FESTIVALS

Japan has a host of things to do for budget tourists, and we've compiled our list of the best free things to do. Enjoy!

Hirosaki's Neputa Festival is known for its gigantic, illuminated floats. But did you ever notice the gruesome details hidden in the art?

Samurai aren't just in the movies! The spirit of the samurai lives on at the Soma-Nomaoi festival, featuring a horde of armored warriors on horseback!

Want to make your own raindrop cake? All you need is a yellow peach, pearl agar, water, a bamboo leaf, toasted soybean flour, brown sugar syrup, a microwave and a fridge—and some edible gold powder!

These incredible events are sure to get you fired up about summertime in Japan!

You've got your 'yukata' on and you're ready to roll—but don't leave the house before you've grabbed these useful festival items too!

Enjoy a brilliant light festival in 'Tadasu no Mori' at Shimogamo Shrine!

'Toro nagashi' is a ceremony in which paper lanterns are released into the water, typically floating down rivers to guide the spirits of the dead back to the other world.