Coming soon
Mie Prefecture・Iga City
Ueno Tenjin Festival
An autumn festival in Iga-Ueno, with an oni procession and 9 dashi parading through the streets
〜
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Fascinating festivals, unique cultures, and local competitions to get immersed in.
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Coming soon
Saga Prefecture・Imari City
Imari Tontenton Festival
A vigorous festival of mikoshi, dasha, and beating drums that brings color to autumn in Imari
〜
Coming soon
Okinawa Prefecture・Naha City
Okinawa Industrial Festival
3 days to discover local products and new innovations and learn about Okinawa's industries
〜
Coming soon
Iwate Prefecture・Ichinoseki City
Matsuriba events of the Murone Shrine Festival
The energy of an ancient festival passed down through generations, as 2 mikoshi race across Mount Murone
〜
Coming soon
Shimane Prefecture・Matsue City
Gatchi Festival
A peculiar autumn festival in Nonami, where demon-masked Gatchi purify the roads
Coming soon
Aichi Prefecture・Komaki City
Komaki Citizens Festival
An autumn festival of community connection, bringing people together across Komaki
〜
Coming soon
Aichi Prefecture・Gamagori City
Miya Festival
A 300-year-old festival rooted in Gamagori, where dashi travel through the sea
〜
Coming soon
Kyoto Prefecture・Kameoka City
Kameoka Festival
Walk through autumn in the old castle town and see the dashi adorned with decorative hangings at Kameoka Festival
6 more date periods
Wakayama Prefecture・Wakayama City
Zenniku-sai
A festival to explore the many meanings of meat and enjoy food and stage performances at Wakayama Castle
〜
Coming soon
Okayama Prefecture・Kurashiki City
Oto-shima Festival
Oto-shima's autumn festival, where lantern-lit floats climb the stone steps amid shouts
〜
Coming soon
Tokyo Metropolis・Chuo, Minato, and Koto wards
Tokyo Bay Great Fireworks Festival
The night sky over Tokyo Port lights up with fireworks for the first time in 11 years, viewed from off Harumi
Coming soon
Fukuoka Prefecture・Kitakyushu City
Kukinoumi Fireworks Festival
An autumn festival where music and fireworks come together over Dokai Bay
Coming soon
Hokkaido・Hakodate City, Otaru City, Hokuto City, Matsumae Town, Fukushima Town, Shiriuchi Town, Kikonai Town, Nanae Town, Shikabe Town, Mori Town, Yakumo Town, Oshamambe Town, Imakane Town, Setana Town, Shimamaki Village, Suttsu Town, Kuromatsunai Town, Rankoshi Town, Kimobetsu Town, Kyogoku Town, Kutchan Town, Kyowa Town, Iwanai Town, Tomari Village, Kamoenai Village, Niki Town, Obira Town
Matsumae Kagura
A sacred performing art of southern Hokkaido, passed down through priestly dances and music
2 more date periods
Aomori Prefecture・Towada City
World Yabusame Championship
Towada’s yabusame showdown, where galloping horses and archers’ skill come together
〜
Gunma Prefecture・Ota City
Ota City Yabuzuka Kakashi Festival
Compare handmade scarecrows and vote for your favorite in autumnal Yabuzuka
〜
Coming soon
Wakayama Prefecture・Kudoyama Town
Niugo-shōfu Festival
Kudoyama’s autumn festival, with banners and a mikoshi procession
Coming soon
Aomori Prefecture・Higashidori Village
Higashidori Village Industrial Festival
A flavorful industrial festival celebrating the bounty of Higashidori’s sea and land
Coming soon
Aomori Prefecture・Hirosaki City
Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival
A Hirosaki festival where chrysanthemums and autumn leaves brighten the season at the historic castle
〜
Tokyo Metropolis・Setagaya City
Setagaya Bread Festival
Two autumn days to discover bread from across Japan and explore Mishuku
〜
Coming soon
Aichi Prefecture・Toyohashi City
Toyohashi Festival
