Festival Events in Japan

Jidai Matsuri: Kyoto’s Historical Parade 2025

This one's for the history buffs.

Nikkō Tōshogū Shrine Autumn Grand Festival

Experience the grandeur of the Shōgun's army.

Hannan City Yagura Festival 2025

See Japan's traditional yagura towers up close at this unique festival.

Kyoto Intercollegiate Festa

The Intercollegiate Festa is organized by the students of Kyoto.

Tanbo Art

See some of the largest forms of living art - fields grown into enormous murals.

Nagasaki Kunchi Festival

This vibrant celebration of Nagasaki's multicultural history is not to be missed.

Uneme Festival

A somber, but beautiful festival in Nara.

Kangetsu no Yube: Kyoto Full Moon Viewing

Float on a boat in a pond under a clear autumn moon.

Mozu Hachiman Shrine Autumn Festival

This annual Moon-Viewing Festival features the spectacular Futon Daiko — massive, beautifully adorned floats.

Dontsuku “Penis Festival”

A traditional fertility festival held in a small Shizuoka onsen town.

Zuiki Festival

Celebrate autumn in Kyoto with the Zuiki Matsuri at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, a vibrant festival filled with history, lively processions, and intricate portable shrines decorated with crops.

Misawa Air Base Festival in Aomori

Indulge in your love of planes and fighter jets with this annual festival.

Aizu Samurai Festival

Celebrate the Aizu Festival, featuring samurai processions, sword dances, and traditional performances.

Katakai Fireworks Festival

Experience the world’s largest firework and over 15,000 fireworks lighting up the sky across two spectacular nights.

Noboribetsu Hell Festival

Get ready to face demons as the Great Demon King Enma leads a fiery parade through Noboribetsu Onsen.

Kyoto Kyo No Tanabata

A look at the city’s most atmospheric summer events.

Minami-Mido Osaka Bon Dance

Osaka's biggest bon dance festival is back — and lovable mascot Button-kun will be making an appearance, too!

Yoshida Fire Festival

Things heat up at this annual fire festival close to Mount Fuji.

Shinjo Festival

Elaborate floats, portable shrines, judo, archery, and traditional dances — Yamagata's three-day Shinjo Festival is worth attending.

Earth Celebration

Head to Sado Island for a celebration of the Earth and its shades of beauty.

Nijō Castle NAKED Summer Festival 2025

The art collective NAKED are doing what they do best and turning another historical landmark into a fun, festival paradise.

Kyoto Sky Lantern Festival

Set off your own glowing, LED-powered lantern into the night sky at this Tanabata celebration. It's easily accessible from Kyoto Station.

Osaka Shitennōji Bon Festival

Celebrate Obon the traditional way at the Shitennōji Bon Odori Festival, taking place in Osaka this August.

Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival

Glowing goldfish put on a show in hopes of revitalizing this small village in Yamaguchi Prefecture.