Shittenoji Doya Doya Festival
See dozens of loincloth-clad men and boys doused in very cold water as they compete in teams for banknotes.
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Miyoshi Bonden Festival
Teams race to be the first to reach the shrine and onlookers also push to touch the special charms of this shrine.
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Kyoto Candlelight Concert: Best of Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli)
Warm up a chilly night with candlelight and your favorite songs from Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi.
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Togakushi Dondoyaki Fire Festival
A traditional Japanese New Years' festival to bring you some luck.
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Wakakusa Yamayaki in Nara
See an entire mountainside in Nara go up in flames as fireworks are launched behind it.
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Saikū Cultural Art Festival
★ Staff recommendationHot air balloons, a giant moon, and traditional performances from the past — welcome to the Saikū Cultural Art Festival.
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Kyoto Candlelight Concert: Best of Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli)
Warm up a chilly night with candlelight and your favorite songs from Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi.
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Kayabuki no Sato Snow Lantern Festival
An amazing chance to see a remote, snow-covered thatched village illuminated with hundreds of lanterns.
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Dojima Yakushido Setsubun Omizukumi Festival
Instead of bean-throwing, you toss joss sticks into a fire at this traditional Setsubun Festival.
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Shirakawago Winter Light-Up 2025
See a traditional Japanese village lit up bright on a cold winter's night.
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Yasaka Shrine Setsubun
Setsubun at Yasaka Shrine's is unusual because it features geiko, geisha from Kyoto.
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Noboribetsu Onsen “Naked Man” Festival
A steamy festival in the depths of the freezing winter
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Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival
Watch the magical sight of of dozens of paper balloons adorning the night sky.
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Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival
It gets very, very cold in the far north of Hokkaido, so what better place to have a festival with giant carved ice sculptures?
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Miyajima Oyster Festival
Chow down on cheap oysters at one of the most beautiful spots in Japan.
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Yamanakako Ice Candles Festival
See the spectacular scene of hundreds of ice candles being lit up.
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Mount Omuro Yamayaki
A traditional festival in which the old grass on Mount Omuro is burnt away to allow new grass to grow.
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Kasedori Festival
This unique festival gets its name from the straw coats worn by the participants.
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Sapporo
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