A Toyohashi autumn festival linking the spirit of Ee ja nai ka through dance and parades
〜
Wakayama Prefecture・Wakayama City
Odorun’ya: Kishu Yosakoi Festival
A yosakoi festival that brings color to the town with dance and food around Wakayama Castle
〜
Coming soon
Miyazaki Prefecture・Miyazaki City
Miyazaki Jingu Grand Festival
An autumn grand festival where the hōren palanquin and a colorful procession bring the streets of Miyazaki to life
〜
Coming soon
Nagano Prefecture・Suwa City
National New Fireworks Competition
New skills and ideas from up-and-coming fireworks artists compete in the night sky over Lake Suwa
4 more date periods
Coming soon
Gifu Prefecture・Gifu City
Hikari to Monogatari
A Halloween story told through fireworks, light, and music in the night sky above the Nagara River
Coming soon
Osaka Prefecture・Izumisano City
Osaka Geijutsu Hanabi
A moment of art created by music and fireworks on Izumisano’s seaside
Ibaraki Prefecture・Ibaraki Town
Ibaraki Matsuri
Ibaraki Town’s festival brings the town’s attractions together and paints the autumn sky with fireworks
Coming soon
Hiroshima Prefecture・Onomichi City
Betcha Festival
A festival tradition of prayer, with demon deities and a mikoshi traveling through the streets of Onomichi
〜
Yamaguchi Prefecture・Hikari City
Ooppai Matsuri
A day of connection, growing together in Hikari City, with children at the heart of it
Coming soon
Okinawa Prefecture・Miyakojima City
Kuicha Festival
A celebration of Kuicha, where Miyako Island’s traditions and creativity resonate together
Coming soon
Hokkaido・Sapporo City
Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival
The artistry of chrysanthemums brings color to Sapporo's autumn underground walkways
〜
Coming soon
Saga Prefecture・Karatsu City
Karatsu Kunchi
Three days of 14 dashi bringing color to Karatsu’s former castle town
〜
Coming soon
Kagoshima Prefecture・Kagoshima City
Ohara Festival
An autumn mass dance that fills the streets with Kagoshima folk songs and dance groups
〜
Coming soon
Gifu Prefecture・Tajimi City
Tajimi Festival
Tajimi’s autumn festival, featuring a warrior procession and parade
Coming soon
Shizuoka Prefecture・Fujinomiya City
Fujinomiya Autumn Festival
Fujinomiya’s autumn festival, where dashi and music bring Sengen Taisha Shrine to life
〜
Coming soon
Kyoto Prefecture・Ayabe City
Kisaichi Maruyama Kofun Festival
A day enjoying the views of Ayabe and the local festivities from atop the kofun
EDITOR’S PICKS
View all Festivals that caught our editors’ attention
The more you learn, the more you’ll want to go. Our recommendations.
HELLO, TODAY
Somewhere today,
Somewhere today,
Interesting festivals.
Make today different with a festival happening now.
2026/10/22
Happening now
Jidai Matsuri
A historical scroll of period costumes bringing the ancient capital to life
Happening now
Kurama Fire Festival
A traditional fire festival where blazing torches and mikoshi light up the Kurama night
Happening now
Iyo Mishima Taiko Festival(Day 3)
A festival where differently colored taikodai parade through Shikokuchuo in autumn
Happening now
Hakodate MOMI-G Festa(Day 7)
An autumn stroll through history and the light of Kosetsuen's fall foliage
Happening now
Lake Toya Long-Run Fireworks Festival(Day 178)
A scene of fireworks crossing the lake against the nightscape of the hot-spring town
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View all What kind of “fun” will you discover?
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Fukuoka Prefecture · Miyama CityGongenzan Hiko Shrine Otaue Festival Event, with Kayu Uranai
Did you know?
ONLY IN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
Wait, there are festivals like this?
