Matsuri Events in Japan

Aoi Matsuri

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

Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival

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

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

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.

Spring Kemari Festival

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

Nagahama Hikiyama Festival

See children's kabuki performances atop floats.

Kawanishi Genji Festival

The Kawanishi Genji Festival celebrates a Japanese literary classic-"Tale of Genji".

Takayama Spring Festival

The Takayama Spring Festival is one of Japan's most famous festivals.

Inuyama Festival

Celebrate the blooming of the cherry blossoms at the Inuyama Festival

Shizuoka City Festival

The Shizuoka Festival is Shizuoka City's biggest spring festival.

Shingen-kō Festival and Samurai Parade

According to organizers, this is the largest samurai parade in the world.

Beppu Onsen Festival

Show your gratitude for some of Japan's most sought-after thermal waters at the Beppu Onsen Festival

Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival (April)

Watch a dynamic procession featuring a massive dragon puppet at the Seiryu-e Dragon Festival in Kyoto.

Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival

One of Japan's deadliest festivals.

Tagata Shrine Hōnensai “Penis Festival”

Join this annual celebration of Tagata Shrine in Aichi and promote all things phallic.

Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival (March)

The Seiryu-e Festival at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto celebrates the Blue Dragon, a guardian deity thought to protect the city’s east.

Omizutori Fire Festival

One of the oldest Buddhist ceremonies still performed today.

Inuyama Castle Town Local Sake Festival

Sample local sake and have a good time at the Inuyama Castle Town Local Sake Festival.

Osaka Miyoshi Nagayoshi Warrior Procession

Watch samurai battles, live performances, and a grand parade honoring the legendary warlord Miyoshi Nagayoshi in Osaka's Daito City.

Shigisan Tiger Festival

Attend a parade that features a portable shrine topped with a tiger and traditional Japanese instruments.

Ichiya Kanjo (One Night) Festival

A smaller, but unique festival in Osaka for fans of traditional Japanese culture

Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival

Magical, candle-lit hollowed out snow mounds, rice wine, and daifuku (rice cakes). What's not to love?