Cultural Festival Events in Japan

Miyajima Kangen-sai Festival

Kangen-sai is the largest and greatest annual festival held at the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima island.

Nagoya Port Fireworks Festival 2025

A small (just 3,000 fireworks), but scenic, fireworks festival.

Ito Matsukawa River Tub Riding Race

This quirky race held since 1956 sees individuals in barrels paddle down the Matsukawa River in Ito City on the Izu Peninsula.

Abare Festival

The Abare Festival, also known as the "Fire and Violence Festival," is a fierce annual event in Noto, Ishikawa, featuring chaotic mikoshi rituals and fiery traditions.

Tōhoku Kizuna Festival

This festival creates a fun and vibrant atmosphere through various stage events and local food stalls.

Koinobori at Ōboke Gorge

View the iconic koi carp streamers hanging above Yoshino River at Ōboke Gorge.

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.

Soma Nomaoi Wild Horse Chasing Festival

A traditional festival showcasing military skills and horseback riding in Fukushima.

Hamamatsu Flying Dragon Festival

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

Kamogawa Odori

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

Sendai Aoba Festival

Every May, as Sendai’s zelkova trees turn green, the Sendai Aoba Festival takes center stage. Rooted in the legacy of the Date clan, this annual event is one of the city’s most significant …

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.

Kamo Kurabeuma Horse Racing Ritual

The Kamo Kurabeuma Horse Racing Ritual at Kamigamo Shrine is an ancient celebration featuring sacred horse races and traditional rituals.

Mamada Snake Festival

At the Mamada Snake Festival, giant handmade snakes move through town in a ritual to bring rain and good harvests. The festival’s high point? A spirited water ceremony where the snakes end up in …

Yabusame Shinji

See the beauty and grace of horseback archery up close

Miyako Odori Geiko Performance

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.

Kyo Odori

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

Heian Jingu Reisai Festival

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

Imamiya Shrine Yasurai Festival

Step under the flowers and shake off bad luck at Kyoto’s Yasurai Festival, one of the city’s three most unusual traditional celebrations.

Nagoya Castle Cherry Blossom Festival

Nagoya's biggest spring festival will be taking place on the grounds of the famous Nagoya Castle.

Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival (April)

Watch a dynamic procession featuring a massive dragon puppet at the Seiryu-e Dragon Festival in Kyoto.

Kitano Odori

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