Praying for a bountiful harvest in Miyama, with a sacred rice paddy marked out in green bamboo
An Otaue Festival passed down in Nagata, Setaka-machi, Miyama City, Fukuoka Prefecture, to pray for a bountiful harvest. A sacred rice paddy is represented in the shrine grounds, where boys playing the roles of young rice-planters offer a rice-planting dance.
FIND YOUR THEME
View all Festivals matching “Giant”
Discover festivals through the themes that interest you.
Coming soon
Kyoto Prefecture・Kameoka City
Kameoka Festival
Walk through autumn in the old castle town and see the dashi adorned with decorative hangings at Kameoka Festival
6 more date periods
Wakayama Prefecture・Wakayama City
Zenniku-sai
A festival to explore the many meanings of meat and enjoy food and stage performances at Wakayama Castle
〜
Coming soon
Gifu Prefecture・Gifu City
Hikari to Monogatari
A Halloween story told through fireworks, light, and music in the night sky above the Nagara River
Scheduled
Hiroshima Prefecture・Hiroshima City
Dai Inoko Festival
A festival in the heart of the city, where a large stone floats through the power of bamboo
〜
Hokkaido・Chitose City
Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Winter Ice Scenery Shaped by Lake Shikotsu Blue and Seven Colors of Light
〜
Hokkaido・Sapporo City
Sapporo Snow Festival
A winter festival that brings Sapporo to life with snow and ice sculptures
〜
Niigata Prefecture・Murakami City
Iwafune Grand Festival
An autumn grand festival featuring 9 dashi and Ofune-sama processing through a port town
〜
Ended
Wakayama Prefecture・Shingu City
Kumano Hayatama Festival
An autumn festival in Shingu, tracing Kumano’s faith through a sacred horse and boats
〜
Shiga Prefecture・Yasu City
Mikami Zuiki Festival
An autumn harvest thanksgiving in Yasu, shared through zuiki mikoshi and the traditions of the miyaza
Shizuoka Prefecture・Kakegawa City
Kakegawa Festival
The castle town of Kakegawa brought to life by dashi and lions, with a neighborhood festival passed down through generations
〜
Ended
Osaka Prefecture・Izumi City
Fuchu Danjiri Festival
An autumn festival as five neighborhoods’ danjiri race through Fuchu
〜
Kagawa Prefecture・Kanonji City
Toyohama Chosa Festival
An autumn festival that fills Toyohama with the sound of drums and lavishly decorated chosa
〜
Nara Prefecture・Ikoma City
Ikoma (Ikoma Imasu Ikoma Tsuhiko Shrine) Fire Festival
Ikoma’s traditional fire festival, where the sacred flame is passed on and north and south compete
〜
Ended
Saitama Prefecture・Konosu City
Kōnosu Fireworks Festival
Kōnosu’s enormous fireworks and Hōō Ranbu, echoing across the Arakawa riverbed
Ended
Ishikawa Prefecture・Hakusan City
Hōrai Festival
An autumn festival that fills Tsurugi’s streets with giant floats and a mikoshi
〜
Toyama Prefecture・Toyama City
Toyama Festival
A Toyama city-center festival enlivened by yosakoi and Etchū Owara
〜
Hokkaido・Chitose City
Indian Water Wheel Festival
A Chitose fall festival featuring salmon runs and the impressive water wheel
〜
Chiba Prefecture・Katsuura City
Katsuura Tairyo Matsuri
Four days linking Katsuura’s streets and harbor with mikoshi and dashi
〜
Ended
Hokkaido・Iwamizawa City
Furusato Hyappomochi Festival
An autumn festival that powerfully celebrates Iwamizawa’s harvest with a giant mortar
〜
Ended
Aomori Prefecture・Mutsu
Kawauchi Hachimangu Shrine Grand Festival
A festival where 5 large dashi parade through Kawauchi to music and lights
〜
Ended
Yamagata Prefecture・Yamagata City
Japan’s No. 1 Imoni Festival
Yamagata’s autumn flavors in a giant pot: the grand stage of imoni culture
