Festival Events in Japan

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Giant snow sculptures, light projections, fireworks, and hearty winter foods in one of Japan’s coldest cities. Learn what's in store at the Asahikawa Winter Festival

Radish Festival

Warm up this February at Ōhara’s Sanzen-in Temple, where locals serve steaming soup made from locally grown radish.

Mount Omuro Yamayaki

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

Mihara Daruma Festival

Festival food and daruma dolls aplenty. For a daruma market of historic proportions, there's none quite like Mihara City's annual Daruma Festival.

Iiyama Snow Festival

A relatively new addition to the annual winter event calendar.

Demon Festival on Mount Yoshino in Nara

Fancy a dance with a demon? Nara's Kinpusenji Temple offers a unique Setsubun experience with its annual Demon Festival.

Shirakawago Winter Light-Up 2027

See a traditional Japanese village lit up bright on a cold winter's night.

Beppu Tsurumi-Dake Cold Weather Competition

Test your mettle in quirky contests like icicle clinging and enjoy local flavors with a shochu guessing game.

Kayabuki no Sato Snow (Miyama Village) Lantern Festival

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

People-Throwing and Ash-Smearing Festival

Watch men get tossed into snow and behold the messy ash-smearing chaos.

Dontosai Festival

Put some heat into your winter and New Year with this steamy (in more ways than one!) festival.

Bad-Mouthing Festival

This bizarre New Year's Eve ritual, dating back to the Edo period, lets participants shout away their frustrations while trekking to the temple summit.

Kobe Christmas Market

This Kobe Christmas market has it all.

Izumo Taisha Kamiari Festival

Enjoy a different festival experience at this somber event.

Kōdai-ji Zen Temple Autumn Illuminations

Wander through beautifully lit gardens with stunning autumn leaves.

Needle Memorial Ceremony

Because your sewing needles work hard.

Minō Momiji Festival

Get the most out of Autumn with a trip to the Minō Momiji Festival.

Kōrankei Momiji Festival

Catch the colors of the autumn leaves at this traditional maple tree festival.

Japan Umeshu Festa

This festival shines a spotlight on plum wine.

Yatsushiro Myōken Festival

One of the oldest festivals in Japan with parades, performances, and costumes galore.

Shinno Festival

Local businesses and visitors come together to pray for health and prosperity.

Okinawa International Carnival

Samba, biker runs, live music, tug-of-war competitions, karate demonstrations, and much more.

Suminoe Art Beat

Celebrate creativity at Suminoe Art Beat in Osaka, featuring art, food, and a giant duck.

Yōkai Halloween Festival

Olive island takes a spooky turn.