Cultural Festival Events in Japan

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.

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.

Kintaikyō Bridge Festival

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

Kyo Odori

The geiko and maiko of Kyoto's Miyagawachō district 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 Geisha Performance

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

Kyoto Hanezu Dance and Plum Festival

An enchanting festival with a dark backstory. Witness beautiful plum blossoms and a solemn dance at the Hanezu Odori Dance Festival in Kyoto.

Tagata Shrine Hōnensai “Penis Festival”

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

Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival (March)

The Seiryu-e Festival at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto celebrates the Blue Dragon, a guardian deity thought to protect the city’s east.

Hodare “Penis Festival”

On the second Sunday of March, a 2.2 meter tall phallic-shaped statue that weighs approximately 600kg is paraded around a small village in Niigata.

Akame 48 Falls Bamboo Lantern Workshop and Magical Lantern Festival

The perfect excuse to get out into the countryside of Mie. 2000 bamboo lanterns light up the valley in a stunning display.

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 …

Fiesta Mexicana Osaka 2019

Enjoy all that Mexico and Mexican culture has to offer at this three day festival. Entertainment will include well known mariachi bands, a marimba band, dancing groups and colorful costumes. No …