The ultimate guide to Japan travel

Cheapo Calendar

February

Early February
Miyajima Oyster Festival
Hiroshima
Feb 10, Friday
Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival
Akita
Feb 11, Saturday
Kasedori Festival
Yamagata
Feb 7–Feb 11
Iwate Snow Festival
Iwate
Feb 4–Feb 11
Sapporo Snow Festival 2023
Hokkaidō
Feb 10–Feb 12
Namahage Sedo Festival
Akita
Feb 11–Feb 12
Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival
Yamagata
Feb 9–Feb 12
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Hirosaki
Feb 11–Feb 12
Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival
Hokkaidō
Feb 11–Feb 12
Tadami Snow Festival
Fukushima
Feb 15–Feb 16
Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival
Akita
Feb 18, Saturday
Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Festival
Okayama
Feb 11–Feb 18
Otaru Light Snow Path 2023
Hokkaidō
Until the 19th
Shirakawago Winter Light-Up 2023
Gifu
Until the 19th
Lake Towada Winter Story of Light
Aomori
Feb 20, Monday
Ichiya Kanjo (One Night) Festival
Osaka
Feb 25, Saturday
Baikasai Plum Blossom Festival
Kyoto
Feb 25–Feb 26
Shigisan Tiger Festival
Nara
Until the 26th
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
Tochigi
Feb 26, Sunday
Osaka Marathon 2023
Osaka
Feb 25–Feb 26
Katsuyama Sagicho Matsuri
Fukui
Until the 27th
Zao Snow Monster Festival
Yamagata
Until the 28th
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
Shizuoka
From Early February
Kujuku Islands Oyster Eating Festival
Nagasaki
All month
Osaka Illuminage
Kobe, Osaka
All month
Atami Plum Blossom Festival
Shizuoka
From the 11th
Souriike Plum Blossom Festival
Aichi
All month
Sapporo White Illumination
Hokkaidō

March

Until Early March
Kujuku Islands Oyster Eating Festival
Nagasaki
Until the 5th
Osaka Illuminage
Kobe, Osaka
Until the 5th
Atami Plum Blossom Festival
Shizuoka
Until the 12th
Souriike Plum Blossom Festival
Aichi
Mar 12, Sunday
Nagoya Women’s Marathon
Nagoya
Mid March
Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival
Shiga
Until the 14th
Omizutori Fire Festival
Nara
Until the 14th
Sapporo White Illumination
Hokkaidō
Mar 10–Mar 19
Osaka Asian Film Festival 2023
Osaka
Mar 12–Mar 26
March Grand Sumo Tournament
Osaka
From Mid March
Okazaki Canal Boat Rides
Kyoto
From the 17th
Nijo Castle Sakura Festival 2023
Kyoto
From Mid March
Ninnaji Flower Festival
Kyoto

April

Early April
Inuyama Festival
Aichi
Until Early April
Shizuoka Matsuri
Shizuoka
Until the 9th
Kyo Odori
Kyoto
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
Until the 15th
Nijo Castle Sakura Festival 2023
Kyoto
Apr 14–Apr 15
Takayama Spring Festival
Gifu, Takayama
Apr 15–Apr 16
Heian Jingu Reisai 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
Apr 23, Sunday
Nagano Marathon 2023
Nagano
Late April
Nagasaki Tall Ship Festival
Nagasaki
Apr 29, Saturday
Kintaikyo Bridge Festival
Yamaguchi
Apr 29, Saturday
Kemari Festival
Nara
Until the 30th
Miyako Odori
Kyoto
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
Hokkaidō
From Mid April
Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival
Tochigi
From Mid April
Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Yamanashi
From the 18th
Fuji Delicious Food Festival
Yamanashi

May

May 3, Wednesday
Yabusame Shinji
Kyoto
Until the 3rd
Yuasa Andon Paper Lamp Stand Exhibition
Wakayama
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 Hari Dragon Boat Races
Naha, Okinawa
May 3–May 5
Hamamatsu Festival
Shizuoka
May 3–May 5
Hiroshima Flower Festival
Hiroshima
May 5–May 7
Osaka Comic Con 2023
Osaka
Until Early May
Ninnaji Flower Festival
Kyoto
Until Early May
Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival
Hokkaidō
May 15, Monday
Aoi Matsuri
Kyoto
Mid May
Kobe Festival
Hyogo
Mid May
Kankame-Inari Festival
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
Hokkaidō
Jun 22–Jun 24
Himeji Yukata Festival
Himeji, Hyogo
Jun 24, Saturday
Izawanomiya Otaue Festival
Mie
From the 30th
Aizen Festival
Osaka
From Mid June
Tanbo Art
Aomori

