Cultural Festival Events in Japan

Shin-Umeda Osaka Summer Festival

Looking for a family-friendly festival in the heart of the city? The Shin-Umeda City Summer Festival features traditional Bon dances, kids' games, and exciting attractions.

Kinugawa Onsen Dragon King Festival

Watch as the Manto Mikoshi, a portable shrine glowing with ten thousand lanterns, parades through the night.

Nagoya Port Fireworks Festival 2025

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

Miyajima Kangen-sai Festival

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

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.

Horikawa Festival

The event features illuminated straw boat parades, lion dances, taiko drumming, and the grand Oyama (lion mountain) procession.

Hamamatsu Flying Dragon Festival

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

Koinobori at Ōboke Gorge

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

Soma Nomaoi Wild Horse Chasing Festival

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

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

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 …

Aoi Matsuri

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

Kankame-Inari Yomiya Festival

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

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 …

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.

Yabusame Shinji

See the beauty and grace of horseback archery up close

Saiku Daina and Night Parade of 100 Demons

Welcome the new year with a bit of family-friendly exorcism.

Worldwide Eisa Festival

Dance, they say, like nobody is watching. If that’s not your jam, go watch somebody else dance instead. Head down to Naha in Okinawa and experience the Worldwide Eisa Festival. This dance …