Cultural Festival Events in Japan

Jozenji Street Jazz Festival

Sendai's streets filled with jazzy beats.

All Japan Kokeshi Festival

Celebrate the craftsmanship of Kokeshi dolls, a traditional Japanese wooden doll that has no arms or legs.

Yoshida Fire Festival

Things heat up at this annual fire festival close to Mount Fuji.

Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival

Glowing goldfish put on a show in hopes of revitalizing this small village in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Ono Hiyoshi Shrine Sanno Festival

Marvel at lion dances and demons at this unique festival with wonderfully unusual costumes.

Hamamatsu Flying Dragon Festival

Ever wanted to see the mystical dragons of the Nintendo Zelda games come to the life?

Mantō Mitama Festival

As the sun goes down, feast your eyes on thousands of lanterns and a traditional Japanese dance performed by 100 shrine maidens in red and white.

Kamogawa Odori

This is the last of Kyoto's spring geisha dances.

Sendai Aoba Festival

First held in 1655, the Sendai Aoba Festival takes place at the beginning of the warm season in early May. What happens? The Yoi Matsuri on Saturday night features the Suzume Odori, the Sparrow …

Kankame-Inari Yomiya Festival

See geisha entertain the locals at this very small festival in Kyoto.

Aoi Matsuri

Expect to see men on horseback, ornate carts, and women in kimono.

Yabusame Shinji

See the beauty and grace of horseback archery up close

Miyako Odori

Celebrate spring in Kyoto with the annual Miyako Odori, a performance by Kyoto's geisha.

Kintaikyo Bridge Festival

Enjoy the festival atmosphere at this traditional and years old recreation of the return of the Daimyo.

Heian Jingu Reisai Festival

This annual festival features an opportunity to see geiko (the geisha of Kyoto).

Kyo Odori

A performance by the geiko and maiko of Kyoto's Miyagawachō district to welcome spring.

Kitano Odori

The first of Kyoto's annual spring geisha performances, performed by the geiko and maiko of Kamishichen.

Tagata Shrine “Penis” Festival

Join this annual celebration of Tagata Shrine in Aichi and promote all things phallic.

Baikasai Plum Blossom Festival

Stunning plum blossom, tea ceremonies, and even Geisha make an unmissable event.

Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival

Watch the magical sight of of dozens of paper balloons adorning the night sky.

Noboribetsu Onsen “Naked Man” Festival

A steamy festival in the depths of the freezing winter

Kayabuki no Sato Snow Lantern Festival

An amazing chance to see a remote, snow-covered thatched village illuminated with hundreds of lanterns.

Yasaka Shrine Setsubun

Setsubun at Yasaka Shrine's is unusual because it features geiko, geisha from Kyoto.

Heian Jingu Setsubun

One of the best-known Setsubun festivals in Kyoto.