Words for a Japanese local festival

The idea

お祭り is a festival; some include 屋台, stalls selling food, or a 神輿, a portable shrine carried in a procession. 浴衣 is a light cotton garment often seen at summer events. Each festival has its own customs and opportunities for participation.

Examples

• 町まちのお祭まつりに行いきます。I go to the town festival.
• 屋台やたいでたこ焼やきを買かいます。I buy takoyaki at a stall.
• 神輿みこしをみんなで運はこびます。We carry the portable shrine together.
• 友達ともだちは浴衣ゆかたを着きています。My friend is wearing a yukata.
• 夜よるに花火はなびを見みます。We watch fireworks at night.
• お祭まつりはいつですか。When is the festival?

Watch out

A festival need not have all these features. Follow local guidance before joining a procession or taking photographs.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the Japanese form for “food stall”: （屋台やたい／神輿みこし）

   Show answer or example answer

   屋台

   屋台 matches “food stall”; 神輿 matches “portable shrine”.

2. Choose the Japanese form for “portable shrine”: （浴衣ゆかた／神輿みこし）

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   神輿

   神輿 matches “portable shrine”; 浴衣 matches “light summer garment”.

3. Choose the Japanese form for “light summer garment”: （浴衣ゆかた／屋台やたい）

   Show answer or example answer

   浴衣

   浴衣 matches “light summer garment”; 屋台 matches “food stall”.

Use it today

Use the reference to make two sentences of your own about this topic. Read them aloud and compare them with the examples.