The ultimate guide to Japan travel

Cheapo Calendar

October

Oct 8, Saturday
Onomichi Lantern Festival
Hiroshima
Oct 8, Saturday
Huis Ten Bosch Kyushu Ichi Fireworks Festival 2022
Nagasaki
Oct 8–Oct 9
Otsu Hikiyama Festival
Shiga
Oct 9, Sunday
Osaka Kitchenware Street Festival
Osaka
Oct 9, Sunday
20th Kyoto Intercollegiate Festa
Kyoto
Oct 7–Oct 9
Nagasaki Kunchi Festival
Nagasaki
Oct 10, Monday
Osaka Mecha Happy Festival
Osaka
Oct 2–Oct 10
Hannan City Yagura Festival 2022
Osaka
Oct 9–Oct 10
Takayama Autumn Festival
Gifu, Takayama
Mid October
Saiin Kasuga Shrine Festival
Kyoto
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
Oct 17–Oct 22
2022 Kobe Port Fireworks Festival
Hyogo
Oct 8–Oct 22
Kitano Odori
Kyoto
Oct 22, Saturday
Kurama no Hi Matsuri
Kyoto
Oct 22, Saturday
Jidai Matsuri: Kyoto’s Historical Parade 2022
Kyoto
Oct 30, Sunday
Kanazawa Marathon 2022
Ishikawa
Oct 29–Oct 30
Miyazakijingu Festival 2022
Miyazaki
From the 29th
Shurijo Castle Revival Festival
Okinawa
All month
No Limit! Halloween at Universal Studios Japan
Osaka
All month
Setouchi Triennale 2022
Kagawa

November

Nov 3, Thursday
Hi-watari (Ritual Fire Walking) Festival at Daigan-ji Temple
Hiroshima
Until the 3rd
Shurijo Castle Revival Festival
Okinawa
Early November
Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival
Tochigi
Early November
Shitennoji Wasso Festival
Osaka
Nov 2–Nov 4
Karatsu Kunchi Festival
Saga
Until the 6th
No Limit! Halloween at Universal Studios Japan
Osaka
Until the 6th
Setouchi Triennale 2022
Kagawa
Early November
Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival
Shiga
Early November
Ube Festival
Yamaguchi
Early November
Ishigaki-jima Festival
Okinawa
Early November
Arashiyama Momiji Festival
Kyoto
Until the 10th
Gion Odori
Kyoto
Mid November
Tokushima Yokai Festival
Tokushima
Mid November
Okinawa International Carnival
Okinawa
Mid–Late November
Tochigi Autumn Festival
Tochigi
Mid–Late November
Izumo Taisha Kamiari Festival
Shimane
Late November
Kuwana Suigo Fireworks Festival
Mie
Nov 13–Nov 27
November Grand Sumo Tournament
Fukuoka
From Mid November
Naha Marathon, Okinawa
Okinawa
From Mid November
German Christmas Market
Osaka
From Late November
ROHM Illumination
Kyoto
From Early November
Hikari no Machi Christmas
Nagasaki
From Early November
Festival of the Lights Osaka
Osaka
From Mid November
Illumi Eeru Iwaki
Fukushima
From Early November
Saga Light Fantasy
Saga
From the 22nd
Sapporo White Illumination
Hokkaido

December

Early December
Mammoth Flea Market Z (Autumn)
Aichi
Until Mid December
Naha Marathon, Okinawa
Okinawa
Early–Mid December
Kobe Luminarie 2022
Hyogo
Dec 15–Dec 18
Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri
Nara
Early–Mid December
Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro – Illuminations
Kyoto
Until Late December
German Christmas Market
Osaka
Early–Late December
Glover Garden Night Illumination
Nagasaki
Until Late December
ROHM Illumination
Kyoto
Until Late December
Hikari no Machi Christmas
Nagasaki
Mid–Late December
Himeji Castle Light-up
Hyogo
From Mid December
Sendai Pageant of Starlight
Sendai
Until Late December
Festival of the Lights Osaka
Osaka
From the 31st
Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine
Kyoto
All month
Illumi Eeru Iwaki
Fukushima
All month
Saga Light Fantasy
Saga
From Early December
Nankinmachi Lantern Fair
Hyogo
From Early December
Lake Towada Winter Story of Light
Aomori
From Late December
Zao Snow Monster Festival
Yamagata
From Early December
Sakai Illuminage
Osaka
All month
Sapporo White Illumination
Hokkaido

