Japan Events & Festivals Guide

Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late January to late February (about 3–4 weeks)

2027: Jan 30 – Feb 23

Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually late January to early March (about 6 weeks)

Sapporo Snow Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early February (about one week)

2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days

Otaru Snow Light Path

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually about one week in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11

Lake Toyako Long Run Fireworks Display

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

Usually every night from late April to October 31 (about 20 minutes from 20:45)

2026: Apr 28 – Oct 31 (held nightly; currently underway)

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June

2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days

Hokkaido Jingu Festival (Sapporo Matsuri)

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually June 14–16 (14th: eve festival, 15th: main festival, 16th: mikoshi procession)

Sapporo Summer Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)

Otaru Ushio Festival

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually Friday to Sunday in late July (3 days, with a grand fireworks display on the final night)

Hakodate Port Festival

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually August 1–5 (fireworks on the first day, parades on the 2nd and 3rd)

Noboribetsu Jigoku Matsuri (Hell Festival)

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

Usually a Saturday and Sunday in late August (2 days)

Sapporo Autumn Fest

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)

2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)

Sapporo White Illumination

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)

2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)

Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late November to December 25 (about 1 month)

2026: Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 25 (Fri)

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually starts in late November to early December and runs until December 25

2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)

Yokote Kamakura Festival

Tohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen

From 2026, held every year on the second Friday and Saturday of February (the Friday and Saturday just before the Bonden events; changed to the second Friday and Saturday on a trial basis through 2029)

2027: Feb 12 (Fri) & Feb 13 (Sat)

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival

Tohoku ・ Hirosaki

Usually late April to early May (timed to the cherry blossom season; April 10 – May 5 in 2026)

2027: Apr 16 (Fri) – May 5 (Wed, holiday), 20 days

Spring Fujiwara Festival

Tohoku ・ Hiraizumi & Ichinoseki

Every year May 1–5

Akita Kanto Festival

Tohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen

Every year August 3–6 (night kanto on all 4 days; daytime kanto = Myogi Taikai skills competition on the 4th–6th)

Aomori Nebuta Festival

Tohoku ・ Aomori & Hakkoda

Every year August 2–7 (eve festival on August 1; night parades August 2–6; daytime parade, evening sea parade and Aomori Fireworks Festival on the 7th)

Morioka Sansa Odori

Tohoku ・ Morioka & Koiwai

Every year August 1–4

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Tohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima

Every year August 6–8 (Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival as the eve event on August 5)

Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera

Every year August 5–7

Zao Snow Monsters Light-up

Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera

The light-up is usually held on selected days from late December to late February (36 days between December 27 and February 22 in the 2025–2026 season). The best season for the snow monsters is late January to late February

SENDAI Pageant of Starlight

Tohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima

Usually December (December 5–28 in 2025)

Hakone Ekiden (Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip College Ekiden Race)

Tokyo & Around ・ Hakone

Every year on January 2 (outbound) and January 3 (return)

103rd race: Jan 2, 2027 (Sat) outbound, Jan 3 (Sun) return

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Izu

Usually early February to early March (about one month). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late February

Atami Fireworks Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Izu

Usually held a dozen or more times a year in spring (April–May), summer (July–August), autumn (September–November), and winter (December–February). Each show runs around 20:20–20:40 (from 20:15 in July and August)

Next show: Oct 25, 2026 (Sun), followed by Nov 8, Nov 23, Dec 6, Dec 25, and Feb 21, 2027 (all 20:20–20:40)

Tokyo Marathon

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually a Sunday in early March

2027: Mar 7 (Sun)

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes

Usually mid-April to late May (April 11 – May 24 in 2026; may vary with bloom conditions)

Bunkyo Azalea Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually around April 1–30 (the 55th festival was held April 1–30, 2026). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late April

Sanja Matsuri

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually mid-May, on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the third Saturday of May (May 15–17 in 2026, with the ceremony to install the deities in the mikoshi on the Thursday evening before)

