There are many big celebrations in Japan. The big celebrations are divided into four groups, which are in the spring summer fall and winter.

First, the celebrations in the spring may be categorized into three groups, which are Doll festival, Children's day, and Hanami festival. The Doll festival is called Hinamatsuri and celebrated on March 3. A set of "Hina" dolls and miniature household articles are arranged on a tiered stand. This festival is for girls. In addition, the Children's day is celebrated for boys on may 5. Carp streamers are hoisted out doors and warrior dolls and miniature armor are displayed in the house. Kashiwamochi, a rice cake filled with a sweet soy bean paste and wrapped in an oak leaf, is traditionally eaten on the day. Hanami, which is blossom viewing, is also big popular event. When cherry trees burst into bloom, people swarm to those places noted for cherry blossoms. For example, Ueno Park is in Tokyo will be changed into a party place. Office workers will have a night party, which is drinking and singing under the tree to release their stress. It is nice to see not only cherry blossom but also crazy people!

Second, Lantern festival and Nuclear Bomb Day are example of big celebrations in the summer. The Lantern festival is a Buddhist festival observed in mid August. During the first two days, people visit their family tombs and invite the spirits of their ancestors to their homes. Bon-odori, which is a country-dance, is also performed at this time. After celebration is over, the spirits are sent back to the younger world. In addition, we have Nuclear Bomb Day on August 7 and 9, and anniversary of the end of World War two on August 15. These days are very important for Japanese because we had a lot of victims for WW2. The former event is held in Hiroshima on august 7 and Nagasaki on august 9. We pray for victims of nuclear bomb and promise no more war with close our eyes for one minute at the same time when the nuclear bomb was fallen in 1945. The same thing is also done in the latter event, which is anniversary of the end of WW2.

Third, Respects for the Aged Day and Health-sports Day are celebrated in the fall. The respect day for aged day is celebrated on September 15 and many families go to see their grandma or grandpa. In addition, health-sports day on October 10 is a kind of big athletics sports competition. Many people enjoy outside on this day because this day is clear every year.

Fourth, the big event includes Christmas Day, New Year's Eve. The Christmas day in Japan is different from Canada because of only for young couples. We consider it better to spend with boyfriend or girl friend on that day, especially December 24. The other styles, such as Christmas cake and tree are almost same as Canada. On the New Year's eve, we call Omisoka, is December 31. This is the busiest month in Japan. People clear their house and offices thoroughly and get everything ready for the coming new year. We eat buckwheat noodles and stay up late to listen to temple bells which are tolled 108 times at midnight. This custom comes from the Buddest belief that human being are born with 108 earthly desired and temple bells on Omisoka release them one by one. Many people also go to temple to celebrate the New Year's coming.

In conclusion, we have a lot of events in Japan, such as doll festival in the spring, lantern festival in the summer, health sports day in the fall, and new year's eve I the fall. We actually have more events than I introduced, that are smaller and not as important. You can enjoy with those events every season whenever you go to Japan. Please ask me for more information if you are interested in these events I introduced.