January

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 Early January
Illumi Eeru Iwaki
Fukushima
Until Early January
Saga Light Fantasy
Saga
Until Early January
Nankinmachi Lantern Fair
Hyogo
Jan 8–Jan 12
Toka Ebisu Festival
Kyoto
Jan 14, Saturday
Oni Hashiri – Ogres and Flaming Torches
Nara
Jan 14, Saturday
Shittenoji Doya Doya Festival
Osaka
Jan 15, Sunday
Nozawa Fire Festival
Nozawa Onsen
Jan 17, Tuesday
Miyoshi Bonden Festival
Akita
Late January
Wakakusa Yamayaki
Nara
From Late January
Kayabuki no Sato Snow Lantern Festival
Kyoto
From the 15th
Shirakawago Winter Light-Up 2023
Okayama
All month
Lake Towada Winter Story of Light
Aomori
All month
Zao Snow Monster Festival
Yamagata
From Late January
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
Tochigi
All month
Sakai Illuminage
Osaka
All month
Sapporo White Illumination
Hokkaido

February

Feb 2–Feb 3
Yasaka Shrine Setsubun
Kyoto
Feb 3, Friday
Heian Jingu Setsubun
Kyoto
Feb 3, Friday
Dojima Yakushido Setsubun Omizukumi Festival
Osaka
Feb 3–Feb 4
Noboribetsu Onsen “Naked Man” Festival
Hokkaido, Noboribetsu
Until Early February
Kayabuki no Sato Snow Lantern Festival
Kyoto
Until Early February
Chinese New Year Festivities
Hyogo, Kobe
Early February
Miyajima Oyster Festival
Hiroshima
Feb 10, Friday
Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival
Akita
Early–Mid February
Iwate Snow Festival
Iwate
Early–Mid February
Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival
Hokkaido
Feb 4–Feb 11
Sapporo Snow Festival 2023
Hokkaido
Feb 11, Saturday
Kasedori Festival
Yamagata
Mid February
Tadami Snow Festival
Fukushima
Mid February
Namahage Sedo Festival
Akita
Early–Mid February
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Hirosaki
Until Mid February
Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2023
Nagasaki
Feb 15–Feb 16
Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival
Akita
Feb 11–Feb 18
Otaru Light Snow Path 2023
Hokkaido
Mid February
Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Festival
Okayama
Until the 19th
Shirakawago Winter Light-Up 2023
Okayama
Feb 20, Monday
Ichiya Kanjo (One Night) Festival
Osaka
Until Mid February
Lake Towada Winter Story of Light
Aomori
Feb 25, Saturday
Baikasai Plum Blossom Festival
Kyoto
Late February
Katsuyama Sagicho Matsuri
Fukui
Late February
Shigisan Tiger Festival
Nara
Until Late February
Zao Snow Monster Festival
Yamagata
Until Late February
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
Tochigi
From Early February
Kujuku Islands Oyster Eating Festival
Nagasaki
All month
Sakai Illuminage
Osaka
From Mid February
Souriike Plum Blossom Festival
Aichi
All month
Sapporo White Illumination
Hokkaido

March

Until Early March
Kujuku Islands Oyster Eating Festival
Nagasaki
Until Early March
Sakai Illuminage
Osaka
Early–Mid March
Higashiyama Hanatoro
Kyoto
Mid March
Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival
Shiga
Until Mid March
Souriike Plum Blossom Festival
Aichi
Until the 14th
Omizutori Fire Festival
Nara
Until the 14th
Sapporo White Illumination
Hokkaido
Early–Mid March
Osaka Asian Film Festival 2023
Osaka
Mid–Late March
March Grand Sumo Tournament
Osaka
From Mid March
Okazaki Canal Boat Rides
Kyoto
From Mid March
Nijo Castle Sakura Festival
Kyoto
From Mid March
Ninnaji Flower Festival
Kyoto

