The ultimate guide to Japan travel

Cheapo Calendar

December

All month
Huis Ten Bosch Christmas Town
Nagasaki
Until the 9th
Disney Music and Fireworks
Ibaraki, Miyazaki
Until the 11th
Himeji Castle Light-up
Hyogo
Dec 15–Dec 18
Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri
Nara
Dec 21, Thursday
Kōbe Candlelight Concert: Best of Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli)
Kōbe
Dec 23, Saturday
Osaka Candlelight Concert: Best of Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli)
Osaka
Dec 8–Dec 25
Sendai Pageant of Starlight
Sendai
Until the 25th
NAKED Yoru Mode at Heian Shrine
Kyoto
Until the 25th
Osaka Christmas Market
Osaka
Until the 25th
Glover Garden Night Illumination
Nagasaki
Until the 25th
Hakodate Christmas Fantasy
Hakodate
Until the 30th
Ramen Expo 2023
Osaka
Dec 31, Sunday
Huis Ten Bosch New Year Countdown
Nagasaki
From the 31st
Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine
Kyoto
All month
No Limit! Christmas at Universal Studios Japan
Osaka
All month
Illumi Eeru Iwaki
Fukushima
All month
Saga Light Fantasy
Saga
All month
Fukuoka Christmas Market and Illuminations
Fukuoka
From the 9th
Nankinmachi Lantern Fair
Hyogo
All month
Festival of Lights Osaka
Osaka
All month
Ashikaga Flower Park Illuminations 2023
Tochigi
From the 23rd
Zao Snow Monster Festival
Yamagata
All month
Osaka and Kōbe Illuminage
Kōbe, Osaka
All month
Sapporo White Illumination
Hokkaidō

January

Until the 8th
Huis Ten Bosch Christmas Town
Nagasaki
Until the 1st
Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine
Kyoto
Until the 3rd
Nijo-jo Castle Garden Special Opening
Kyoto
Until the 8th
No Limit! Christmas at Universal Studios Japan
Osaka
Until the 8th
Illumi Eeru Iwaki
Fukushima
Until the 8th
Saga Light Fantasy
Saga
Until the 8th
Fukuoka Christmas Market and Illuminations
Fukuoka
Until the 9th
Nankinmachi Lantern Fair
Hyogo
Early January
Maebashi Hatsuichi Daruma Festival
Gunma
Jan 8–Jan 12
Kyoto Toka Ebisu Festival
Kyoto
Jan 14, Sunday
Oni Hashiri: Ogres and Flaming Torches
Nara
Jan 14, Sunday
Dontosai Festival
Miyagi, Sendai
Jan 14, Sunday
Shittenoji Doya Doya Festival
Osaka
Jan 15, Monday
Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival
Nozawa Onsen
Jan 17, Wednesday
Miyoshi Bonden Festival
Akita
Late January
Chinese New Year Festivities
Hyogo, Kōbe
Jan 19–Jan 28
Kobe Luminarie 2023
Hyogo
Late January
Wakakusa Yamayaki
Nara
Until the 31st
Festival of Lights Osaka
Osaka
From Late January
Kayabuki no Sato Snow Lantern Festival
Kyoto
From Late January
Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2024
Nagasaki
All month
Ashikaga Flower Park Illuminations 2023
Tochigi
From the 14th
Shirakawago Winter Light-Up 2024
Gifu
From Late January
Lake Towada Winter Story of Light
Aomori
From the 20th
Lake Kawaguchiko Winter Fireworks
Yamanashi
All month
Zao Snow Monster Festival
Yamagata
All month
Osaka and Kōbe Illuminage
Kōbe, Osaka
From the 26th
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
Tochigi
From Early January
Atami Plum Blossom Festival
Shizuoka
All month
Sapporo White Illumination
Hokkaidō

