Festival in Japan: A Vibrant Celebration of Culture and Traditions

Festivals in Japan are an explosion of color, culture, and centuries-old traditions. From sacred rituals to lively parades, each festival tells a unique story that reflects the nation’s rich heritage. 

This article explores 20 of the most popular and culturally significant festivals in Japan. You’ll find everything you need to plan your visit, including each event’s dates, locations, and highlights. 

To fully experience these top festivals in Japan this year, read our blog on how to Book Japan Visa Appointment and secure your visa on time.

1. Gion Matsuri

One of Japan’s most famous festivals, Gion Matsuri, takes place in Kyoto and is celebrated with grand floats, traditional music, and costumes. This festival originated over 1,100 years ago to appease the gods during a plague. The streets of Kyoto come alive with vibrant decorations and night markets, offering visitors an unforgettable cultural experience.

• Location: Kyoto
• When?: Entire month of July; main processions on July 17 and July 24
• Highlights: Grand floats called “Yamaboko,” street food, and traditional performances
• Other Details: A ticket is required for viewing some events, like the float assembly

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2. Awa Odori

This famous dance festival, held in Tokushima on Shikoku Island, showcases synchronized dancing and chanting. Groups of dancers in colorful yukata perform lively routines accompanied by traditional instruments like taiko drums and flutes. Awa Odori’s cheerful atmosphere attracts both participants and spectators, making it one of Japan’s most joyous celebrations.

• Location: Tokushima
• When?: August 12–15
• Highlights: Street parades, live performances, and dance workshops
• Other Details: Visitors can join in the dancing during designated hours

3. Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri)

Held in Hokkaido, the Sapporo Snow Festival transforms the city into a winter wonderland with intricate ice and snow sculptures. This annual event also features snow slides, food stalls, and live entertainment, making it a family-friendly celebration. The festival is a must-visit for anyone who loves winter activities and stunning art installations.

• Location: Sapporo, Hokkaido
• When?: Early February (exact dates vary annually)
• Highlights: Ice sculptures, snow slides, and nighttime illuminations
• Other Details: Admission is free for all major exhibits

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4. Tanabata Festival

Inspired by the legend of two star-crossed lovers, the Tanabata Festival is celebrated across Japan, with Sendai hosting the most famous event. Streets are decorated with colorful streamers and handmade ornaments, symbolizing good wishes for the year ahead. Visitors can write their wishes on small strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches for blessings.

• Location: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
• When?: 7th day of Lunar calendar’s 7th month (Coniciding roughly with August)
• Highlights: Ornate decorations, fireworks, and cultural performances
• Other Details: Some cities host earlier Tanabata celebrations in July

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5. Kanda Matsuri

One of Tokyo’s grandest festivals, Kanda Matsuri, celebrates prosperity and good fortune. Held in Tokyo, Kanda Matsuri is a grand Shinto festival featuring parades of mikoshi (portable shrines) and traditional performances. The highlight is the vibrant procession of portable shrines (mikoshi) carried through the streets, accompanied by traditional music and costumes. 

• Location:Kanda Shrine, Tokyo
• When?: Mid-May (alternating years)
• Highlights: Mikoshi parades, traditional costumes, and food stalls
• Other Details: The main parade passes through central Tokyo. The best viewing spots are along the parade route near Nihombashi

6. Nagasaki Lantern Festival

The Nagasaki Lantern Festival lights up the city with over 15,000 colorful lanterns to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The streets come alive with parades, lion and dragon dances, acrobatics, food stalls, and illuminated displays showcasing a blend of Japanese and Chinese cultures. The festival’s highlight is the magical Lantern Corridor, perfect for photo enthusiasts.

• Location: Nagasaki City
• When?: February (dates vary based on the lunar calendar)
• Highlights: Lantern displays, dragon dances, and cultural performances
• Other Details: Explore Chinatown for authentic Chinese dishes during the festival.

