NorthWest WaAkita Kanto Matsuri
Early-August festival where performers balance tall bamboo poles hung with lanterns.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Japan βΊ Onsen & Travel Directory βΊ Festivals and seasons
Festivals and seasons
Matsuri, cherry blossoms, autumn leaves and snow festivals, linked to official sites.
Festival dates and blossom forecasts shift every year. Always check the official site for this yearβs dates.
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
Early-August festival of giant illuminated paper floats paraded through Aomori city.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Arashiyama (Kyoto autumn leaves)
Classic autumn-leaf and spring-blossom district in western Kyoto.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Awa Odori (Tokushima)
Mid-August dance festival; Tokushima's streets fill with dancing groups.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Chichibu Night Festival
Early-December festival with lantern-lit floats and winter fireworks.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Gion Matsuri
Kyoto's July festival of Yasaka Shrine, famous for its towering yamaboko floats.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Hakata Gion Yamakasa
July festival in Fukuoka ending in a dawn race carrying one-tonne floats.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
Spring festival at Hirosaki Castle Park, one of Japan's best-loved sakura spots (usually late April).
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Kamakura (Yokote snow huts)
February snow-hut festival in Yokote, Akita.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
February-March festival of early-blooming Kawazu-zakura on the Izu Peninsula.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Nagaoka Fireworks Festival
Early-August fireworks over the Shinano River, among Japan's largest.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Nagasaki tourism (Lantern Festival)
Official Nagasaki tourism site covering the winter Lantern Festival and more.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Naha tourism (Great Tug-of-War)
Official Naha tourism site covering the October Great Tug-of-War and other events.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Owara Kaze no Bon
Early-September night dance festival in Yatsuo, Toyama, with haunting kokyu music.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Sanja Matsuri (Asakusa Shrine)
May festival of Asakusa Shrine, with portable shrines carried through the streets.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Sendai Tanabata Matsuri
Early-August star festival with huge paper streamers filling Sendai's arcades.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival
One of Tokyo's biggest summer fireworks shows, held in late July.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Takayama Festival
Spring and autumn festivals in Takayama with ornate floats and mechanical puppets.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri
Early-August dance parade with flower-decorated straw hats.
Source: Official website Β· Verified 2026-10-15
19 listings Β· updated 2026-10-15
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