Festival Events in Japan

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 …

Mifune Festival

Gander at traditional boats floating down the river carrying musicians and performers.

Kankame-Inari Yomiya Festival

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

Osaka Nemophila Festival

Two blues meet when a million nemophila flowers bloom in front of Osaka Bay.

Ninnaji Flower Festival

See the cherry blossom festivals at Ninnaji Flower Festival.

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.

Naha Hari Dragon Boat Races

Feel the beat of the drum at Okinawa's biggest dragon boat races

Osaka Comic Con 2025

Find all your favorite anime, manga, and comics in one place.

Sanriku Fireworks Festival 2025

Watch the sky light up with 15,000 fireworks at this year’s Sanriku Fireworks Festival in Iwate Prefecture. What happens? The festival comes twice a year: once in spring and once in …

Kawanishi Genji Festival

The Kawanishi Genji Festival celebrates a Japanese literary classic-"Tale of Genji".

Okazaki Canal Boat Rides

See the beauty of cherry blossoms in bloom from the water.

Fuji-Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Take this chance to visit Kawaguchiko during cherry blossom season and be rewarded with an incredible view of Mount Fuji.

Nijo Castle Sakura Festival 2025

Tokyo-based art collective Naked once again has a hand in these stunning, seasonal illuminations.

Shingen-kō Festival and Samurai Parade

According to organizers, this is the largest samurai parade in the world.

Tsunan Snow Festival

Sky lanterns light up the night, snowboarders take on epic jumps, and local food stalls bring Niigata’s snow country to life at the Tsunan Snow Festival.

Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival

Enjoy the warmth of an onsen in the middle of a winter wonderland.

Atami Plum Blossom Festival

Enjoy the early sights of plum blossoms blooming at the Atami Plum Blossom Festival.

Katsuyama Sagicho Festival

A 300-year-old fire festival with moving stages and live performances.

Zao Snow Monster Festival

While most snow festivals feature man-made sculptures, the snow monsters of Zao are entirely natural.

Chinese New Year Festivities

Celebrate Lunar New Year in Kōbe.

Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival

Light up a cold winter's day with this lantern festival.

Mount Omuro Yamayaki

A traditional festival in which the old grass on Mount Omuro is burnt away to allow new grass to grow.

Sapporo Snow Festival 2025

See the beauty of winter at the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Yamanakako Ice Candles Festival

See the spectacular scene of hundreds of ice candles being lit up.