Festival Events in Japan

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.

Misato Plum Festival

Plum blossoms, ume snacks, and sweeping views. Misato’s plum season is unmissable.

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.

Lake Akan Ice Fireworks Festival

Winter joy and nightly fireworks on frozen Lake Akan.

Sky Kotatsu Osaka Ferris Wheel

The Osaka Wheel transforms into the Kotatsu Ferris Wheel, offering a cozy gondola ride complete with heated tables, warm oden, and hot sake.

Zao Snow Monster Festival

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

Chitose and Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

Make the most of the cold and savor winter at the Chitose and Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido.

Katsuyama Sagicho Festival

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

Yamanakako Ice Candles Festival

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

Tōkamachi Snow Festival

Experience the snowy splendor of Tōkamachi, Niigata.

Sapporo Snow Festival 2025

See the beauty of winter at the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Daito Ohara Water Festival

Getting soaked with freezing water while half-naked in the middle of winter? Catch Iwate’s Daito Ohara Water Festival.

Suita Fire Festival

Visit the Suita Fire Festival at Jōkō Enmanji Temple in Osaka for fire rituals, sacred smoke, and blessings for the year ahead.

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.

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.

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.

Chinese New Year Festivities

Celebrate Lunar New Year in Kōbe.

Shirakawago Winter Light-Up 2025

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

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.