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.

Izawanomiya Otaue Rice Festival

Visit this festival to ensure a good harvest.

Himeji Yukata Festival

Join the locals dressed in yukata (light cotton summer robes) and hit the food stalls.

Chagu Chagu Umakko Horse Festival

Follow along a parade of horses as they trot from shrine to shrine in Morioka.

Tōhoku Kizuna Festival

This festival creates a fun and vibrant atmosphere through various stage events and local food stalls.

Yosakoi Soran Festival

Dancing in the streets, Sapporo-style.

Hiroshima Toukasan Yukata Festival

Time to break out your yukata and usher in the summer months.

Horikawa Festival

The event features illuminated straw boat parades, lion dances, taiko drumming, and the grand Oyama (lion mountain) procession.

Hamamatsu Flying Dragon Festival

Ever wanted to see the mystical dragons of the Nintendo Zelda games come to the life?

Mantō Mitama Festival

As the sun goes down, feast your eyes on thousands of lanterns and a traditional Japanese dance performed by 100 shrine maidens in red and white.

Sakata Festival

See giant lion head floats and unique wheeled floats.

Togyo 1,000 Samurai Procession

This procession takes place on the second day of the Nikkō Tōshōgū Shrine Grand Festival.

Kōbe Festival

The Kōbe Festival is a citywide festival.

Sendai Aoba Festival

Every May, as Sendai’s zelkova trees turn green, the Sendai Aoba Festival takes center stage. Rooted in the legacy of the Date clan, this annual event is one of the city’s most significant …

Aoi Matsuri

Expect to see men on horseback, ornate carts, and women in kimono.

Kankame-Inari Yomiya Festival

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

Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival

Celebrate sakura at Hokkaidō's top cherry blossom viewing spot.

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival 2026

One of Japan's best cherry blossom festivals.

Hamamatsu Festival

The Hamamatsu Festival celebrates the birth of children and falls on Children's Day (May 5).

Hiroshima Flower Festival

The Hiroshima Flower Festival is a lot more than a simple flower show.

Hakata Dontaku Festival

The most popular Golden Week festival.

Heijō-kyō Tenpyō Festival

Relive the days when Nara was the capital of Japan. Expect re-enactments, a noble banquet, parades, and more.

Spring Kemari Festival

This Nara festival features beautiful processions, rituals, and eventually a game of kemari.