July 2025 Events in Japan

Kinugawa Onsen Dragon King Festival

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

Kashiwazaki Sea Fireworks

This carefully choreographed fireworks display, set against the backdrop of the sea, is worth the trek.

Kuwana Suigo Fireworks Festival

Celebrates the completion of the Ise Bridge in 1934 by enjoying underwater fireworks and a festival atmosphere.

Notojima Kōda Fire Festival

This is one of Japan's biggest fire festivals.

Ono Hiyoshi Shrine Sanno Festival

Marvel at lion dances and demons at this unique festival with wonderfully unusual costumes.

Minato Maizuru Chatta Fireworks Festival

This event finishes with a display of fireworks launched from a ship in the bay.

Nagoya July Grand Sumo Tournament

The fourth of Japan's six largest Sumo tournaments in Nagoya.

Yamaguchi Gion Matsuri

The highlight of this festival is an elegant dance performed in heron costumes.

The Japan International Birdman Rally

People in human powered flying machines throw themselves off a jetty and into a lake.

Tobata Gion Oyamakasa Festival

See the tall Yamagasa floats illuminating the Tobata night.

Beppu Fire Sea Festival

See one of Kyushu's largest firework displays

Nagasaki Port Festival

A summer festival in one of Japan's most beautiful seaside spots.

Naoetsu Gion Festival

In July each year, there are a number of Gion festivals that happen throughout Japan (the most famous of which happens in Kyoto). This one happens in Joetsu City in Niigata. What happens? The …

Umeda Yukata Festival

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

Gion Festival 2025

Gion Festival is a month-long festival in Kyoto.

Kyoto Honganji Temple Bon Dance

Modern music meets traditional at this Bon Odori dance just north of Kyoto Station.

Sumiyoshi Festival

A three day festival at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine.

Kuroishi Neputa Festival

See the parade of floats at this beautiful festival

Sapporo Summer Festival

Home to the biggest beer garden in Japan.

Shirahama Fireworks Festival 2025

Held in Wakayama since 1948, this festival sees over 2,500 fireworks light up the sky.

Nijō Castle NAKED Summer Festival 2025

The art collective NAKED are doing what they do best and turning another historical landmark into a fun, festival paradise.

Kyoto Kyo No Tanabata

A look at the city’s most atmospheric summer events.

Van Gogh’s Home: The Painter’s Legacy, the Family Collection, the Ongoing Story

How did Van Gogh’s art survive to reach us today? Van Gogh’s Home traces the journey of his works.

Yayoi Kusama Print Works: Repetition and Proliferation

Explore Yayoi Kusama's transformative prints at this Kyoto exhibition showcasing around 330 works.