Leisure Programs

Statistics based on a 2004 survey done have shown that the top leisure activity that Japanese participate in is dining out, followed by domestic travel and driving (O.o).

Amusement and theme parks are very popular with the Japanese as well, what with their Disneyland, Universal Studios and the various parks based on foreign country themes (like Canada, Spain and Germany).

Of course, major festivals attract a huge crowd of Japanese, as they are all very patriotic and proud of their own culture and country.

Some examples are:

Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)

Sakura or cherry blossom is known as Japan’s national flower, though unofficially. It is an important part of the Japanese culture and has been used in many areas, such as their coins, arts, and even the police force logo. 

Cherry blossoms bloom around the period of end March to early May. As it is very much enjoyed by everyone, they even have a Cherry Blossom Forecast so that people would know the exact time and date to visit parks like Ueno Park or Shinjuku Gyoen as the flowers are only in full bloom for two weeks. What the people would do is to just sit down under the tree and have a picnic, socialize with friends and relatives, enjoying the scenery of petals flowing down.

For cities like Tokyo, Hanami is usually celebrated at night (known as Yozakura / night sakura), hence they also have paper lanterns around to boost the atmosphere.

The Hanami Festival started in the Nara Period (AD 710-794), where it was just flower viewing, and the most popular being ume (plum), instead of sakura.

cherry blossoms

plum blossoms

Shichi-Go-San Festival (7-5-3)

Celebrated on 15 November (as it is believed to be an auspicious day in the Japanese Almanac), it commemorates the Japanese children turning three, five, or seven years old. Usually at seven years old being more significant for girls, and five more significant for boys. The reason being that at three years of age, both genders are allowed to start growing their hair longer; at five, boys started wearing their first hakama pants in public; and at seven, girls are wearing their first obi.

Parents would bring their children to the shrine and buy chitose-ame (thousand-years candy) for them. The candies are usually in the shape of cranes and turtles, representing prosperity and longevity.

History of the Shichi-Go-San festival goes a long way back, dating from the Heian Period (AD 794-1185}, celebrating the growth of children in the royal families before passing down to the commoners.

Here are some of the more common festivals and events available in Japan:

-       - Hanami

-       - Shichi-Go-San

-       - Obon Festival

-       - Tanabata Festival

-       - Koinobori Festival

-       - Hina Matsuri (Girl’s Day Festival)

-      -  Hadaka Matsuri Festival

-       - Bean Throwing Festivals

-       - Fertility Festivals

-       - Firework events

And many others that vary from cities to cities, islands to islands.

{http://whatjapanthinks.com/2005/10/27/leisure-time-activities/}

{http://us.okwave.com/qa20001048.html}

{http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_where.html}

{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanami}

{http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/shichi-go-san.html}