February

Feb 2–Feb 3
Yasaka Shrine Setsubun
Kyoto
Feb 3, Saturday
Heian Jingu Setsubun
Kyoto
Feb 3, Saturday
Dojima Yakushido Setsubun Omizukumi Festival
Osaka
Feb 3–Feb 4
Noboribetsu Onsen “Naked Man” Festival
Hokkaidō, Noboribetsu
Until Early February
Kayabuki no Sato Snow Lantern Festival
Kyoto
Until Early February
Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2024
Nagasaki
Early February
Miyajima Oyster Festival
Hiroshima
Feb 10, Saturday
Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival
Akita
Feb 10–Feb 11
Tadami Snow Festival
Fukushima
Feb 11, Sunday
Kasedori Festival
Yamagata
Feb 4–Feb 11
Sapporo Snow Festival 2024
Hokkaidō
Mid February
Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival
Yamagata
Early–Mid February
Namahage Sedo Festival
Akita
Mid February
Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival
Hokkaidō
Early–Mid February
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Hirosaki
Until the 14th
Ashikaga Flower Park Illuminations 2023
Tochigi
Feb 15–Feb 16
Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival
Akita
Feb 10–Feb 17
Otaru Snow Light Path Festival 2024
Hokkaidō
Mid February
Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Festival
Okayama
Until the 18th
Shirakawago Winter Light-Up 2024
Gifu
Until Mid February
Lake Towada Winter Story of Light
Aomori
Feb 20, Tuesday
Ichiya Kanjo (One Night) Festival
Osaka
Until the 23rd
Lake Kawaguchiko Winter Fireworks
Yamanashi
Until the 25th
Zao Snow Monster Festival
Yamagata
Until the 25th
Osaka and Kōbe Illuminage
Kōbe, Osaka
Feb 25, Sunday
Baikasai Plum Blossom Festival
Kyoto
Until the 25th
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
Tochigi
Late February
Katsuyama Sagicho Festival
Fukui
Late February
Osaka Marathon 2024
Osaka
Late February
Shigisan Tiger Festival
Nara
From Early February
Kujuku Islands Oyster Eating Festival
Nagasaki
All month
Atami Plum Blossom Festival
Shizuoka
From Early February
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
Shizuoka
From Mid February
Souriike Plum Blossom Festival
Aichi
All month
Sapporo White Illumination
Hokkaidō
From Late February
Huis Ten Bosch Tulip Festival 2024
Nagasaki

March

Until Early March
Kujuku Islands Oyster Eating Festival
Nagasaki
Until Early March
Atami Plum Blossom Festival
Shizuoka
Until Early March
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
Shizuoka
Mid March
Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival
Shiga
Until Mid March
Souriike Plum Blossom Festival
Aichi
Mid March
Nagoya Women’s Marathon
Nagoya
Until the 14th
Omizutori Fire Festival
Nara
Until the 14th
Sapporo White Illumination
Hokkaidō
Mar 15, Friday
Tagata Shrine “Penis” Festival
Aichi
Early–Mid March
Osaka Asian Film Festival 2024
Osaka
Mar 10–Mar 24
Osaka March Grand Sumo Tournament
Osaka
From Mid March
Kitano Odori
Kyoto
From Late March
Kiyomizu-dera Spring Illuminations
Kyoto
From Late March
Shizuoka Matsuri
Shizuoka
From Late March
Maruyama Park Weeping Cherry Tree Illumination
Kyoto
All month
Huis Ten Bosch Tulip Festival 2024
Nagasaki
From Mid March
Okazaki Canal Boat Rides
Kyoto
From Mid March
Nijo Castle Sakura Festival 2024
Kyoto
From Mid March
Ninnaji Flower Festival
Kyoto
From Mid March
Koinobori at Ōboke Gorge
Tokushima

April

Until Early April
Inuyama Festival
Aichi
Until Early April
Kitano Odori
Kyoto
Until Early April
Kiyomizu-dera Spring Illuminations
Kyoto
Until Early April
Shizuoka Matsuri
Shizuoka
Until Early April
Maruyama Park Weeping Cherry Tree Illumination
Kyoto
Until Early April
Huis Ten Bosch Tulip Festival 2024
Nagasaki
Until Early April
Kyo Odori
Kyoto
Until Mid April
Okazaki Canal Boat Rides
Kyoto
Early–Mid April
Osaka Mint Bureau Cherry Blossom Viewing
Osaka
Until Mid April
Nijo Castle Sakura Festival 2024
Kyoto
Apr 14–Apr 15
Takayama Spring Festival
Gifu, Takayama
Mid April
Hanabi Illusion 2024
Okinawa
Apr 15–Apr 16
Heian Jingu Reisai Festival
Kyoto
Early–Mid April
Fuji-Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
Yamanashi
Mid April
Okinawa International Film Festival
Okinawa
Mid April
Kawanishi Genji Festival
Hyogo
Apr 9–Apr 17
Nagahama Hikiyama Festival
Shiga
Mid April
Hiroshima Mint Cherry Blossom Viewing
Hiroshima
Late April
Nagano Marathon 2024
Nagano
Late April
Nagasaki Tall Ship Festival
Nagasaki
Apr 29, Monday
Kintaikyo Bridge Festival
Yamaguchi
Apr 29, Monday
Spring Kemari Festival
Nara
Late April
Sanriku Fireworks Festival 2024
Iwate
Until Late April
Miyako Odori
Kyoto
From Late April
Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival
Hokkaidō
From the 19th
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
Aomori, Hirosaki
All month
Ninnaji Flower Festival
Kyoto
From Early April
Osaka Nemophila Festival
Osaka
From Mid April
Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival
Tochigi
From Mid April
Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Yamanashi
All month
Koinobori at Ōboke Gorge
Tokushima
From Mid April
Fuji Delicious Food Festival
Yamanashi

