Events in Japan

Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival

Enjoy the warmth of an onsen in the middle of a winter wonderland.

Katsuyama Sagicho Festival

A 300-year-old fire festival with moving stages and live performances.

Osaka Marathon 2024

Pound the asphalt or cheer from the sidelines at the Osaka Marathon 2024

Shigisan Tiger Festival

Attend a parade that features a portable shrine topped with a tiger and traditional Japanese instruments.

Zao Snow Monster Festival

While most snow festivals feature man-made sculptures, the snow monsters of Zao are entirely natural.

Kujuku Islands Oyster Eating Festival

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

Osaka Illuminage

See Osaka and Kobe come alight at this unique illumination event

Atami Plum Blossom Festival

Enjoy the early sights of plum blossoms blooming at the Atami Plum Blossom Festival

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

See early blooming cherry blossoms at Kawazu's annual flower festival.

Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival

One of Japan's deadliest festivals.

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

Omizutori Fire Festival

One of the oldest Buddhist ceremonies still performed today.

Sapporo White Illumination

See the snowy streets of Sapporo lit up with illuminations

Tagata Shrine “Penis” Festival

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

Osaka Asian Film Festival 2024

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

“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.

Kitano Odori

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

Inuyama Festival

Celebrate the blooming of the cherry blossoms at the Inuyama Festival

Shizuoka Matsuri

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

Kiyomizu-dera Spring Illuminations

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

Kyo Odori

A performance by the geiko and maiko of Kyoto's Miyagawachō district to welcome spring.

Maruyama Park Weeping Cherry Tree Illumination

The light-up event of the weeping cherry tree at Maruyama Park in Kyoto is a must-see annual tradition.