April

Early April
Inuyama Festival
Aichi
Until Early April
Shizuoka Matsuri
Shizuoka
Early April
Tightrope Lion Dance
Hyogo
Until Early April
Okazaki Canal Boat Rides
Kyoto
Early April
Kawanishi Genji Festival
Hyogo
Mid April
Hanabi Illusion 2023
Okinawa
Early–Mid April
Kyo Odori
Kyoto
Apr 14–Apr 15
Takayama Spring Festival
Gifu, Takayama
Apr 15–Apr 16
Heian Jingu Reisai Festival
Kyoto
Until Mid April
Nijo Castle Sakura Festival
Kyoto
Apr 9–Apr 17
Nagahama Hikiyama Festival
Shiga
Mid April
Okinawa International Film Festival
Okinawa
Mid April
Hiroshima Mint Cherry Blossom Viewing
Hiroshima
Mid April
Osaka Mint Bureau Cherry Blossom Viewing
Osaka
Until Late April
Miyako Odori
Kyoto
Late April
Nagasaki Tall Ship Festival
Nagasaki
Apr 29, Saturday
Kintaikyo Bridge Festival
Yamaguchi
Apr 29, Saturday
Kemari Festival
Nara
From the 29th
Yuasa Andon Paper Lamp Stand Exhibition
Wakayama
From the 23rd
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
Aomori
All month
Ninnaji Flower Festival
Kyoto
From Late April
Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival
Hokkaido
From Mid April
Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival
Tochigi
From Mid April
Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Yamanashi
From the 18th
Fuji Delicious Food Festival
Yamanashi

May

Until the 3rd
Yuasa Andon Paper Lamp Stand Exhibition
Wakayama
May 3, Wednesday
Yabusame Shinji
Kyoto
May 3–May 4
Hakata Dontaku Festival
Fukuoka
May 5, Friday
Shinkawa Market Festival
Yamaguchi
Until the 5th
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
Aomori
May 3–May 5
Heijokyo Tempyo Sai Festival
Nara
May 3–May 5
Naha Haarii Dragon Boat Races
Okinawa
May 3–May 5
Hamamatsu Festival
Shizuoka
May 3–May 5
Hiroshima Flower Festival
Hiroshima
Until Early May
Ninnaji Flower Festival
Kyoto
Until Early May
Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival
Hokkaido
Mid May
Kobe Festival
Hyogo
Mid May
Kankame-Inari Festival
Kyoto
May 15, Monday
Aoi Matsuri
Kyoto
Mid May
Mifune Festival
Kyoto
May 18, Thursday
Togyo 1,000 Samurai Procession
Tochigi
May 19–May 21
Sakata Festival
Yamagata
Until Late May
Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival
Tochigi
Until the 24th
Kamogawa Odori
Kyoto
Late May
Higashiomi Giant Kite Festival
Shiga
Until Late May
Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Yamanashi
Late May
Higashiomi Giant Kite Festival
Shiga
Until the 31st
Fuji Delicious Food Festival
Yamanashi

June

Early June
Kashima Gatalympics
Saga
Early June
Horikawa Festival
Aichi
Early June
Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival
Ishikawa
Mid June
Chagu Chagu Umakko
Iwate
Early–Mid June
Yosakoi Soran Festival
Hokkaido
Jun 24, Saturday
Izawanomiya Otaue Festival
Mie
Jun 22–Jun 24
Himeji Yukata Festival
Hyogo
Until the 30th
Osaka Comic Con 2023
Osaka
From the 30th
Aizen Festival
Osaka

July

Until the 1st
Aizen Festival
Osaka
Early July
Nagoya Port Fireworks Festival
Nagoya
Early July
Sake Spring Kyoto 2023
Kyoto
Mid July
Ise Shrine Dedication Fireworks Festival
Mie
Mid July
Tonegawa Fireworks Festival 2023
Ibaraki
Until the 15th
Hakata Gion Yamakasa
Fukuoka
Mid July
Shirahama Fireworks Rally 2023
Wakayama
Mid July
Marine Festa in Kuchinotsu
Nagasaki
Late July
Kihoku Lantern Festival 2023
Mie
Jul 22–Jul 23
Kiso Mikoshi Makuri Festival
Nagano
Early–Late July
July Grand Sumo Tournament (Nagoya)
Nagoya
Late July
Shirahama Fireworks Rally 2023
Wakayama
Late July
The Japan International Birdman Rally
Shiga
Late July
Tobata Gion Yamagasa Festival
Fukuoka
Late July
Ono-Hiyoshi Shrine Sanno Festival
Ishikawa
Late July
Hita Gion Festival
Oita
Jul 24–Jul 25
Tenjin Festival
Osaka
Jul 20–Jul 27
Yamaguchi Gion Matsuri
Yamaguchi
Late July
All Japan Selection Nagara River Chunichi Fireworks Display
Gifu
Late July
Minato Matsuri Firework Display
Wakayama
Late July
Minato Maizuru Chatta Festival
Kyoto
Late July
2023 Doshin/UHB Fireworks Festival
Hokkaido
Late July
All Japan Selection Nagara River Chunichi Fireworks Display
Gifu
Late July
Nagasaki Port Festival
Nagasaki
From Late July
Beppu Fire Sea Festival
Oita
Until the 31st
2023 Gion Festival
Kyoto
Late July
Shirahama Fireworks Rally 2023
Wakayama
From the 30th
Sumiyoshi Matsuri
Osaka
From the 30th
Kuroishi Neputa Festival
Aomori
From Late July
Sapporo Summer Festival
Hokkaido