May

Until Early May
Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival
Hokkaidō
May 3, Friday
Yabusame Shinji
Kyoto
May 3–May 4
Hakata Dontaku Festival
Fukuoka
May 5, Sunday
Shinkawa Market Festival
Yamaguchi
Until the 5th
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
Aomori, Hirosaki
May 3–May 5
Heijokyo Tempyo Festival
Nara
May 3–May 5
Naha Hari Dragon Boat Races
Naha, Okinawa
May 3–May 5
Hamamatsu Festival
Shizuoka
Until Early May
Ninnaji Flower Festival
Kyoto
Until Early May
Osaka Nemophila Festival
Osaka
Early May
Osaka Comic Con 2024
Osaka
May 15, Wednesday
Aoi Matsuri
Kyoto
Mid May
Kankame-Inari Yomiya Festival
Kyoto
May 18, Saturday
Togyo 1,000 Samurai Procession
Tochigi
Until Late May
Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival
Tochigi
May 19–May 21
Sakata Festival
Yamagata
Mid–Late May
Sendai Aoba Festival
Sendai
Late May
Mifune Festival
Kyoto
Until the 24th
Kamogawa Odori
Kyoto
Late May
Kōbe Festival
Hyogo
Late May
Hamamatsu Flying Dragon Festival
Shizuoka
Late May
Mantō Mitama Festival
Hiroshima
Until Late May
Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Yamanashi
Until Late May
Koinobori at Ōboke Gorge
Tokushima
Until Late May
Fuji Delicious Food Festival
Yamanashi

June

Early June
Kashima Mud Gatalympics
Saga
Early June
Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival
Ishikawa
Early June
Horikawa Festival
Aichi
Early June
Tohoku Jibiiru (Craft Beer) Festival
Akita
Early June
Hiroshima Toukasan Yukata Festival
Hiroshima
Early June
Chagu Chagu Umakko Horse Festival
Iwate
Early–Mid June
Yosakoi Soran Festival
Hokkaidō
Jun 10–Jun 11
Hiroshima Flower Festival
Hiroshima
Jun 24, Monday
Izawanomiya Otaue Rice Festival
Mie
Late June
Tōyako Manga Anime Festa 2024
Hokkaidō
Late June
Himeji Yukata Festival
Himeji, Hyogo
From Late June
Aizen Festival
Osaka
From Early June
Tanbo Art
Aomori

July

Early July
Mt. Fuji Opening Fireworks Festival
Yamanashi
Until Early July
Aizen Festival
Osaka
Early July
Sake Spring Kyoto 2024
Kyoto
Until the 15th
Hakata Gion Yamakasa
Fukuoka
Mid July
Ise Shrine Dedication Fireworks Festival
Mie
Mid July
Corona Sunsets Festival 2024
Okinawa
Mid July
Nagoya Port Fireworks Festival 2024
Nagoya
Late July
Kihoku Lantern Festival 2024
Mie
Late July
Tobata Gion Yamagasa Festival
Fukuoka
Jul 22–Jul 23
Kiso Mikoshi Makuri Festival
Nagano
Mid–Late July
Hita Gion Festival
Oita
Late July
Minato Matsuri Fireworks Display
Wakayama
Late July
Ono Hiyoshi Shrine Sanno Festival
Ishikawa
Jul 24–Jul 25
Tenjin Festival
Osaka
Jul 20–Jul 27
Yamaguchi Gion Matsuri
Yamaguchi
Late July
Doshin/UHB Fireworks Festival 2024
Hokkaidō
Jul 14–Jul 28
Nagoya July Grand Sumo Tournament
Nagoya
Late July
Naoetsu Gion Festival
Niigata
Late July
Kuwana Suigo Fireworks Festival
Mie
Late July
Nagasaki Port Festival
Nagasaki
Late July
The Japan International Birdman Rally
Shiga
Late July
Beppu Fire Sea Festival
Oita
Late July
Minato Maizuru Chatta Fireworks Festival
Kyoto
Until the 31st
Gion Festival 2024
Kyoto
From the 30th
Sumiyoshi Festival
Osaka
From the 30th
Kuroishi Neputa Festival
Aomori
From Late July
Sapporo Summer Festival
Hokkaidō
From Late July
Nijō Castle NAKED Summer Festival 2024
Kyoto
From Mid July
Shirahama Fireworks Festival 2024
Wakayama
All month
Tanbo Art
Aomori
From Mid July
teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live – GC
Saga

