Omatsuri The Japanese Summer Festival “Omatsuri” is a ritual for worshipping gods or Buddha, or an event held in gratitude towards nature. These include praying for a plentiful crop and expression of thanks after the crop harvest. The word “Omatsuri” is used for festivals held in a shrine; if held in Buddhist temples, they are called “Ennichi.” Almost every shrine in Japan has a Omatsuri in late summer or early autumn, and it is said that there are more than 300,000 festivals. At the festival, there are many rows of stalls called “Demise.” You can buy your favorite food from a food stall such as Takoyaki (Octopus Dumplings), Yakisoba (Fried Noodle), Wata-ame (Cotton Candy), and Yakitori (Grilled Chicken ), then enjoy these while walking around. Also, Demise have many activities, for example, a shooting game, goldfish scooping game, and ring toss. Children love those activities. Among various types of festivals, in order to avoid summer heat and enjoy a cool evening, “Hanabitaikai” or firework displays are held. Many people go there with a casual Kimono “Yukata,” which is made from cotton. It is a standard costume for the summer festival. Also, there are traditional dance events called “Bon Odori” to hold a memorial service to the spirits of ancestors; people dance with music at the temple yards. For Japanese lovers, those summer festivals are an important event following Christmas Eve Day.