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7. Nebuta Matsuri

Held in Aomori Prefecture, the Nebuta Matsuri is a vibrant summer festival featuring giant illuminated floats, traditional music, and enthusiastic dancers. The floats, depicting legendary warriors and mythological figures, are paraded through the streets at night. The festival ends with a spectacular fireworks display over the harbor, making it a visual delight for visitors.

• Location: Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
• When?: August 2–7
• Highlights: Gigantic illuminated floats, traditional music, and fireworks
• Other Details: You can even join the parade by renting a costume!

8. Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival)

The Hadaka Matsuri is a unique and energetic festival where participants, dressed in traditional loincloths, compete to touch a sacred object for good fortune. This festival has deep religious significance and symbolizes purification and blessings for the year. Despite the chilly weather, the spirited participants create an electrifying atmosphere.

• Location: Okayama
• When?: Third Saturday of February
• Highlights: Intense competition, sacred rituals, and lively crowds
• Other Details: Visitors are welcome to observe, but participation is limited to men.

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9. Owara Kaze no Bon

This traditional festival in Toyama Prefecture is dedicated to wind gods, seeking protection from typhoons and a bountiful harvest. The event features graceful dancers dressed in beautiful kimonos and straw hats, moving in sync with haunting folk music. The serene atmosphere and candle-lit streets make this festival uniquely enchanting.

• Location: Yatsuo Town, Toyama Prefecture
• When?: September 1–3
• Highlights: Traditional dance, folk music, and candle-lit processions
• Other Details: Best enjoyed in the evenings for the full ambiance.

10. Setsubun

Setsubun, celebrated nationwide, marks the arrival of spring according to the lunar calendar. The festival includes a bean-throwing ceremony (“mamemaki”) to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. Temples and shrines host lively events where visitors can join the ritual and collect lucky beans.

• Location: Nationwide
• When?: February 3
• Highlights: Mamemaki ceremonies, temple events, and seasonal treats
• Other Details: Some temples invite celebrities to throw beans to large crowds.

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11. Chichibu Night Festival

A UNESCO-recognized event, the Chichibu Night Festival features ornate floats illuminated with lanterns, accompanied by fireworks and traditional music. Held in December, it is one of Japan’s most spectacular winter festivals. The festive atmosphere and stunning visuals make it a memorable experience.

• Location: Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture
• When?: December 2–3
• Highlights: Lantern-lit floats, winter fireworks, and traditional music
• Other Details: Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot for the fireworks.

12. Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus)

This quirky festival in Kawasaki celebrates fertility and is known for its playful atmosphere. The event features unique floats, phallic-shaped candies, and street food. Proceeds from the festival support HIV/AIDS awareness programs, adding a meaningful cause to the celebrations.

• Location: Kawasaki
• When?: First Sunday of April
• Highlights: Unique floats, themed treats, and a festive atmosphere
• Other Details: This festival is a great way to experience Japan’s fun and unconventional side.

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13. Aoi Matsuri

One of Kyoto’s oldest festivals, the Aoi Matsuri involves a grand procession of people dressed in Heian-era attire. The parade proceeds from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to the Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines, offering a glimpse into ancient Japanese customs. The festival’s name comes from the hollyhock leaves used to decorate participants and floats.

• Location: Kyoto
• When?: May 15
• Highlights: Traditional costumes, royal procession, and shrine rituals
• Other Details: The best viewing spots are near the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

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14. Takayama Matsuri

Celebrated in spring and autumn, the Takayama Matsuri is known for its intricately crafted floats adorned with lanterns and mechanical puppets. The floats are paraded through the streets of Takayama, a beautifully preserved Edo-period town. Visitors can also enjoy a serene evening procession, where the floats are illuminated with lanterns.

• Location: Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
• When?: April 14–15 (spring) and October 9–10 (autumn)
• Highlights: Elaborate floats, mechanical puppets, and night parades
• Other Details: The floats are displayed in a museum when not in use.