August

Until the 1st
Sumiyoshi Festival
Osaka
Early August
Miyajima Kangen-sai Festival
Hiroshima
Until the 3rd
Nagaoka Fireworks Festival
Niigata
Aug 2–Aug 3
Hirakawa Neputa Festival
Aomori
Early August
Takabocchi Kogen Horse Race
Nagano
Early August
Okazaki Fireworks Festival
Aichi
Until the 5th
Kuroishi Neputa Festival
Aomori
Early August
Lake Kawaguchiko Fireworks Festival
Yamanashi
Early August
Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival
Osaka
Early August
Hikone and Kita-Biwako Great Firework Festival 2024
Shiga
Early August
Hinokuni Festival
Kumamoto
Early August
World Cosplay Summit 2024
Nagoya
Aug 6, Tuesday
Hiroshima Toro Nagashi Lantern Floating
Hiroshima
Aug 3–Aug 6
Akita Kanto Festival
Akita
Until Early August
Aomori Nebuta Festival
Aomori
Until the 7th
Hirosaki Neputa Festival
Aomori, Hirosaki
Early August
Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival
Shiga
Aug 6–Aug 8
Sendai Tanabata
Sendai
Aug 4–Aug 8
Goshogawara Tachi-Neputa Festival
Aomori
Mid August
Kameoka Hozugawa Fireworks
Kyoto
Mid August
Gifu Nagara River Fireworks Festival
Gifu
Mid August
Kanmon Straits Fireworks Festival
Fukuoka, Yamaguchi
Aug 13, Tuesday
Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival
Yamaguchi
Early–Mid August
Nara Tokae
Nara
Aug 15, Thursday
Hitoyoshi Fireworks Festival
Kumamoto
Aug 15, Thursday
Nara Daimonji Okuribi
Nara
Mid August
Yoshinogawa Festival and Fireworks
Nara
Aug 15, Thursday
Shoro Nagashi Lantern Floating Ceremony
Nagasaki
Mid August
Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival
Nagano
Aug 12–Aug 15
Tokushima Awa Odori Festival
Tokushima
Aug 16, Friday
Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi 2024
Kyoto
Until Mid August
Sapporo Summer Festival
Hokkaidō
Mid August
Miyazu Tōrō Nagashi Fireworks
Kyoto
Mid August
Kumano Fireworks Festival
Mie
Mid August
Earth Celebration
Niigata
Mid August
Summer Sonic Osaka 2024
Osaka
Until Mid August
Nijō Castle NAKED Summer Festival 2024
Kyoto
Late August
Senshu Fireworks Festival
Osaka
Late August
Shakado River Fireworks Festival
Fukushima
Late August
Omagari Fireworks Festival
Akita
Late August
Yoshida Fire Festival
Yamanashi
Late August
Domannaka Festival 2024
Nagoya
Late August
The Chikugogawa Fireworks Festival 2024
Fukuoka
Until Late August
Shirahama Fireworks Festival 2024
Wakayama
All month
Tanbo Art
Aomori
All month
teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live – GC
Saga

September

Until Early September
All Japan Kokeshi Festival
Miyagi
Early September
National New Fireworks Games
Nagano
Early September
Nagahama and Kita-Biwako Great Fireworks
Shiga
Early September
Jozenji Street Jazz Festival
Miyagi, Sendai
Early September
Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival
Okinawa
Early September
Nagasaki Sasebo Seaside Festival
Nagasaki
Early September
Misawa Air Base Festival in Aomori
Aomori
Sep 15, Sunday
Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival (Autumn)
Kyoto
Mid September
Tonegawa Fireworks Festival 2024
Ibaraki
Mid September
Kishiwada Danjiri Festival
Osaka
Mid September
Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2024
Kyoto
Mid September
Nagasaki Kyoryuchi Festival
Nagasaki
Mid September
Beers of Japan Festival
Fukuoka
Mid–Late September
Kansai Queer Film Festival 2024
Kyoto, Osaka
Late September
Uneme Festival
Nara
From Late September
Kangetsu no Yube: Kyoto Full Moon Viewing
Kyoto
All month
Tanbo Art
Aomori
From Mid September
Karuizawa Momiji Festival
Nagano
All month
teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live – GC
Saga
From Early September
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Japan
Osaka

