It's 'Neighborhood Festival' Season In Japanese Residential Areas

July and August are actually neighborhood festival months in Japan. In residential areas, traditionally people organize neighborhood communities in every several blocks called "Chonai-kai". These "Chonai-kai" communities usually manage local activities such as small festivals, and public space cleanup in the community, and share information. 

Since July and August are the traditional seasonal period called "Obon", which has been the time to visit own home town for family gathering since old times. It is said that during "Obon" the souls of our dead family would come back to our house for a short visit, and we welcome them with offerings, memorial services and festivals. Therefore each "Chonai-kai" community holds small local festivalsincluding "Bon-dance" in this season. "Bon-dance" is a general name for dances with traditional music practiced in Obon season. 

At these small local festivals other typical festival activities such as "Mikoshi (portable shrines)", "Dashi (traditional festival cart)", traditional instruments performances and parades are often seen as well shown in the photos above. These photos were taken at Mejirodai Festival in Hachioji city held on July 16th and 17th.

Perhaps you can come across these local festivals while walking in town!