Toyama Prefecture・Takaoka City
Tsukurimon Festival
A festival of creative transformations in Fukuoka-machi, where vegetables and flowers reflect the town’s memories
〜
Ishikawa Prefecture・Nanao City
Okuma-kabuto Festival
A traditional festival in Nakajima-machi, Nanao, featuring soaring deep crimson banners
Ended
Shizuoka Prefecture・Iwata City
Mitsuke Tenjin Hadaka Matsuri
The Mitsuke festival brought to life by bare-chested participants and a mikoshi procession through the night
〜
Ended
Okayama Prefecture・Okayama City
Bitchū Kagura
Experience Bitchū’s traditional performing art, with its mythological dramas and dances, at Korakuen Garden
Ended
Chiba Prefecture・Ichinomiya Town, Mobara City, Mutsuzawa Town, Chosei Village, Isumi City
Kazusa Junisha Festival
Ichinomiya’s traditional festival, where mikoshi and deities run along the water’s edge
Ended
Aomori Prefecture・Aomori City
RAB Matsuri
An autumn festival featuring broadcaster-hosted stage performances, Aomori flavors, and fireworks lighting up the night sky
〜
Ended
Aomori Prefecture・Aomori City
ABA Bangumi Festival
A bay-area festival bringing together the excitement of TV programs and the smiles of Aomori
〜
Ended
Niigata Prefecture・Sekikawa Village
Echigo-Sekikawa Oshitamonja Festival
An 82.8-meter serpent parade that carries the village’s memories forward
〜
Aomori Prefecture・Hirakawa City
Hirakawa Festa
Two days celebrating Hirakawa’s seasonal bounty and food and farming traditions
〜
Gunma Prefecture・Takasaki City
Takasaki Festival
Takasaki’s summer festival, with dashi and mikoshi parading through the streets and fireworks lighting up the night sky
〜
Hokkaido・Numata Town
Numata Town Yotaka Andon Festival
A festival where giant illuminated lanterns collide fiercely in the town at night
〜
Hokkaido・Kushiro City
Kushiro Shimin Hokkai Bon Odori
A Bon Odori festival where people dance around a giant yagura and bring Kushiro together for summer
Ended
Hokkaido・Hokuryu Town
Hokuryu Sunflower Village and Sunflower Festival
A summer spectacle of sunflowers covering the hills of Hokuryu Town
〜
Ishikawa Prefecture・Wajima City
Kuroshima Tenryo Festival
The Tenryo Festival, where castle-shaped dashi and prayers bring color to Kuroshima
〜
Ended
Hyogo Prefecture・Tamba-Sasayama City
Dekansho Festival
A summer festival in Tamba-Sasayama, where the circles of Dekansho-bushi dancers bring the former castle town to life
〜
Ended
Yamagata Prefecture・Oishida Town
Oishida Festival Mogami River Fireworks Display
Oishida’s spectacular fireworks enjoyed near the Mogami River and the bridge
Ended
Kagoshima Prefecture・Satsumasendai City
Sendai River Fireworks Festival
A night of fireworks illuminating Satsumasendai’s summer, with brilliant blooms over the river and music
Ended
Gunma Prefecture・Ota City
Ojima Neputa
Ojima’s summer illuminated by a 7-meter fan-shaped neputa and drums
〜
Yamanashi Prefecture・Nambu Town
Nambu Fire Festival
A night of prayerful flames and fireworks along the Fuji River
Nara Prefecture・Kashihara City
Hōranya of Higashibōjō
A traditional torch festival that brings Kashihara’s summer to life
Ended
Kagawa Prefecture・Takamatsu City
Sanuki Takamatsu Festival
Three days of fireworks at the port and dancing to brighten Takamatsu’s summer
〜
Shizuoka Prefecture・Yaizu City
Yaizu Shrine Shishi Kiyari
A traditional Yaizu procession led by lion banners and kiyari songs
Yamaguchi Prefecture・Shimonoseki City
Suhotei Event at Iminomiya Shrine
A spectacular summer festival in Chofu, where banners and kiriko lantern floats circle the Oniishi Stone
