Written by Alexandra Ziminski
May is certainly busy in Japan, with a whole flurry of festivals just in the first few days (thanks to Golden Week).
Wherever you are, you’ll find something to see — be it a samurai procession, a boat race, or even a kite-flying competition.
For events in Tokyo and the surrounding area, please visit our listings on Tokyo Cheapo.
Kansai events
These are events in Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, Mie, and the surrounding areas.
Osaka Comic Con
OsakaThe enormously popular Tokyo Comic Con has sprouted a version for all the comic and celebrity fans of western Japan. While Japan has manga and anime festivals, the emphasis is on the authors and artists. The Western-style Comic Cons have a bigger emphasis on movie stars and of course franchises — like Star Wars and the Marvel Universe.
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Aoi Matsuri
Kyoto
One of the three most significant festivals in Kyoto, the Aoi Matsuri features a procession starting from the Imperial Palace and winding through the streets to the Kamo shrines. Over 500 participants dress in traditional clothing with hollyhock leaves. This includes an unmarried woman chosen to represent Saio (who, as the youngest female of the Imperial family, was the high priestess of the Kamo shrines).
Kamogawa Odori
KyotoYour final chance to see one of the city’s annual geisha performances, this show features geiko and maiko from the Pontocho area of Kyoto. It takes place in a small theater built specifically for this event, which is said to make it one of the most intimate of the shows. You can choose tickets with or without a maiko tea ceremony included.
Heijokyo Tempyo Sai Festival
NaraWith a history dating back 1,300 years, this festival celebrates the days when Nara was the capital of Japan. There are re-enactments of parades and children’s workshops — making it a great family event.
Kyotographie International Photography Festival
KyotoKyoto and photography merge to create Kyotographie, one of Japan’s largest international photo festivals. Kyotographie has been held in Kyoto since 2013 and is a photography festival that harmonizes with the city.
Mifune Festival
Kyoto
Taking place on the Katsura River in Arashiyama, Kyoto, the Mifune Festival is a sight to behold. Traditional and highly decorative boats carry performers and musicians as they put on a show, with audiences seated on the banks. The festival is an extension of the Kurumazaki Shrine Grand Festival and means the “three boat festival”.
Kobe Festival
KobeThis bright and energetic festival takes place over two days, with separate celebrations in the nine wards of the city on the first day. On Sunday, there is a big parade along Sannomiya Road from noon.
Kaname Inari Festival
KyotoHeld at a shrine so small it isn’t even on Google Maps, this festival is a fantastic opportunity to see the geiko and maiko of Kyoto (called geisha in Tokyo). On the first evening, the geiko and maiko will entertain with games and drinks, while on the second day there will be a traditional ceremony.
Kanto events
These are events just outside of Tokyo, including Tochigi, Ibaraki, and the surrounding areas.
Togyo 1,000 Samurai Procession
Nikkō, Tochigi
For samurai lovers, there’s only one place for you to be this month, and that’s Tochigi. Featuring 1,200 participants all dressed in full samurai costumes, the procession takes place on the second day of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine Grand Festival. They escort mikoshi to a hall in the shrine grounds, giving you an idea of what the shogun’s army may have looked like.
Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival
Ashikaga, TochigiAshikaga Flower Park’s annual Great Wisteria Festival is the place to see pretty purple wisteria — fuji-no-hana in Japanese — in all its glory. And also to see less common varieties in pink, white, and yellow. Basically, it’s a really big park with a lot of wisteria. Get tickets here.
Mamada Snake Festival
Mamada, TochigiOne of Japan’s more unusual events, the Mamada Snake Festival sees participants carry 15-meter-long snakes around town. Don’t worry, these aren’t some super pythons, but crafts made by local high-school kids.
Tōhoku events
These are events in Aomori, Miyagi, and the surrounding areas.
Sakata Festival
Sakata, YamagataHeld every year since 1609, this three-day festival features some equally impressive and terrifying floats, known especially for the giant lion heads. There will be 350 stalls selling festival favorites, and you’ll be able to enjoy a local festival that doesn’t get as many visitors as the bigger ones in Japan.
Sendai Aoba Festival
Sendai, Miyagi
First held in 1655, the Sendai Aoba Festival takes place at the beginning of the warm season, in early May. On Saturday night, you’ll get to see suzume odori, the sparrow dance, performed by thousands of dancers. On Sunday, many mikoshi shrines and large yamaboko floats are paraded down the city streets. Food, crafts, and various stalls will also be available.
Sanriku Fireworks Festival
Rikuzentakata, IwateAn impressive 15,000 fireworks go up into the sky over an unassuming town in Iwate Prefecture. This is an all-day event with performances and stalls from around midday. The display will launch in the evening at 7 p.m. Tickets are required.
Hiroshima events
These are events in Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, and the surrounding areas.
Shinkawa Market Festival
Ube, YamaguchiOne of the highlights of this local festival is the fox wedding parade. Watch as a traditionally dressed bride and groom have their faces painted like foxes and are paraded through the town on rickshaws.
Hiroshima Flower Festival
HiroshimaOffering more than the name suggests, the Hiroshima Flower Festival includes a yosakoi dance festival, a flower queen contest, parades, and illuminations at night. Over 100 teams compete in the yosakoi, and there will be stage performances too, so there’s certainly enough to keep you entertained.
Chūbu events
These are events in Nagano, Aichi, Fukui, Shizuoka, Yamanashi, and surrounding areas.
Hamamatsu Festival
Hamamatsu
A festival split in two, this event features some traditional elements alongside kite-flying. On all three days, in the early evening, a procession takes place near Hamamatsu Station, with floats resembling temples and carrying musicians close to Hamamatsu Station. There will be buses running to the kite-flying site from there.
Fuji Shibazakura
Yamanashi
This is a great time to see Fuji and enjoy the local delicacies. The shibazakura festival offers carpets of stunningly bright flowers. The moss phlox is known as the lawn cherry and is impressive, with or without Fuji in the background.
Kyūshū & Okinawa events
Hakata Dontaku Festival
FukuokaThis is thought to be the largest of the Golden Week festivals in Japan, drawing crowds from across the country. Famed for the extravagant costumes worn by the competing teams, the festival dates back to 1179 and was originally a celebration of the Chinese New Year. It was eventually banned for its perceived extravagance, but returned as the Dontaku Festival not long after.
Naha Hari Dragon Boat Races
Naha, OkinawaEvery May during Japan’s Golden Week, the Naha Hari transforms the Nahashin Port into a battle zone, as dragon boat teams compete in high-energy races. One of Okinawa’s biggest annual events, the Hari festival runs over three days and attracts more than 150,000 spectators. This is a wonderful time to visit the wharf to watch the races and enjoy the carnival atmosphere, with music, drumming, traditional dancing, and live entertainment.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in May 2016. Last updated in April 2025 by Alex Ziminski.
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