Japan has an abundance of local festivals - matsuri - connected with shrines and temples throughout the country. Most are held on an annual basis on a particular set date.
     Japan's festivals often celebrate the changing of the seasons, special historical events or are connected with fertility or prayers to the gods for good health. Most festivals in Japan are colorful, lively and joyous affairs often involving a procession with participants in period dress or happi coats carrying through the streets a mikoshi - a special, decorated palaquin containing the local Shinto kami (gods).
     Many festivals in Japan may also involve large, decorated floats (such as the famous Gion Matsuri in Kyoto), exhibitions of martial arts such as archery and horse-riding, music, dancing
and copious quantities of food and drink served up from yatai - street stalls.

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