Latest news with #SomaNomaoi
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Japan's hot summers change festival schedules
TOKYO -- Very hot summers in Japan are changing famous summer events. Some festivals now happen in spring or autumn because of extreme heat. Tokyo's Adachi Fireworks Festival usually happens in late July. But last year, very hot weather caused problems. Workers and visitors felt sick from heat. One person went to the hospital. This year, the event was set for May 31 instead. Many people agree with the change. Families with young children say it is safer and easier for them now. In Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, the Kujirabune festival usually happens in mid-August. It is a traditional event more than 200 years old and is even recognized by UNESCO. This year, it will happen in late September. This is because many people in the festival are elderly. The festival group wants everyone to be safe from the extreme heat. Japan's Tohoku area also has changes. Fukushima Prefecture has a famous horse festival called Soma Nomaoi. But last July, very hot weather caused the death of one horse. So now, they have the festival in May. In the Kyushu area, Kitakyushu moved its big summer festival from August to September. Saga city changed the date of their summer festival too. However, some festivals need to stay on their regular dates. The Tanabata star festival in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, is always around July 7 every year. Organizers say changing its date would lose its meaning. Instead, they will add mist fans outside to help people feel cool. (Japanese original by Shuji Ozaki, Digital News Group) Vocabulary extreme: very strong; more than normal elderly: older people organizer: the person or group that plans an event
The Mainichi
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Easy Japanese news in translation: Traditional horseback event held in Fukushima Prefecture
"Soma Nomaoi," a traditional event in the Soma region of Fukushima Prefecture with a history of over 1,000 years, was held from May 24 to 26. Warriors in armor and helmets on horseback walked through the town and competed to capture flags. Starting this time, a participation rule requiring women to be "unmarried and under 20 years old" was removed. Eight women aged at least 20 years old participated. Japanese original Easy Japanese news is taken from the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun, a newspaper for children. This is perfect material for anyone studying Japanese who has learned hiragana and katakana. We encourage beginners to read the article in English followed by Japanese, or vice versa, to test their comprehension. A fresh set will be published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m., Japan time. Click/tap here for past installments. Intermediate learners who do not need English assistance can directly access the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun site here. Furigana (hiragana) is added to all kanji in the text.
