Matsuri Events in Japan

Suwa Onbashira Festival

Japan's most dangerous festival — several participants don't make it back home...

Tochigi Autumn Festival

Tochigi's autumn nights turn bright with festivities.

Karatsu Kunchi Festival

One of Saga Prefecture's oldest and most popular festivals with enormous floats.

Ishigaki Island Festival

Ishigaki Island plays host to a beautiful festival.

Ube Festival

The Ube Festival features parades, entrainment, food and more.

Miyazakijingu Festival 2025

Featuring a parade with traditional costumes and entertainment.

Jidai Matsuri: Kyoto’s Historical Parade 2025

This one's for the history buffs.

Kurama Fire Festival

Bonfires, torches, shrines, and gods are all out in the streets for this vibrant Kyoto festival.

Great Tug-of-War

The largest tug-of-war event in the world is held every year in Naha.

Takayama Autumn Festival

This festival is the fall edition of the Takayama Spring Festival.

Paantu Festival

A festival where locals dress as supernatural beings and aim to get mud on everything.

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.

Mozu Hachiman Shrine Autumn Festival

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

Nagasaki Kyoryuchi Festival

See how foreign influences have enriched Japanese culture at this festival

Kishiwada Danjiri Festival

Get ready for one of Osaka's rowdiest festivals.

Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival (Autumn)

A festival at the beautiful Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Gujō Odori Dance Festival

Experience the Gujo Odori dance festival, one of Japan's top three bon dance festivals and now a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Rich in tradition with plenty to see, this event is a …

Owara Kaze no Bon Dance Festival

Haunting night dances, traditional melodies, and a festive local vibe steeped in centuries-old traditions.

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.

Domannaka Festival 2025

The Domannaka Festival is the largest dance festival in central Japan.

Noboribetsu Hell Festival

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

Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi 2025

See the mountains light up with symbolic bonfires.

Sapporo Summer Festival

Home to the biggest beer garden in Japan.