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
Until the 15th
Hakata Gion Yamakasa
Fukuoka
Mid July
Tonegawa Fireworks Festival 2023
Ibaraki
Mid July
Shirahama Fireworks Rally 2023
Wakayama
Mid July
Marine Festa in Kuchinotsu
Nagasaki
Late July
Kihoku Lantern Festival 2023
Mie
Jul 9–Jul 23
July Grand Sumo Tournament
Nagoya
Jul 22–Jul 23
Kiso Mikoshi Makuri Festival
Nagano
Late July
Shirahama Fireworks Rally 2023
Wakayama
Late July
The Japan International Birdman Rally
Shiga
Late July
Ono-Hiyoshi Shrine Sanno Festival
Ishikawa
Late July
Tobata Gion Yamagasa Festival
Fukuoka
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 Maizuru Chatta Festival
Kyoto
Late July
Minato Matsuri Firework Display
Wakayama
Late July
All Japan Selection Nagara River Chunichi Fireworks Display
Gifu
Late July
2023 Doshin/UHB Fireworks Festival
Hokkaidō
Late July
Kuwana Suigo Fireworks Festival
Mie
Late July
Nagasaki Port Festival
Nagasaki
From Late July
Beppu Fire Sea Festival
Oita
Until the 31st
Gion Festival 2023
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
Hokkaidō
All month
Tanbo Art
Aomori

August

Until the 1st
Sumiyoshi Matsuri
Osaka
Early August
Okazaki Fireworks Festival
Aichi
Early August
All Japan Fireworks Display
Gifu
Aug 2–Aug 3
Hirakawa Neputa Festival
Aomori
Until the 3rd
The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival
Niigata
Early August
Takabocchi Kogen Horse Race
Nagano
Early August
All Japan Fireworks Display
Gifu
Until the 5th
Kuroishi Neputa Festival
Aomori
Early August
Hikone and Kita-Biwako Great Firework Festival 2023
Shiga
Aug 6, Sunday
Hiroshima Toro Nagashi
Hiroshima
Early August
The Chikugogawa Fireworks Festival 2023
Fukuoka
Aug 3–Aug 6
Akita Kanto Festival
Akita
Until the 7th
Hirosaki Neputa Festival
Aomori
Until the 7th
Aomori Nebuta Festival
Aomori
Early August
Hinokuni Festival
Kumamoto
Early August
Shirahama Fireworks Rally 2023
Wakayama
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 12–Aug 15
Tokushima Awa Odori Festival
Tokushima
Until the 15th
Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival
Nagano
Mid August
Yoshinogawa Festival and Fireworks
Nara
Aug 15, Tuesday
Daimonji Okuribi
Nara
Aug 15, Tuesday
Hitoyoshi Fireworks Festival
Kumamoto
Aug 15, Tuesday
Shoro Nagashi Lantern Floating Ceremony
Nagasaki
Aug 16, Wednesday
Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi 2023
Kyoto
Mid August
Nagahama and Kita-Biwako Great Fireworks
Shiga
Mid August
Miyazu Toro Nagashi Fireworks
Kyoto
Aug 17, Thursday
Kumano Fireworks Festival
Mie
Until Mid August
Sapporo Summer Festival
Hokkaidō
Mid August
Shakado River Fireworks Festival
Fukushima
Mid August
Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival
Shiga
Aug 19–Aug 20
Summer Sonic Osaka 2023
Osaka
Late August
Shirahama Fireworks Rally 2023
Wakayama
Mid–Late August
Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival
Okinawa
Mid–Late August
Earth Celebration
Niigata
Late August
Omagari Fireworks Festival
Akita
Late August
Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival
Osaka
Late August
2023 Domannaka Matsuri
Nagoya
Late August
Shirahama Fireworks Rally 2023
Wakayama
All month
Tanbo Art
Aomori

September

Early September
National New Fireworks Games
Nagano
Early September
Uneme Festival
Nara
Sep 10–Sep 11
Jozenji Street Jazz Festival
Sendai
Mid September
Misawa Air Base Festival in Aomori
Aomori
Early–Mid September
Sasebo Seaside Festival, Nagasaki
Nagasaki
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
All month
Tanbo Art
Aomori
From Mid September
Karuizawa Momiji Festival
Nagano
From Early September
No Limit! Halloween at Universal Studios Japan
Osaka

