How to find out about local festivals?

Hello

I've been to Japan a few times now (partially for work, for conferences, partially as a tourist) and besides doing the more typically "touristy" things, I enjoy just walking around residential areas and small towns to get a feel for the country and the people.
And during these random walks I've come across a local shrine festival a few times.
Is there a way to find out when such festivals are happening?
I.e. those with the processions where the kami is being carried through the streets.
I'm going again this summer and it would be fun to go to one of those again.

If anyone knows how to get that information, that would be great!
thanks :)

Have a good day!

http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/matsuri-list
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2063.html
http://www.japanvisitor.com/japanese-festivals

Don't know your exact dates or where in Japan you will be, but I cannot recommend the Akita kanto or the three neputa matsuri in northern Honshu enough at the beginning of August...

I would even go so far as to advise you to do a day-trip using the shinkansen, despite the cost, if time is limited - in which case, I'd pick the Akita kanto as there's piles going on all day. For me personally, its the best thing I've seen in my 20 years in Japan....

Closer to Tokyo, the Arai hanamatsuri in late July is pretty cool, especially the impressive firework display in the evening, as is the Chigasaki matsuri on the 3rd Monday in July, when they carry the shrines through the sea....

You'll have to scroll back a bit, but there are reports on all of them in my blog:
https://myjapantravels.wordpress.com/

http://www.timeout.com/tokyo
http://www.gotokyo.org/eventlist/en/list
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/category/index.html?cat=ev...
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/category/index.html?cat=fe...
This is the last year of information.
Perhaps soon information even 2016 is up.
WEB address is going to be a 201508 �¨ 201608.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/pdf/event/calendar_events_201508.pdf
On the other, in Tokyo, Azabu Juban festival 2016/8/27 (Sat) - 2016/8/28 (Sun) 15:00 to 21:00 will be held to.
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/event/azabujuban_nouryoumatsuri...

Thank you, Andy and Haro!
This is very helpful.
This year, I'm going for three weeks in August. So I might make it to northern Honshu.

Thank you for all the suggestions! I'm really looking forward to it :-)

And Andy, thanks for the link to your blog!
It's great inspiration for more traveling :-)

rumpelstiltskin,

I know what you mean, because I love to do what you do when I travel.

But as a native Kanto resident, I can say that it's really hard to find schedules for the most low-key festivals, because they're not promoted. Sometimes it's best to just ask a shopkeeper or diner owner at a shoutengai (local community shopping street), because the shoutengai are usually involved in the low-key festivals.

Another great way to find out is to ask at a koban, because they're supposed to have the schedule of the district they're in charge so that they can cooperate in terms of security level.

Thank you, Uco!

I will try to do that.
My Japanese conversational skills are not that great yet. But I might be able to ask someone if I prepare a bit :)

Saying things like these might help. Or you can just show the written form.

Watashi wa chiisai o-matsuri ga suki desu.
(I like small festivals.)

Kono hen de o-mikoshi no yotei wa arimasuka?
(Are there any mikoshi scheduled around here?)

"mikoshi" is the processions where the kami is being carried through the streets.

Are not the most up-to-date information, I found a summer festival list of Tohoku.
http://www.tohokumatsuri.jp/english/index.html
Please check the linked information.

Sorry for not replying sooner. I somehow must have turned off notifications for this...

Thank you, Uco, for the very helpful phrases!!
I always found Japanese people to be extremely open and helpful even if the person speaking to them speaks a very bad and broken Japanese. So I'm sure this will help me :)

And thanks, Haro for the link!

I have so many awesome things on my list for this year that my time in Japan will hardly be enough, but there's always next year ;)