There are many festivals held around the country to celebrate art and tradition during this time. The Federal Lord's Procession, Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu, in Hakone is one of them. If you visit Hakone-town on this day, you see a long parade of people wearing historical costumes from the Edo era (about 400 years ago).
November 15 is Japanese shichi-go-san which means seven, five, and three in Japanese. This is not a national holiday but a traditional Japanese festival for children of seven, five, and three years old. Families visit shrines and pray for their children's healthy growth. Children put on their best clothes such as kimonos, dresses, and suits. They buy chitose-ame (long stick candies), which represents longevity there. If you visit almost any shrine or temple around this day, you see many dressed-up children.
November 23 is Labor Thanksgiving Day called kinro kansha no hi in Japanese. It's a national holiday, so schools and most of businesses in Japan are closed.
