Part of the reason why Japanese locals try to organize local festivals is because they attract visitors to the area. There’s a lot of teamwork and cooperation that goes into putting a festival together, but in the end it may help stimulate the local economy. If you want to help Japan out by going to some festivals, here are some festivals that typically take place in April:

The Takayama Festival (高山祭) is famous for its puppet doll floats. Every year around mid April, tall lantern floats are paraded in the streets. These floats contain puppet dolls that are moved through master puppeteers. The highlight of the Takayama Festival is the puppet show, where the puppets move to the sound of music. If you watch the video below, there’s a puppet that has managed to do a summersault. It’s quite entertaining to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hc6nU4uk_I&feature=related

The Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri (長浜曳山まつり) takes place in Nagahama, which is in Shiga Prefecture (滋賀県). This festival is known for its kabuki (歌舞伎) plays. The plays are held in a festive float and are performed by children. The children wear white makeup and dress in traditional Japanese clothing; while they reenact scenes from a play. The plays are accompanied by traditional Japanese kabuki music.

In what’s called the Kambutsue Matsuri (灌仏会祭り) or “Buddha Bathing Ceremony”, a sweet tea called amacha (甘茶) is poured over a statue of Buddha. Amacha is made from hydrangea flowers that have been dried and crushed. According to Buddhist legend, nine dragons poured nectar over the Buddha’s body when the Buddha was born. Therefore the amacha is a substitute for nectar and mimics the pouring of nectar over the Buddha’s body. This ceremony is celebrated every year on April 8^th.