October

Early October
Ujicha Ceremony
Kyoto
Until Early October
Kangetsu no Yube: Kyoto Full Moon Viewing
Kyoto
Early October
Paantu Festival
Okinawa
Early October
Huis Ten Bosch Kyushu Ichi Fireworks Festival 2024
Nagasaki
Early October
Onomichi Lantern Festival
Hiroshima
Early October
Mammoth Flea Market Z (Autumn)
Aichi
Early October
Kyotophonie Borderless Music Festival 2024
Kyoto
Early October
21st Kyoto Intercollegiate Festa
Kyoto
Early October
Otsu Hikiyama Festival
Shiga
Early October
Saiin Kasuga Shrine Festival
Kyoto
Early October
Great Tug-of-War
Okinawa
Early October
Osaka Kitchenware Street Festival
Osaka
Early October
Osaka Mecha Happy Festival
Osaka
Oct 7–Oct 9
Nagasaki Kunchi Festival
Nagasaki
Until Early October
Hannan City Yagura Festival 2024
Osaka
Until Early October
Tanbo Art
Aomori
Oct 8–Oct 10
Lake Akan Marimo Festival
Hokkaidō, Kushiro
Oct 9–Oct 10
Takayama Autumn Festival
Gifu, Takayama
Mid October
M Festival 2024
Gunma
Oct 14–Oct 15
Nada no Kenka Festival
Himeji, Hyogo
Oct 16–Oct 17
Shuki Taisai Grand Autumn Festival
Tochigi
Oct 16–Oct 17
Goryo Jinja Shrine Autumn Festival
Osaka
Mid October
2024 Kōbe Port Fireworks Festival
Hyogo
Oct 22, Tuesday
Kurama no Hi Matsuri
Kyoto
Late October
Jidai Matsuri: Kyoto’s Historical Parade 2024
Kyoto
Late October
Asagiri Jam 2024
Shizuoka
Late October
Shingen-kō Festival and Samurai Parade
Yamanashi
Late October
Kanazawa Marathon 2024
Ishikawa
Late October
Miyazakijingu Festival 2024
Miyazaki
All month
Karuizawa Momiji Festival
Nagano
All month
teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live – GC
Saga
All month
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Japan
Osaka

November

Nov 3, Sunday
Fire-Walking Ceremony at Daiganji Temple
Hiroshima
Early November
Nigohachi Festival
Shiga
Early November
Kagoshima Ohara Festival
Kagoshima
Early November
Midōsuji Runway
Osaka
Nov 2–Nov 4
Karatsu Kunchi Festival
Saga
Until Early November
Karuizawa Momiji Festival
Nagano
Early November
Shitennoji Wasso Festival
Osaka
Until Early November
teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live – GC
Saga
Early November
Ube Festival
Yamaguchi
Early November
Ishigaki Island Festival
Okinawa
Early November
Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival
Tochigi
Early November
Shurijo Castle Revival Festival
Okinawa
Until Early November
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Japan
Osaka
Until the 10th
Gion Odori
Kyoto
Mid November
Arashiyama Momiji Festival
Kyoto
Mid November
Fire-Walking Ceremony at Daishōin Temple
Hiroshima
Mid November
Tochigi Autumn Festival
Tochigi
Mid November
Tokushima Yokai Festival
Tokushima
Late November
Yatsushiro Myōken Festival
Kumamoto
Mid–Late November
Fukuoka November Grand Sumo Tournament
Fukuoka
Late November
Okinawa International Carnival
Okinawa
Late November
Mt. Fuji Marathon
Yamanashi
Late November
Izumo Taisha Kamiari Festival
Shimane
From Mid November
Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Illuminations
Kyoto
Until Late November
Kōrankei Momiji Festival
Nagoya

April

From Mid April
Setouchi Triennale 2025
Kagawa

May

All month
Setouchi Triennale 2025
Kagawa

June

All month
Setouchi Triennale 2025
Kagawa

July

All month
Setouchi Triennale 2025
Kagawa

August

All month
Setouchi Triennale 2025
Kagawa

September

All month
Setouchi Triennale 2025
Kagawa

October

All month
Setouchi Triennale 2025
Kagawa

November

Until Early November
Setouchi Triennale 2025
Kagawa