Nikko Toshogu Shrine Grand Spring Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Nikko

Every year on May 17 and 18 (fixed dates as a Shinto ritual)

2027: May 17 (Mon) – May 18 (Tue)

Shimoda Hydrangea Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Izu

Usually June 1–30 (peak bloom mid- to late June)

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually the last Saturday of July (19:00–20:30)

Shiman-rokusen-nichi / Hoozuki Market

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Every year on July 9 and 10

Every year on July 9 and 10 (same dates in 2027)

Tokyo Koenji Awa-Odori

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually the last Saturday and Sunday of August (around 17:00–20:00)

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Annual Grand Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Kamakura & Enoshima

Every year September 14–16 (yabusame on the 16th)

Every year September 14–16 (same dates in 2027)

Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes

Usually early to late November (about 3–4 weeks). The leaves are usually at their best in early to mid-November

2026: Nov 7 (Sat) – Nov 29 (Sun)

Tori-no-Ichi

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually on the Days of the Rooster in November (2–3 days, 12 days apart). At Otori Shrine in Asakusa, it runs from midnight to midnight (0:00–24:00) on each Rooster Day

2026: two days, Ichi-no-Tori on Nov 7 (Sat) and Ni-no-Tori on Nov 19 (Thu) (no market on the days in between)

Marunouchi Illumination

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually mid-November to mid-February of the following year (about 3 months)

2026: Nov 12 (Thu) – Feb 14, 2027 (Sun)

Hagoita-ichi (Battledore Market)

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Every year December 17–19 (Senso-ji explicitly states "the three days from December 17 to 19")

2026: Dec 17 (Thu) – Dec 19 (Sat)

Shirakawa-go Winter Light-up

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Shirakawa-go

Usually a few days in January–February (fully reservation-only)

2027 (41st): 4 days, Jan 11 (Mon, holiday), Jan 17 (Sun), Jan 24 (Sun) & Jan 31 (Sun)

Inuyama Matsuri

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagoya

Usually the first Saturday and Sunday of April (Saturday is the Shigaku-sai, Sunday the Honraku-sai)

Spring Takayama Festival (Sanno Matsuri)

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Takayama

Every year April 14 and 15

2027: Apr 14 (Wed) – Apr 15 (Thu), 2 days

Yuki no Otani Snow Wall Walk (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route)

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Toyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Usually mid-April (the day the Alpine Route fully opens) to late June

Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Matsuri

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Kanazawa

Usually 3 days in early June (the Hyakumangoku Procession is on Saturday; June 5–7 in 2026, procession on June 6)

Gero Onsen Matsuri

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Gero Onsen

Every year August 1–4

Matsumoto Bonbon

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Matsumoto / Kamikochi

Usually the first Saturday of August

Owara Kaze no Bon

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Toyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Every year September 1–3

Nagoya Festival

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagoya

Usually a Saturday and Sunday in mid-October

2026 (72nd): Oct 17 (Sat) – Oct 18 (Sun), 2 days (no Nagoya Festival processions)

Autumn Takayama Festival (Hachiman Matsuri)

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Takayama

Every year October 9 and 10

2026: Oct 9 (Fri) – Oct 10 (Sat), 2 days

Wakakusa Yamayaki

Kansai ・ Nara

Usually the fourth Saturday of January (fireworks from around 18:15 in the evening, ignition around 18:30)

Kobe Luminarie

Kansai ・ Kobe & Arima Onsen

Usually about 10 days from late January to early February (lit from dusk to around 21:30)

2027 (32nd): Jan 29 – Feb 7

Baikasai (Plum Blossom Festival)

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Every year on February 25 (outdoor tea ceremony 10:00–15:00)

Every year on February 25 (Feb 25 in 2027)

Shuni-e (Omizutori) at Todai-ji Nigatsu-do

Kansai ・ Nara

Every year, March 1–14 (Otaimatsu nightly around 19:00; 19:30 on the 12th, 18:30 on the 14th)

2027 (the 1,276th): Mar 1 – Mar 14

Japan Mint Cherry Blossom Walk-Through (Sakura no Torinuke)

Kansai ・ Osaka

Usually 7 days in early to mid-April (dates set according to the bloom)

Aoi Matsuri

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Every year on May 15 (postponed to the 16th if it rains; if it also rains on the 16th, the procession is canceled). Preliminary rites such as Yabusame horseback archery (May 3) and the Saio-dai purification ceremony (May 4) are held in early May

2027: May 15 (held every year on May 15; postponed to the 16th if it rains)

Noryo Yuka / Kawadoko (Kamogawa & Kibune)

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Kamogawa Noryo Yuka usually runs May 1 – October 15, and Kibune Kawadoko usually runs May 1 – September 30 (season and hours vary by restaurant). In 2026, Kamogawa Noryo Yuka runs until October 15

Gion Matsuri

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Usually July 1–31 (Yamahoko procession: Saki Matsuri July 17, Ato Matsuri July 24; Yoiyama eves: Saki Matsuri July 14–16, Ato Matsuri July 21–23)

Tenjin Matsuri

Kansai ・ Osaka

Every year on July 24 (Yoimiya) and 25 (Hongu). Related events from late June

2027: Jul 24 (Yoimiya) & Jul 25 (Hongu) (held on the same dates every year)

Nachi Fire Festival (Nachi no Ogi Matsuri)

Kansai ・ Shirahama & Nanki

Every year on July 14 (held during the day; Yoimiya offering events are also held the day before, on the 13th)

2027: Jul 14 (held every year on July 14)

Gozan Okuribi (Kyoto Five Mountains Bonfires)

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Every year on August 16 (from 20:00)

2027: Aug 16 (Mon)

Koyasan Candle Festival (Mando Kuyo-e)

Kansai ・ Koyasan

Every year on August 13 (the candle festival runs from evening into the night; the Mando Kuyo-e memorial service starts at 20:00)

2027: Aug 13 (held every year on August 13)

Biwako Grand Fireworks Festival

Kansai ・ Lake Biwa

Usually a weekday evening in early August (about 1 hour)

Kishiwada Danjiri Festival

Kansai ・ Osaka

The September festival is usually on a weekend in mid- to late September, and the October festival on a weekend in early to mid-October (2 days each)

Next: 2026 October festival (Higashi-Kishiwada district and others), Oct 10 – Oct 11. The 2026 September festival was held Sep 19 – Sep 20

Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Every year on October 22 (postponed to the 23rd if it rains)

2026: Oct 22 (Thu). Postponed to Oct 23 if it rains

Annual Exhibition of Shōsōin Treasures

Kansai ・ Nara

Usually late October to early November (about 2–3 weeks)

2026 (78th): Oct 24 – Nov 9, open every day during the exhibition

Kanname-sai

Kansai ・ Ise & Shima

Usually October 15–17 (Geku first, then Naiku). Hatsuhobiki is usually on October 15 and 16

2026: Oct 15 – Oct 17 (Geku: night of Oct 15 – Oct 16; Naiku: night of Oct 16 – Oct 17)

Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri Festival

Kansai ・ Nara

Usually December 15–18 (the Owatari-shiki starts at noon on December 17)

2026: Dec 15 (Tue) – Dec 18 (Fri); Owatari-shiki on Dec 17 (Thu)

Kintaikyo Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Hagi, Tsunoshima & Akiyoshidai

Every year April 29 (Showa Day)

Hiroshima Flower Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Hiroshima & Miyajima

Every year May 3–5

Kangensai Festival at Itsukushima Shrine

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Hiroshima & Miyajima

Every year on the 17th day of the 6th lunar month (between July and early August on the modern calendar, depending on the year)

Awa Odori

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Tokushima, Naruto & Iya

Every year August 11–15

Tottori Shan-Shan Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Tottori

Every year August 13–15 (eve festival on the 13th, mass umbrella dance on the 14th, Civic Summer Fireworks Festival on the 15th)

Yosakoi Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Kochi & Shimanto

Every year August 9–12 (eve festival on the 9th, main festival on the 10th and 11th, national contest and after-party on the 12th)

Kotohiragu Shrine Annual Grand Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Takamatsu, Naoshima & Shodoshima

Every year October 9–11 (mikoshi procession on the night of the 10th, return procession on the night of the 11th)

2026 (Reiwa 8): Oct 9 (Fri) – Oct 11 (Sun); mikoshi procession from 21:00 on the 10th

Matsuyama Autumn Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Matsuyama & Dogo Onsen

Every year October 5–7 (Yoimiya on the 5th, main festival on the 6th, Honmiya on the 7th; the hachiawase in front of Dogo Onsen Station is early in the morning of the 7th)

2026: Oct 5 (Mon) – Oct 7 (Wed); hachiawase in front of Dogo Onsen Station early in the morning of the 7th

Kamiarisai at Izumo Taisha

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Izumo & Matsue

Every year on the 10th to 17th days of the 10th lunar month (varies by year on the modern calendar, usually around November)

2026: Nov 18 (Wed) Kamimukaesai – Nov 25 (Wed) Karasadesai

Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Kyushu ・ Nagasaki

Usually around February, at the time of the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) (17 days from February 5 to 21 in 2027)

2027: Feb 5 (Fri) – Feb 21 (Sun), 17 days

Arita Ceramic Fair

Kyushu ・ Karatsu, Arita & Ureshino Onsen

Every year April 29 – May 5

Hakata Dontaku Port Festival

Kyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu

Every year May 3 and 4 (eve festival on May 2)

Hakata Gion Yamakasa

Kyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu

Every year July 1–15 (the Oiyama race starts at 4:59 in the early morning of the 15th)

Hojoya Festival at Hakozakigu Shrine

Kyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu

Every year September 12–18

Nagasaki Kunchi

Kyushu ・ Nagasaki

Every year October 7–9

2026: Oct 7 (Wed) – Oct 9 (Fri), 3 days

Huis Ten Bosch Winter Illumination

Kyushu ・ Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch

Usually early November to late February

2026–27 season: Nov 6 (Fri) – Feb 25, 2027 (Thu)

Takachiho Yokagura (Night Kagura)

Kyushu ・ Takachiho

Usually mid-November to early February the following year (dates differ by village)

Ohara Festival

Kyushu ・ Kagoshima, Sakurajima & Ibusuki

Every year November 2 (Yoru Matsuri) and 3 (Hon Matsuri)

2026: Nov 2 (Mon) Yoru Matsuri & Nov 3 (Tue, holiday) Hon Matsuri

Karatsu Kunchi

Kyushu ・ Karatsu, Arita & Ureshino Onsen

Every year November 2–4 (Yoiyama on the 2nd, Otabisho Shinko on the 3rd, Yokujitsu-sai town tour on the 4th)

2026: Nov 2 (Mon) – Nov 4 (Wed), 3 days

Okinawa Pro Baseball Spring Camp

Okinawa ・ Naha

Usually February 1 to late February (the Yomiuri Giants' Naha camp runs from mid-February to early March)

Naha Hari (Dragon Boat Race)

Okinawa ・ Naha

Usually May 3–5 (Golden Week)

Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri

Okinawa ・ Naha

Usually three days, Friday to Sunday, on the weekend after the lunar Obon (late August to early September)

Naha Great Tug-of-War Festival

Okinawa ・ Naha

Usually the three-day weekend around Sports Day (formerly Health and Sports Day) in October. The tug-of-war is on the Sunday in the middle of the long weekend

2026 (56th): Oct 10 (Sat) – Oct 12 (Mon, holiday); Hatagashira procession and tug-of-war on Oct 11 (Sun)

NAHA Marathon

Okinawa ・ Naha

Usually the first Sunday of December

2026 (40th anniversary race): Dec 6 (Sun), 9:00 start