〜
Ended
Fukushima Prefecture・Fukushima City
Fukushima Waraji Festival
A Fukushima summer festival where a giant straw sandal and live music move through the streets
〜
Ended
Ibaraki Prefecture・Itako City
Itako Gion Festival
A summer festival in the Suigo region, featuring 14 dashi and Itako Bayashi
〜
Toyama Prefecture・Uozu City
Uozu Tatemon Festival
A traditional Uozu festival where lantern light and the spirit of a port town race across the night sky
〜
Ended
Aomori Prefecture・Aomori City
Aomori Fireworks Festival
Aomori summer, where Nebuta floats at sea meet fireworks in the night sky
Ended
Aomori Prefecture・Hirakawa City
Hirakawa Neputa
Hirakawa’s summer, filled with the sound of hayashi music and the procession of a giant fan-shaped neputa
〜
Ishikawa Prefecture・Suzu City
Horyu Tanabata Kiriko Festival
A Tanabata festival where giant kiriko dance toward bonfires in the sea at night
Ended
Kumamoto Prefecture・Nankan Town
Nankan Summer Festival
A summer festival of sparks and festival music, as the Daijayama winds through Nankan
Ended
Chiba Prefecture・Katori City
Suigo Omigawa Fireworks Festival
A summer in Omigawa, enjoying fireworks blooming over the Tone River and the artistry of shakudama
Hokkaido・Furano City
Hokkai Heso Festival
A festival where faces painted on bellies dance through Furano’s summer
〜
Yamaguchi Prefecture・Yamaguchi City
Yamaguchi Gion Festival
A Gion festival carrying on Yamaguchi's summer traditions, with the Sagi no Mai and mikoshi
〜
Oita Prefecture・Hita City
Hita Gion Festival
A Hita summer festival where lantern-lit dashi floats and music parade through the streets
〜
Ibaraki Prefecture・Chikusei City
Shimodate Gion Festival
A Chikusei summer festival enlivened by 3 mikoshi and a river procession
〜
Ended
Ibaraki Prefecture・Tsukuba City
Hojo Gion Festival
A summer festival at the foot of Mount Tsukuba, with mikoshi and dashi bringing Hojo to life
〜
Ended
Ibaraki Prefecture・Ryugasaki City
Ryugasaki Tsukumai
A traditional performance featuring a rain-frog-clad maiotoko on a 14-meter pole
Aichi Prefecture・Kariya City
Mantō Festival (Kariya City)
Giant mantō against the night sky, dancing to flutes and drums in Kariya’s summer
〜
Ended
Fukuoka Prefecture・Omuta City
Omuta Daijayama Festival
A festival where fire, smoke, and drums carry Omuta through summer with the Daijayama
〜
Ended
Miyagi Prefecture・Sendai
TBC Summer Festival
Music and public broadcasts bring summer to life on stages across Miyagi
〜
Niigata Prefecture・Yahiko Village
Yahiko Shrine Lantern Pushing Festival and Bugaku
A traditional lantern-pushing festival, with lights and mikoshi winding through Yahiko’s summer
〜
Hyogo Prefecture・Kami Town
Kasumi Furusato Festival
A summer festival in a port town, with the sea and night sky over Kasumihama aglow
Ishikawa Prefecture・Nanao City
Mukaida Fire Festival
A fire festival of prayer and flames, setting Notojima’s night sky ablaze
Ended
Gifu Prefecture・Ogaki City
Gifu Shimbun Ogaki Fireworks Festival
A summer night where large-shell fireworks and music-synchronized displays echo across the broad Ibi River
Ended
Chiba Prefecture・Katori City
Omigawa Gion Festival
A Gion festival that brings downtown Omigawa to life with 6 two-tiered dashi and a mikoshi
〜
Ended
Aichi Prefecture・Minamichita Town
Toyohama Tai Matsuri
Toyohama’s traditional festival, with a giant sea bream parading along the coast and through town
〜
Ended
Aomori Prefecture・Aomori City
Sannai Maruyama Jomon Summer Festival
A summer festival in Sannai Maruyama where learning about and experiencing the Jomon period come together
