Why Bunka No Hi Is All Things Traditional In Japan

"Yabusame? What's Yabusame?" I asked.

Yuko, my Japanese buddy just smiled and said, "You'll see."

Well as it turned out, Yabusame is just one of many traditional Japanese cultural activities you might be lucky enough to see if you're in Tokyo when it's Bunka no Hi.

Bunka no Hi. The background

Bunka no Hi is a special celebration on the Japanese calendar. It's literal meaning? Culture Day.

The purpose of this National Holiday, as the name suggests, is to promote culture, the arts, and academic success. Each year, individuals who have excelled in one of these areas are awarded merits from the Japanese Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. One of the highest of these awards is the Order of Culture.

And the honour is not just limited to Japanese citizens. Anyone who has demonstrated particular devotion or effort to a worthy cause can receive recognition for their actions. On Bunka no Hi in 1969, after their successful landing on the moon, the American astronauts involved in the mission were subsequently presented with the Order of Culture.

Activities on Bunka no Hi

So what kind of activities can you expect to see on this day? Well, once you get the translation it suddenly becomes a lot easier to envisage the kind of activities that happen on Culture Day. They include kimono wearing, Japanese tea ceremonies, martial arts including kendo and samurai sword demonstrations and, of course, Yabusame.

So what's Yabusame? It's the ancient art of horseback archery Japanese style. And it's an amazing sight! If you're near one of these events when Culture Day comes round it's definitely worth going to see.

When and What is Bunka no Hi?

If any of these things sound appealing then you need to know when it all happens. Bunka no Hi is celebrated every year on November 3.

Why November 3? It's a significant day on the Japanese calendar as it marks the announcement on November 3, 1946, of the newly ratified Japanese constitution at the end of WWII.

But even before 1946, November 3 was a major date on the Japanese calendar for a very different reason. It was the birth date of Emperor Meiji. However, from the date the new constitution was signed, the meaning of the day changed. Emperor Meiji's birthday now slides by with very few realising there is more to celebrate about November 3 than the constitution alone.

Still, Bunka no Hi is all about celebrating the culture that's formed Japanese life and society today. And that's exactly what the locals do.

What the locals get up to on Culture Day

In and around Tokyo on November 3, or on the nearest weekend to the date, many Japanese families will visit shrines and temples wearing kimono and other clothing. If you're lucky, you may even get to see a traditional Japanese wedding taking place.

And as I mentioned at at the beginning of the article, cultural activities including martial arts, Yabusame, tea ceremonies, and shamisen music will all be happening in local temples and shrines across Japan.

But if you happen to be in Tokyo on Bunka no Hi, there are two very special places to be on this day. And they're both located in famous areas of the city…

… Starting With The Tokyo Jidai Matsuri

On Bunko no Hi, in the area surrounding Sensoji Temple, the Tokyo Jidai Matsuri takes place. The name means "The Festival of Ages" and it's made up of a parade that represents the culture and traditions that have been practiced for centuries across the country.

If you're interested in history and costumes, all those in the parade are dressed in clothes typical of the Edo Period in Japan. Samurais and Daimyos can be seen strutting their stuff with their ladies in waiting follow behind. And make sure to look out for the famous white heron dance that takes place around Sensoji Temple itself.

The parade starts at 1:30pm near the Kaminarimon Gate at Sensoji Temple. Don't worry. It's easy to find. Just follow the crowds!

To get to Sensoji you need to take either the Toei Asakusa or Ginza subway lines and get off at Asakusa station. From there it's just a few minutes walk.

So what's the other major venue to visit in Tokyo on Bunko no Hi?

Check out the Yabusame at Meiji Jingu Shrine

Remember that horseback archery?

On Bunko no Hi it's a major attraction at Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku. And there's more than just horseback archery. There's a traditional archery tournament, aikido performance, and an ancient archery ceremony as well.

Things usually kick off early in the day with the first event starting at 09:00. The Yabusame usually takes place at around 13:00. The timetable can change from year to year so check in with the Meiji Jingu official website to confirm. It also includes details on how to get there : )

Things to look out for

The two main events in Tokyo for Culture Day are definitely worth seeing… as long as you don't mind crowds. Early starts are necessary if you want to get a good view of the activities and events going on. If you'd prefer a quieter celebration where you can still get to see cultural activities such as calligraphy, music, and the Japanese tea ceremony, consider going to a more local temple or shrine and joining in with the locals in the neighbourhood.

Last but not least. if you have little ones with you, some can get a little disconcerted, and some completely freaked out, at the costumes on display at the bigger festivals. They're very realistic and pretty scary when you first see them full size and up close. If your little one is sensitive, it's a good idea to prep them for this beforehand so they have some idea of what to expect.

Other than that, Bunka no Hi is one of my favourite days on the Japanese calendar. And the Yabusame? I love it! Thanks Yuko.

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