August

Until the 1st
Sumiyoshi Matsuri
Osaka
Early August
Okazaki Fireworks Festival
Aichi
Early August
All Japan Fireworks Display
Gifu
Until the 3rd
The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival
Niigata
Aug 2–Aug 3
Hirakawa Neputa Festival
Aomori
Early August
Takabocchi Kogen Horse Race
Nagano
Early August
Hikone and Kita-Biwako Great Firework Festival 2023
Shiga
Early August
All Japan Fireworks Display
Gifu
Until the 5th
Kuroishi Neputa Festival
Aomori
Aug 3–Aug 6
Akita Kanto Festival
Akita
Early August
The Chikugogawa Fireworks Festival 2023
Fukuoka
Aug 6, Sunday
Hiroshima Toro Nagashi
Hiroshima
Early August
Shirahama Fireworks Rally 2023
Wakayama
Until the 7th
Aomori Nebuta Festival
Aomori
Early August
Hinokuni Festival
Kumamoto
Until the 7th
Hirosaki Neputa Festival
Aomori
Aug 4–Aug 8
Goshogawara Tachi-Neputa Festival
Aomori
Aug 6–Aug 8
Sendai Tanabata
Sendai
Mid August
Kameoka Hozugawa River Firework Display
Kyoto
Mid August
Kanmon Straits Fireworks Festival
Fukuoka, Yamaguchi
Early–Mid August
Nara Tokae
Nara
Aug 15, Tuesday
Daimonji Okuribi
Nara
Aug 15, Tuesday
Shoro Nagashi Lantern Floating Ceremony
Nagasaki
Until the 15th
Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival
Nagano
Aug 12–Aug 15
Tokushima Awa Odori Festival
Tokushima
Aug 15, Tuesday
Hitoyoshi Fireworks Festival
Kumamoto
Mid August
Yoshinogawa Festival and Fireworks
Nara
Aug 16, Wednesday
Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi 2023
Kyoto
Mid August
Miyazu Toro Nagashi Fireworks
Kyoto
Mid August
Nagahama and Kita-Biwako Great Fireworks
Shiga
Until Mid August
Sapporo Summer Festival
Hokkaido
Aug 17, Thursday
Kumano Fireworks Festival
Mie
Mid August
Shakado River Fireworks Festival
Fukushima
Mid–Late August
Summer Sonic Osaka 2023
Osaka
Mid–Late August
Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival
Okinawa
Late August
Shirahama Fireworks Rally 2023
Wakayama
Mid–Late August
Earth Celebration
Niigata
Late August
Omagari Fireworks Festival
Akita
Late August
Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival
Osaka
Late August
2023 Domannaka Matsuri
Aichi
Late August
Shirahama Fireworks Rally 2023
Wakayama

September

Early September
National New Fireworks Games
Nagano
Early September
Uneme Festival
Nara
Early–Mid September
Sasebo Seaside Festival, Nagasaki
Nagasaki
Mid September
Misawa Air Base Festival in Aomori
Aomori
Sep 10–Sep 11
Jozenji Street Jazz Festival
Sendai
Early–Mid September
Kangetsu no Yube: Full Moon Viewing
Kyoto
Sep 14–Sep 15
Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival (Autumn)
Kyoto
Mid September
Tonegawa Fireworks Festival 2023
Ibaraki
Mid September
Danjiri Matsuri
Osaka
Mid September
Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2023
Kyoto
Mid September
Beers of Japan Festival – Fukuoka
Fukuoka
Mid September
Nagasaki Kyoryuchi Festival
Nagasaki
Late September
Kansai Queer Film Festival 2023
Kyoto, Osaka

May

Late May
Higashiomi Giant Kite Festival
Shiga

July

Mid July
Tonegawa Fireworks Festival 2023
Ibaraki
Late July
All Japan Selection Nagara River Chunichi Fireworks Display
Gifu

August

Early August
All Japan Fireworks Display
Gifu