October

Early October
Ujicha Ceremony
Kyoto
Until Early October
Tanbo Art
Aomori
Early October
Paantu Festival
Okinawa
Early October
Onomichi Lantern Festival
Hiroshima
Early October
Huis Ten Bosch Kyushu Ichi Fireworks Festival 2023
Nagasaki
Early October
Great Tug-of-War
Okinawa
Early October
Saiin Kasuga Shrine Festival
Kyoto
Early October
Otsu Hikiyama Festival
Shiga
Early October
Osaka Kitchenware Street Festival
Osaka
Early October
20th Kyoto Intercollegiate Festa
Kyoto
Oct 7–Oct 9
Nagasaki Kunchi Festival
Nagasaki
Early October
Osaka Mecha Happy Festival
Osaka
Early October
Hannan City Yagura Festival 2023
Osaka
Oct 9–Oct 10
Takayama Autumn Festival
Gifu, Takayama
Early–Mid October
Mammoth Flea Market Z (Autumn)
Aichi
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–Late October
2023 Kobe Port Fireworks Festival
Hyogo
Oct 22, Sunday
Kurama no Hi Matsuri
Kyoto
Late October
Jidai Matsuri: Kyoto’s Historical Parade 2023
Kyoto
Early–Late October
Kitano Odori
Kyoto
Late October
Miyazakijingu Festival 2023
Miyazaki
Late October
Kanazawa Marathon 2023
Ishikawa
From Late October
Shurijo Castle Revival Festival
Okinawa
All month
Karuizawa Momiji Festival
Nagano
All month
No Limit! Halloween at Universal Studios Japan
Osaka

November

Until Early November
Shurijo Castle Revival Festival
Okinawa
Nov 3, Friday
Hi-watari (Ritual Fire Walking) Festival at Daigan-ji Temple
Hiroshima
Early November
Nigohachi Festival
Shiga
Nov 2–Nov 4
Karatsu Kunchi Festival
Saga
Early November
Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival
Tochigi
Early November
Ube Festival
Yamaguchi
Until Early November
Karuizawa Momiji Festival
Nagano
Early November
Shitennoji Wasso Festival
Osaka
Early November
Ishigaki Island Festival
Okinawa
Early November
Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival
Tochigi
Until Early November
No Limit! Halloween at Universal Studios Japan
Osaka
Until the 10th
Gion Odori
Kyoto
Mid November
Tochigi Autumn Festival
Tochigi
Mid November
Arashiyama Momiji Festival
Kyoto
Mid November
Tokushima Yokai Festival
Tokushima
Mid November
Okinawa International Carnival
Okinawa
Late November
Mt. Fuji Marathon
Yamanashi
Nov 12–Nov 26
November Grand Sumo Tournament
Fukuoka
Nov 22–Nov 29
Izumo Taisha Kamiari Festival
Shimane
From Mid November
Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Illuminations
Kyoto
Until Late November
Kōrankei Momiji Festival
Nagoya
From Mid November
Minō Momiji Festival
Osaka
From Early November
Huis Ten Bosch Christmas Town
Nagasaki
From the 11th
Fukuoka Christmas Market and Illuminations
Fukuoka
From Early November
Saga Light Fantasy
Saga
From Early November
Festival of Lights Osaka
Osaka

December

Early December
2023 Naha Marathon
Okinawa
Until Early December
Minō Momiji Festival
Osaka
Early–Mid December
Himeji Castle Light-up
Hyogo
Dec 15–Dec 18
Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri
Nara
Early–Mid December
Kobe Luminarie 2023
Hyogo
Early–Late December
Illumi Eeru Iwaki
Fukushima
Until Late December
Huis Ten Bosch Christmas Town
Nagasaki
Until Late December
Glover Garden Night Illumination
Nagasaki
Early–Late December
Sendai Pageant of Starlight
Sendai
Until the 25th
Fukuoka Christmas Market and Illuminations
Fukuoka
Early–Late December
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
From Early December
Nankinmachi Lantern Fair
Hyogo
All month
Saga Light Fantasy
Saga
All month
Festival of Lights Osaka
Osaka

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
Early January
Maebashi Hatsuichi Daruma Festival
Gunma
Until Early January
Nankinmachi Lantern Fair
Hyogo
Until Early January
Saga Light Fantasy
Saga
Jan 8–Jan 12
Kyoto Toka Ebisu Festival
Kyoto
Jan 14, Sunday
Shittenoji Doya Doya Festival
Osaka
Jan 14, Sunday
Oni Hashiri: Ogres and Flaming Torches
Nara
Jan 14, Sunday
Dontosai Festival
Miyagi, Sendai
Jan 15, Monday
Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival
Nozawa Onsen
Jan 17, Wednesday
Miyoshi Bonden Festival
Akita
Late January
Chinese New Year Festivities
Hyogo, Kobe
Late January
Wakakusa Yamayaki
Nara
Until Late January
Festival of Lights Osaka
Osaka

February

Feb 3, Saturday
Dojima Yakushido Setsubun Omizukumi Festival
Osaka
Feb 3, Saturday
Heian Jingu Setsubun
Kyoto
Feb 2–Feb 3
Yasaka Shrine Setsubun
Kyoto

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

November

Early November
Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival
Tochigi

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