Events in Japan 2014

I found this site. This will be useful to check for events in Japan prior to visiting.

It is winter in Japan so it's a bit cold to walk around here but spring will come soon!

(Today is the weather is very nice and surprisingly warm for this time of the year in Osaka.)

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/festivals/

Winter sale in Japan from Jan 2nd

If you are in Japan in Jan, it is good to go shopping because there are 30 to 50% off in everywhere.

I wonder if you have heard "Fukubukuro (Lucky bag) "which is secret bags with random items at a reasonable price. It is one of New Year's customs in Japan. If you are lucky, you'll get very good items with a good price.

Tokyo
http://www.timeout.jp/ja/tokyo/feature/8470

Kansai
http://www.walkerplus.com/event_list/201401/ar0700/3.html

events in Kyoto in January

It is colder in winter in Kyoto compare to Osaka, but it is worth to visit there. There are many special events to celebrate New Year and if it is cold enough to have snow, you may be able to take a great picture with snow and Golden temple (Kinkaku-ji).

http://www.kyoto.travel/plan_your_visit/cultural_events/january/

Sumiyoshitaisha in Osaka (event on 2014/1/4)

There are many events in Japan in January to celebrate new year.


On the 4th of January, there is a festival at Sumiyoshitaisha called "Toukashinnji", to pray for a bountiful harvest. A lot of Mochi (Japanese rice-cake) is thrown to the audience by the shrine's priests. These red and white mochi are believed to bring good luck. The competition is very hard so it is almost impossible.


About 3 minutes walk from Nakai rail way "Sumisyoshitaisha" station.
http://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/access/train.html

Shinkansen was delayed as of 2014/1/3

There was a fire near JR Urakucho station in Tokyo, so JR Yamanote-san and Shinkansen were partially running but it looks like to hard to recover completely soon. If you are planing traveling Japan with Shikansen you may need to consider changing your schedule.