prefecture
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/omizutori.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/omizutori-and-ume.html
3 March  the Doll Festival(雛祭り)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/hinamatsurithe-doll-festival.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/hina-dolls.html
dolls festivals in all over Japan
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/03/dolls-festival.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/03/dolls-festival2.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/03/dolls-festival3.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/confections-for-doll-festival.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/hina-matsuri.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/04/ts-been-unseasonably-cold-here-like.html
hanging ornaments for the Doll Festival, floating paper dolls, and the dolls of the Honma family 
The Honma family was the Japan's largest landowner and lent money to farmers at low interest rates with their farm land as collateral. Their payment deadlines were virtually non-existent. 
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/03/doll-festival-and-honma-family.html

5 March  Keichitsu(啓蟄)◆
hibernating insects are said to come out of the ground on this day
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/keichitsu.html
10 March  Hote-matsuri(帆手祭), Shiogama Jinja Shrine, Miyagi Prefecture
As the legend goes, sacred cauldrons changed the color of water in them on March 11th.
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/03/hote-matsuri.html
11 March  the day of the Great East Japan Earthquake (日本大震災の日)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/earthquake-off-sanriku-coast.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/03/one-year-has-passed.html
                      What is going to happen next?
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/what-is-going-to-happen-next.html
                       few good news
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/few-good-news.html
                       It's snowing in the afflicted area
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/its-snowing-in-affected-areas.html
                      A week has passed
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/week-has-passed.html
                     the 10th day after the quake
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/10th-day-after-quake.html
                     concerns about harmful rumors
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/concerns-about-harmful-rumors.html
                      Two weeks have passed
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/two-weeks-have-passed.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/03/two-years-have-passed.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2014/03/three-years.html
                     total damage of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake
What would happen if the 2011 Tohoku earthquake had hit your country instead?
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2017/03/damage-of-2011-tohoku-earthquake-and.html
12 March  Omizutori(お水取り) ,Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji Temple(東大寺二月堂) , Nara prefecture
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/omizutori.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/omizutori-and-ume.html
                      omizutori and paper garment, kawazu-zakura, Kasuga-sai in Nara
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/03/omizutori-and-kawazu-zakura.html
14 March  White Day(ホワイトデー)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/white-day.html
17-23 March  Higan(彼岸)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/higan.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/visiting-family-graves.html
20 March  Spring Equinox Day(春分の日)
27 ( 28) March  the anniversary of Sen no Rikyu's death(利休忌)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/nanohanarapeseed.html

other posts:

the eighth shogun planted cherry trees for cherry-blossom viewing so people in Edo(old Tokyo) went on a cherry viewing picnic.
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/04/cherry-blossom-viewing.html
cherry blossoms all over Japan
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/04/cherry-blossoms-1.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/04/cherry-blossoms-2.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/04/cherry-blossoms-3.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/04/cherry-blossoms-4.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/04/cherry-blossoms-5.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/05/cherry-blossoms-6.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/04/cherry-blossoms_13.html

http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/02/cherry-blossom-forecasts.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/cherry-blossoms.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/anniversary-of-buddhas-death.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/things-related-to-cherry-blossom.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/04/cherry-blossoms-in-literature-and-plays.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/04/flurry-of-falling-cherry-blossoms.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/04/cherry-blossom-viewing-at-japan-mint.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/04/lunch-for-cherry-blossom-season.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/03/spring-is-in-full-bloom.html
kawazu cherry, Kasuga-sai in Nara
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/03/omizutori-and-kawazu-zakura.html
Kagamiyama Kokyo no Nishiki-e and Ooku(大奥)
At Ooku(the shogun harem in Edo Castle), Top-ranked maids got a salary of 25 million yen a year.
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/kagamiyama-kokyo-no-nishiki-e-and-ooku.html
faithful dog Hachi
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/03/faithful-dog-hachi.html
High School Baseball Tournament , Yellow sand(黄砂)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/spring-equinox-day.html
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/03/yellow-dust-and-cherry-blossom-forecasts.html
neighborhood Japanese bush warblers
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/03/neighborhood-japanese-bush-warblers.html
the Great Ginkgo at Kamakura City
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/03/great-ginkgo-at-kamakura-city.html
Toki(The Japanese crested ibis) died
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/03/tokithe-japanese-crested-ibis-died.html
Sawarabi(young bracken)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/03/sawarabiyoung-bracken.html
Winter daphne and deer
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/03/winter-daphne-and-deer.html

Bunraku:
Imoseyama-onna-teikin(妹背山婦女庭訓)
http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2010/03/romeo-and-juliet-in-ancinet-japan.html



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