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15. Hakata Gion Yamakasa

A high-energy festival in Fukuoka, Hakata Gion Yamakasa involves teams racing through the streets carrying giant, elaborately decorated floats. This festival, which dates back 770 years, is a thrilling spectacle of speed and strength. The excitement reaches its peak during the final early-morning race.

• Location: Fukuoka
• When?: July 1–15
• Highlights: Float races, traditional costumes, and lively crowds
• Other Details: The best time to witness the action is during the final race.

16. Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri

Known for its daring float-pulling races, the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri showcases the strength and coordination of its participants. The floats, called “danjiri,” are pulled at high speeds through the streets, creating a thrilling spectacle. This festival is perfect for adrenaline junkies and those who love lively celebrations.

• Location: Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture
• When?: Mid-September
• Highlights: High-speed float races, vibrant costumes, and energetic chants
• Other Details: Spectator areas are set up along the main routes.

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17. Obon Festival

Obon is one of Japan’s most significant festivals, honoring the spirits of ancestors. Families gather to visit graves, light lanterns, and perform Bon Odori, a traditional dance meant to welcome the spirits. This festival is a mix of solemn rituals and joyous celebrations, with regional variations across Japan.

• Location: Nationwide (Kyoto’s Daimonji is a famous event)
• Date and Time: Mid-August (varies slightly by region)
• Highlights: Grave visits, Bon Odori dances, and floating lanterns
• Other Details: Kyoto’s Daimonji involves lighting giant bonfires on mountains.

18. Okinawa Eisa Festival

This vibrant festival in Japan celebrates Okinawa’s unique culture through traditional Eisa dance performances, which honor the spirits of ancestors. Local groups showcase energetic dances accompanied by rhythmic drumming, creating a festive and spiritual atmosphere. The event also features live music and delicious Okinawan cuisine.

• Location: Okinawa Prefecture
• When?: Late August
• Highlights: Eisa dance performances, drumming, and local food stalls
• Other Details: Visitors are encouraged to participate in the final dance.

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19. Tōrō Nagashi (Lantern Floating Festival)

Held to honor the spirits of the deceased, Tōrō Nagashi is a serene festival where lanterns are floated down rivers. The glowing lanterns symbolize the guiding lights for spirits returning to the other world. The festival creates a magical, tranquil atmosphere, especially at night.

• Location: Nationwide (Arashiyama in Kyoto is famous)
• When?: August 15–16
• Highlights: Floating lanterns, serene ambiance, and spiritual rituals
• Other Details: Visitors can purchase and float their own lanterns

20. Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival

Held along the Sumida River, this fireworks festival is one of Japan’s oldest and most famous. It features a spectacular display of colorful fireworks lighting up the summer sky, drawing massive crowds. Visitors often wear yukatas and enjoy traditional food stalls, creating a festive atmosphere.

• Location: Sumida River, Tokyo
• When?: Every Year on the Last Saturday of July
• Highlights: Dazzling fireworks, riverside views, and traditional summer attire
• Other Details: Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.

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FAQs

What are the most famous festivals in Japan?

Some of the most famous festivals include Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido, and Tanabata Festival in Sendai. Each festival showcases unique cultural traditions, art, and entertainment.

What should I wear to festivals in Japan?

Dressing depends on the season and festival. Summer festivals often require light, breathable clothing, while winter events like the Sapporo Snow Festival require warm layers. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.

How can I experience local Japanese food during festivals?

Festival food stalls, called “yatai,” are perfect for sampling local delicacies like takoyaki, yakisoba, and taiyaki. Some festivals also feature regional specialties.

When is the best time to visit Japan for festivals?

Spring (March to May) and summer (June to August) are ideal for attending festivals. Winter offers unique experiences like the Sapporo Snow Festival.

What are some traditional Japanese festivals?

Traditional festivals in Japan include Gion Matsuri, Awa Odori, and Kanda Matsuri. These events focus on Shinto and Buddhist traditions.