May 2025 Events in Japan

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.

Nyanko Expo 2025

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

Saku Hot-Air Balloon Festival

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

Hakata Dontaku Festival

The most popular Golden Week festival.

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.

Naha Hari Dragon Boat Races

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

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 …

Shinkawa Market Festival

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

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.

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.

Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival

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

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.

Kyotophonie Borderless Spring Festival

Kyotophonie brings a diverse lineup of music and art performances to Kyoto this spring.

Kyotographie International Photography Festival

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

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.

Kōbe Festival

The Kōbe Festival is a citywide festival.

Togyo 1,000 Samurai Procession

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

Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival

See the natural beauty of fields of wisterias at this mesmerizing display.