〜
Ended
Fukuoka Prefecture・Miyama City
Eura-machi Gion Festival
A summer festival in Eura-machi, where the Daijayama and Odoriyama clash amid sparks
Ishikawa Prefecture・Nanao City
Nanao Gion Festival
A Gion festival where bonfires and bontō lanterns race through Nanao at night
Ended
Kanagawa Prefecture・Hiratsuka City
Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
Tanabata decorations and nighttime lights brighten the streets: 3 days of discoveries around Hiratsuka Station
〜
Ended
Hokkaido・Akkeshi Town
Akkeshi Ayame Festival
Meet purple irises and sea breezes at a natural flower garden overlooking the Pacific
〜
Ended
Chiba Prefecture・Katori City
Suigo Sawara Ayame Festival
Early summer in the waterside region: admire 1.5 million irises of 400 varieties from a boat
〜
Ended
Toyama Prefecture・Tonami City
Tonami Yotaka Festival
A festival where handmade lantern floats collide in the streets of Tonami at night
〜
Toyama Prefecture・Oyabe City
Tsuzawa Yotaka Andon Festival
A rice-planting festival where glowing large lanterns race through Tsuzawa at night
〜
Ended
Hyogo Prefecture・Aioi City
Aioi Peron Festival
An early-summer festival by the sea, with boats racing across Aioi Bay and fireworks lighting up the sky
〜
Ended
Yamagata Prefecture・Sakata City
Sakata Festival
A festival where giant shishi lions and dashi floats parade through the historic streets of Sakata
〜
Ended
Ibaraki Prefecture・Kasama City
Kasama Himatsuri
A pottery fair where makers and users discover the individuality of Kasama ware
〜
Ended
Okinawa Prefecture・Naha City
Naha Hari
Three days in Naha, with dragon boats racing across the water and prayers and excitement ringing out
〜
Ended
Shizuoka Prefecture・Hamamatsu City
Hamamatsu Festival
An early-summer festival where giant kites and Goten Yatai floats bring color to Hamamatsu
〜
Saitama Prefecture・Kasukabe City
Kasukabe Giant Kite Festival
A giant celebratory kite from Hōshubana, soaring skyward through the efforts of the local community
1 more date periods
Ended
Kagawa Prefecture・Marugame City
Marugame Oshiro Festival
A castle-town celebration of parades, dance, and local flavors at Marugame Castle
〜
Toyama Prefecture・Nanto City
Fukuno Yotaka Festival
A Fukuno night illuminated by grand lanterns and an intense tug-of-war
〜
Toyama Prefecture・Nanto City
Yoiyasa Festival
A spring festival with mikoshi and lion dances parading through a town of woodcarving
〜
Ended
Tokyo Metropolis・Bunkyo City
Bunkyo Azalea Festival
Discover spring culture at Nezu Shrine, where a thousand hues bloom
〜
Ended
Aomori Prefecture・Aomori City
AOMORI Spring Festival
A spring collaboration bringing Nebuta and Yosakoi to life in Aomori’s streets
Ended
Iwate Prefecture・Oshu City
Hidaka Hibuse Festival
A day of floats and festival music bringing color to Mizusawa, with prayers for fire prevention
Aichi Prefecture・Inuyama City
Inuyama Festival
A spring festival in Inuyama, with karakuri dashi bringing color to the castle town
〜
Ended
Chiba Prefecture・Katori City
Katori Jingu Otaue Festival
Katori Jingu’s spring rice-planting rites preserve prayers for a bountiful harvest
Ended
Tokushima Prefecture・Katsūra Town
Big Hinamatsuri
A spring Hinamatsuri in Katsuura Town, adorned with around 30,000 hina dolls
〜
Ended
Aichi Prefecture・Handa City
Okkawa Festival
The Okkawa festival, where 4 dashi guarding the mikoshi tackle steep slopes
〜
Niigata Prefecture・Nagaoka City
Hodare Festival
Shimokairaden’s unusual festival, carrying a huge sacred object and praying for abundance and good fortune
Niigata Prefecture・Minamiuonuma City
