Matsuri Events in Japan

Suwa Onbashira Festival

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

Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival

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

Sendai Tanabata

One of the most famous Tanabata Star Festivals.

Tatemon Festival

The Tatemon Festival in Uozu, Toyama, showcases stunning lantern-lit floats, traditional music, and a community celebration, making it a must-visit summer event.

Aomori Nebuta Festival

Aomori City's most famous event.

Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

Celebrate the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, where over 10,000 dancers in vibrant attire bring the streets of Yamagata to life with traditional music and mesmerizing performances.

Yamaguchi Tanabata Lantern Festival

Don't miss this fantastic summer event, where thousands of lanterns, each lit by hand, illuminate the city.

Akita Kanto Festival

A parade of people balancing long, heavy poles-who wouldn't want to see that?

Yatori no Shinji Festival

Things heat up as 60 men rush towards the center of a pond to grab a limited 50 arrow-like talismans.

Hakodate Port Festival

The annual Hakodate Port Festival draws visitors wih lively fireworks, colorful parades, and the famous Squid Dance.

Nagaoka Fireworks Festival

Get ready for fireworks, float parades, and folk dance processions.

Hinokuni Festival

Enjoy one of Kumamoto City's summer festivals

Takatsuki Festival

Feel the community spirit and shake a leg at Osaka's Takatsuki Festival.

Sumiyoshi Festival

A purification ritual and portable shrine festival at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine.

Gion Festival 2027

Gion Festival is a month-long festival in Kyoto.

Umeda Yukata Festival

It's summer in the city, and Umeda's annual Yukata Festival is back.

Tobata Gion Oyamakasa Festival

See the tall Yamagasa floats illuminating the Tobata night.

Hita Gion Festival

See the enormous yamaboko floats parade around the historic town of Hita.

Beppu Fire Sea Festival

See one of Kyushu's largest firework displays

Tenjin Festival

Who isn't impressed by illuminated boats and fireworks?

Shin-Umeda Osaka Summer Festival

Looking for a family-friendly festival in the heart of the city? The Shin-Umeda City Summer Festival features traditional Bon dances, kids' games, and exciting attractions.

Notojima Kōda Fire Festival

This is one of Japan's biggest fire festivals.

Kinugawa Onsen Dragon King Festival

Watch as the Manto Mikoshi, a portable shrine glowing with ten thousand lanterns, parades through the night.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa

The Hakata Gion Yamakaka is one of Fukuoka's largest festivals.