Events in Japan

Spring Kemari Festival

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

Kintaikyō Bridge Festival

Enjoy the festival atmosphere at this traditional and years old recreation of the return of the Daimyo.

Miyako Odori Geiko Performance

Celebrate spring in Kyoto with the annual Miyako Odori, a performance by Kyoto's geisha.

Heijō-kyō Tenpyō Festival

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

Yabusame Shinji

See the beauty and grace of horseback archery up close

Osaka Comic Con 2025

Find all your favorite anime, manga, and comics in one place.

Sanriku Fireworks Festival 2025

Watch the sky light up with 15,000 fireworks at this year’s Sanriku Fireworks Festival in Iwate Prefecture. What happens? The festival comes twice a year: once in spring and once in …

Nyanko Expo 2025

Join 300 popular feline-living artists from all over Japan at this large cat goods event in Osaka.

Hakata Dontaku Festival

The most popular Golden Week festival.

Hiroshima Flower Festival

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

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

One of Japan's best cherry blossom festivals.

Shinkawa Market Festival

Head to the Shinkawa Market Festival and see the fox's wedding parade.

Naha Hari Dragon Boat Races

Feel the beat of the drum at Okinawa's biggest dragon boat races

Kamo Kurabeuma Horse Racing Ritual

The Kamo Kurabeuma Horse Racing Ritual at Kamigamo Shrine is an ancient celebration featuring sacred horse races and traditional rituals.

Saku Hot-Air Balloon Festival

The Saku Balloon Festival fills the skies with colorful hot-air balloons during Golden Week.

Mamada Snake Festival

At the Mamada Snake Festival, giant handmade snakes move through town in a ritual to bring rain and good harvests. The festival’s high point? A spirited water ceremony where the snakes end up in …

Hamamatsu Festival

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

Ninnaji Flower Festival

See the cherry blossom festivals at Ninnaji Flower Festival.

Osaka Nemophila Festival

Two blues meet when a million nemophila flowers bloom in front of Osaka Bay.

Harapeko Circus Osaka

This Golden Week, over 40 of Kansai's most loved eateries gather at Tsurumi Ryokuchi.

Kōdai-ji Temple Spring Illuminations

Kyoto's Kōdai-ji Temple features one of the city's most stunning springtime illuminations, complete with projection mapping and Zen vibes.

Hiokayama Cherry Blossom Illuminations

Over 300 lanterns softly light a tunnel of blooming cherry trees at Hiokayama Park.

Osaka Castle Spring Festival

Make the most of sakura season at the Osaka Castle Spring Festival.

Kyotographie International Photography Festival

This international photography festival around Kyoto is a great way to discover compelling photography from Japan and around the world.