The custom of hadaka-oshi at Urasa Bishamondo
The prayers and fervor of Urasa, carried on through water purification and hadaka-oshi
〜
Tochigi Prefecture・Nikko City
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
A candlelit kamakura night brightens the snowy hot spring town
〜
Nagasaki Prefecture・Nagasaki City
Nagasaki Lantern Festival
A dazzling celebration of lights and Chinese culture illuminating Nagasaki
〜
Akita Prefecture・Yokote City
Yokote Snow Festival
Yokote’s Little New Year, bright with illuminated snow huts and elaborate bonden
〜
Akita Prefecture・Yokote City
Bonden at Asahiokayama Shrine
A winter festival in Yokote, where lavish Bonden travel snowy mountain roads and take on the shrine gate and steep slopes
Aomori Prefecture・Hirosaki City
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
A winter festival where snow lanterns and lights envelop Hirosaki Park
〜
Ended
Yamaguchi Prefecture・Yanai City
Azuki Shinmei Festival
A tradition of shinmei structures on the eastern and western shores, and flames lighting up the night sky
Ended
Fukui Prefecture・Echizen City
Awatabe’s “Horai Festival”
A traditional prayer as a mochi-flower dashi and taiko drummers make their way through Awatabe
Akita Prefecture・Daisen City
Kariwano Giant Tug-of-War
A winter contest that brings together Kariwano's skills and hopes around an enormous rope dividing the town in two
Hokkaido・Tomakomai City
Tomakomai Skate Festival
Experience Tomakomai’s winter with snow activities and Shibare-yaki
〜
Nagano Prefecture・Iiyama City
Iiyama Snow Festival
A community-created celebration of snow that brightens the snow country of Iiyama
〜
Gifu Prefecture・Kaizu City
Imao Sagicho
Imao’s fire festival, where bamboo mikoshi from 13 neighborhoods offer flames and sound
Ishikawa Prefecture・Hakusan City
Snowman Festival
A winter evening brightened by snowmen and lights in Shiramine
Ended
Kyoto Prefecture・Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City
Mibu-dera Setsubun Festival
A Kyoto Setsubun festival to ward off misfortune with horoku offerings and Mibu Kyogen
〜
Ended
Shizuoka Prefecture・Shizuoka City
Shizuoka Sengen Shrine’s Setsubun observances
Shizuoka Sengen Shrine’s Setsubun: driving away demons with wishes in the sound of striking boards
Hokkaido・Obihiro City
Obihiro Ice Festival
Obihiro’s winter, featuring ice and snow art, winter activities, and the flavors of Tokachi
〜
Aomori Prefecture・Goshogawara City
Umaimon Festa in Kanagi
A winter food festival to enjoy snow activities and Kanagi flavors in one day
Hokkaido・Asahikawa City
Asahikawa Winter Festival
A festival where creations of snow and ice bring Asahikawa's winter to life
Aomori Prefecture・Hirosaki City
Hirosaki Neputa Festival
A summer neputa festival in Hirosaki, where warrior pictures and festival music bring the castle town to life
Aomori Prefecture・Goshogawara City
Goshogawara Tachineputa
A summer festival of giant illuminated floats and festival music moving through Goshogawara
Aomori Prefecture・Hachinohe City
Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Festival
Traditional processions from 3 shrines, with mikoshi and dashi floats bringing color to Hachinohe’s summer
Akita Prefecture・Oga City
Namahage Sedo Festival
Oga's Namahage culture, illuminated by the saitō fire against the snowy mountain
Akita Prefecture・Semboku City
Kakunodate Festival Yama Event
Three days of prayers and excitement, with hikiyama floats and music echoing through the streets of Kakunodate
Ibaraki Prefecture・Kitaibaraki City
Hitachi Otsu Ofune Festival
