Events in Japan

Kujuku Islands Oyster Eating Festival

Feast on this winter delicacy that was fetched fresh from nearby waters.

Tsunan Snow Festival

Sky lanterns light up the night, snowboarders take on epic jumps, and local food stalls bring Niigata’s snow country to life at the Tsunan Snow Festival.

Souriike Plum Blossom Festival

Feast your eyes upon 5,100 individual plum trees and 25 different varieties at this quaint park in Aichi.

Nagoya Women’s Marathon

Pound the asphalt or cheer from the sidelines at the Nagoya Women's Marathon

Hodare “Penis Festival”

On the second Sunday of March, a 2.2 meter tall phallic-shaped statue that weighs approximately 600kg is paraded around a small village in Niigata.

Osaka Asian Film Festival 2025

See films from over a dozen different countries, at venues around Osaka (and online).

Sapporo White Illumination

See the snowy streets of Sapporo lit up with illuminations

Omizutori Fire Festival

One of the oldest Buddhist ceremonies still performed today.

Tagata Shrine Hōnensai “Penis Festival”

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

Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival

One of Japan's deadliest festivals.

“Light of Versailles” Winter Illumination

A winter illumination event involving fountains, water, and lots of lights.

Osaka March Grand Sumo Tournament

See Japan's top wrestlers have a go at it in Osaka.

Kiyomizu-dera Spring Illuminations

To celebrate the change to spring, Kiyomizu-dera will hold a night event to brighten up the foliage.

NAKED Hikone Castle Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

This nighttime event lights up the thousands of cherry blossoms at Hikone Castle near Lake Biwa.

Kōbe 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.

Grand Sumo Minoh Expo Tournament

Sumo Minoh Expo is one of the most highly-anticipated sumo events of the year.

Kitano Odori

The first of Kyoto's annual spring geisha performances, performed by the geiko and maiko of Kamishichen.

Shingen-kō Festival and Samurai Parade

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

Inuyama Festival

Celebrate the blooming of the cherry blossoms at the Inuyama Festival

F1 Japanese Grand Prix

Japan's premier motor racing event takes place at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture each year.

Shizuoka Matsuri

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

Nagoya Castle Cherry Blossom Festival

Nagoya's biggest spring festival will be taking place on the grounds of the famous Nagoya Castle.

Fukuoka Phantom Castle

See Fukuoka Castle shine in all its glory at this special illumination event happening between March and April.

Expo ’70 Sakura Expo

Expo '70 Commemorative Park is known for being one of Japan's top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots.