The grand spring festival of Nikko Toshogu, the World Heritage shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. As a Shinto ritual, it is held on fixed dates every year, May 17 and 18. On the 17th, yabusame (horseback archery) is performed as an offering on the main approach, and on the 18th, the Procession of 1,000 Samurai Warriors — over 1,000 participants including armored warriors — travels up and down the approach.
PRKlookNikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls Day Tour (from Tokyo)A day bus tour with an English/Chinese-speaking guide, visiting Toshogu, the Irohazaka road, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls (lunch included)View on KlookPRKlookNikko Day Tour from Tokyo: World Heritage Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji (with Japanese Lunch)An approximately 10-hour day tour visiting Toshogu, Kegon Falls, and Lake ChuzenjiView on KlookThe Procession of 1,000 Samurai Warriors on the 18th recreates the procession that moved Ieyasu's spirit from Kunozan to Nikko. It's a spectacular sight as more than 1,200 participants — armored warriors and bearers of bows, spears, and matchlock guns — escort three mikoshi (portable shrines) up and down the roughly 1 km approach. The Yaotome and Azuma-asobi dances offered at the Otabisho are also well worth seeing.
May 17. From the "Festivals and Events" page on the Nikko Toshogu official website
May 17, at a special course on the main approach. The Toshogu official site lists 1:00 p.m., while the Tochigi Prefectural Tourism Association's 2027 listing shows 13:30–14:30
May 18. The Tochigi Prefectural Tourism Association's 2027 listing shows the mikoshi procession 11:00–11:40, the Otabisho rite 12:00–12:40, and the return 13:00–13:30
Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.
PRKlookNikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls Day Tour (from Tokyo)A day bus tour with an English/Chinese-speaking guide, visiting Toshogu, the Irohazaka road, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls (lunch included)View on KlookPRKlookNikko Day Tour from Tokyo: World Heritage Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji (with Japanese Lunch)An approximately 10-hour day tour visiting Toshogu, Kegon Falls, and Lake ChuzenjiView on KlookIn years when May 17–18 falls on a weekend, accommodation in Nikko and Kinugawa gets busy. If you plan to stay the night before, book early
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PR8.7Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Theme parkTokyo & Around ・ Nikko / Kinugawa
A cultural theme park that recreates an Edo-period townscape. Stroll through a town where staff dressed as villagers go about their lives, watch plays and ninja shows, and experience Edo culture firsthand. Popular with international visitors, it's a place to both watch and join in.
Theme parkTokyo & Around ・ Kinugawa
A miniature theme park in Kinugawa Onsen that recreates famous buildings and World Heritage Sites at 1/25 scale. With 102 structures from 22 countries and regions, you can feel like you're traveling around the world in about half a day. Dogs are also welcome.
JanuaryTokyo & Around ・ Hakone
Every year on January 2 (outbound) and January 3 (return)
103rd race: Jan 2, 2027 (Sat) outbound, Jan 3 (Sun) return
February–MarchTokyo & Around ・ Izu
Usually early February to early March (about one month). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late February
February–DecemberTokyo & 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)
March
April–MayTokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes
Usually mid-April to late May (April 11 – May 24 in 2026; may vary with bloom conditions)
AprilTokyo & 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
MayTokyo & 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)
June
JulyTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually the last Saturday of July (19:00–20:30)
JulyTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Every year on July 9 and 10
Every year on July 9 and 10 (same dates in 2027)
AugustTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually the last Saturday and Sunday of August (around 17:00–20:00)
SeptemberTokyo & Around ・ Kamakura & Enoshima
Every year September 14–16 (yabusame on the 16th)
Every year September 14–16 (same dates in 2027)
NovemberTokyo & 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)
NovemberTokyo & 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)
November–FebruaryTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually mid-November to mid-February of the following year (about 3 months)
2026: Nov 12 (Thu) – Feb 14, 2027 (Sun)
DecemberTokyo & 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)
Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.
Last checked: 2026-09-30
