Written by Alexandra Ziminski
This month marks the start of summer fun, so grab your yukata and get ready for dance parades, processions, and rice festivals galore. Here’s a round-up of the best June events in Japan.
Whether you’re after dance performances or mud competitions, there’s something for everyone this month in Japan. Every prefecture has its own summer traditions and celebrations — all great to experience and unlikely to be similar to anything else you’ve seen.
For events in Tokyo and the surrounding area, head to our event listings on Tokyo Cheapo.
Kansai events
These are events in Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, Mie, and the surrounding areas.
Himeji Yukata Festival
HimejiSaid to be the oldest yukata festival in Japan, this event is the first official chance for the people of Himeji to don their summer outfits. There are hundreds of food and drink stalls to peruse, and yukata-wearers receive discounts at various local sites and attractions.
Izawanomiya Otaue Rice Festival
MieThis is one of the three major otaue (rice-planting) festivals in Japan and is recognized as an intangible cultural asset. Expect plenty of planting, as well as groups of men in loincloths scrambling to carry off a blue bamboo pole placed in a field.
Trivia: The mythology involves sharks visiting the shrine, so local fishermen suspend fishing on the day of the festival.
Aizen Festival
OsakaConsidered to be Osaka’s first major summer festival of the year, it’s also one of the prefecture’s three biggest — and a great spectacle if you don’t mind big crowds. The most popular event is the Hoekago Parade, where a lady is carried in a basket in a procession around Aizendo Temple.
Yanagidani Kannon Hydrangea Week
KyotoTake a hiking day trip from Kyoto City and see around 5,000 hydrangeas blooming on the mountainside. Don’t be fooled by the name, this event lasts the whole month of June.
Kanto events
These are events just outside of Tokyo, including Tochigi, Ibaraki, and the surrounding areas.
Takasaki City Rock Festival
TakasakiThis indoor rock festival is designed to shake the roof of venues all over Takasaki. From rock and classical fusion to indie bands, the festival is a great chance to discover upcoming acts in the Japanese rock scene.
Hokkaido events
Yosakoi Soran Festival
SapporoFilling Odori Park in Sapporo with crowds, the Yosakoi Festival has been a major event in the city since 1992. Look forward to teams of dancers performing energetically in bright costumes to drum-heavy music.
Tōyako Manga Anime Festa
Tōyako (Lake Toya) OnsenThis is one of the biggest cosplay events in Japan. The usually quiet town of Tōyako Onsen is filled with parades, exhibitions, and contests featuring die-hard cosplayers. It’s also known for its giant meetup of blinged-out anime cars.
Tōhoku events
These are events in Aomori, Miyagi, and the surrounding areas.
Chagu Chagu Umakko
Iwate
Watch as 100 elaborately dressed horses make their way between Onikoshi Sozen Shrine in Takizawa and Morioka Hachimangu Shrine. The horses are decorated with bells, leading to the name of the festival, which is an onomatopoeia of the sound they make as the horses walk.
Tanbo Rice Field Art
AomoriA chance to see some creative designs in rural Aomori. Depending on the time of year, the designs on the rice fields can be a brilliant green or a deep brown. Take a look at the official site for the current situation.
| At the door: ¥300 | ||
Hiroshima events
These are events in Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, and the surrounding areas.
Hiroshima Toukasan Matsuri
HiroshimaThis annual event is a yukata festival that marks the start of summer — which is when the lighter versions of kimono are worn. Large crowds of over 450,000 people will gather over the three days to receive blessings at Enryu-ji Temple.
Chūbu events
These are events in Nagano, Aichi, Fukui, Shizuoka, Yamanashi, and surrounding areas.
Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival
KanazawaThis spectacular festival celebrates the rich culture and old traditions of Kanazawa, which was once a major urban center of Edo-era Japan. The three days all have different schedules, with Saturday being the busiest.
Horikawa Festival
AichiThis festival features an evening procession of taiko drums and lantern-covered structures, as well as a huge tower being towed through the streets (including an impressive negotiation of power lines).
Mishima Skywalk Hydrangea Festival
ShizuokaSee thousands of hydrangeas and an iconic sky-high view of Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka. Conveniently located just 20 minutes by bus from Hakone, the Skywalk and its surroundings turn purple and blue during June for hydrangea season. There are also illuminations on certain days.
Kyūshū & Okinawa events
Kashima Gatalympics
SagaOne of the most unusual events in Japan, the Kashima Gatalympics is a muddy sports celebration taking place on the mudflats of the Ariake Sea. Including races and sumo wrestling, the competitions are open to locals and visitors alike and leave everyone covered head-to-toe in mud.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in June 2016. Last updated in May 2025 by Alex Ziminski.
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