A maritime festival passed down in Kitaibaraki, with a wooden boat parading through town
Kanagawa Prefecture・Sagamihara City
Sagami Giant Kite Festival
Giant kites soaring over the Sagami River, and a festival that carries on local hopes
Nagano Prefecture・Nozawa Onsen Village
Nozawa Onsen’s Dosojin Festival
Prayers for Little New Year in Nozawa Onsen, bound together by a sacred tree and flames
Nagano Prefecture・Suwa City, Chino City, and Shimosuwa Town
Suwa Taisha Onbashira Festival
A ritual held once every 7 years, in which giant trees are hauled by people and erected at Suwa’s shrines
Niigata Prefecture・Nagaoka City
Nagaoka Festival
Nagaoka’s summer festival carries hopes for recovery and peace into the night sky and the city streets
Toyama Prefecture・Uozu City
Tatemon Festival
A traditional event of the sea and prayer, with a towering lantern float moving through Uozu at night
Ishikawa Prefecture・Nanao City
Seihakusai
A spring festival passed down through generations, with 3 Dekayama floats parading through Nanao
Iwate Prefecture・Shizukuishi Town
Iwate Snow Festival
A winter scene in Shizukuishi, brought to life by snow sculptures and kamakura
Akita Prefecture・Noshiro City
Noshiro Yaku Tanabata
A Tanabata festival of castle-shaped lantern floats crossing Noshiro at night and shachi ornaments dancing down the river
Akita Prefecture・Akita City, Yokote City, Daisen City, and elsewhere
Bonten Festival (Akita Prefecture)
Akita’s offerings and shouts, brought to life by bonten that differ from area to area
Fukushima Prefecture・Sukagawa City
Naganuma Festival
A Naganuma festival where handmade Nebuta and Neputa illuminate the dances and night sky
Ibaraki Prefecture・Hitachi City, Takahagi City, Kitaibaraki City, Hitachiota City, Hitachiomiya City, Daigo Town
KENPOKU ART 2016 Ibaraki Kenpoku Art Festival
Contemporary art across 6 northern municipalities, set amid coastal and mountain landscapes
Ibaraki Prefecture・Hitachinaka City
Katsuta Festival
Bringing the community together to make history and capture the festival’s excitement
Ibaraki Prefecture・Tsuchiura City
Tsuchiura Curry Festival
A Tsuchiura food festival celebrating lotus root and regional curries from across Japan
Tokyo Metropolis・Edogawa City
Asama Nobori Festival
A traditional Shinozaki rite in which 10 large banners are raised by hand
Kanagawa Prefecture・Hadano City
Hadano Tobacco Festival
A festival where the memories of leaf-tobacco farming live on, and fire and dance brighten the city
Toyama Prefecture・Oyabe City
Genpei Higyu Festival
A festival where giant fire oxen carrying history race through the city
Ishikawa Prefecture・Suzu City
Iida-machi Tōrōyama Festival
Iida-machi’s summer festival, lit up by a giant Tōrōyama and festival songs
Ishikawa Prefecture・Kaga
Guzu-yaki Festival
A summer festival in Kibashi where a giant guzu parades through town, dispelling misfortune with fire and dance
Ishikawa Prefecture・Nanao City, Wajima City, Suzu City, Anamizu Town, Noto Town, Shika Town
Noto Kiriko festivals
A festival of prayer, with giant kiriko illuminating Noto’s towns
Nagano Prefecture・Saku City
Iwamurata Gion Festival and Ofune-sama Festival
A summer festival where local prayers dwell in a giant Ofune-sama adorned with a white heron
Nagano Prefecture・Iida City
Oneri Festival
A celebration of Iida’s traditional performing arts, featuring a great lion and a daimyo procession
Nagano Prefecture・Matsumoto City
Ofune Festival (Susukimizu Shrine)
A festival in which 9 carved dashi proceed through Satoyamabe to spirited calls
Gifu Prefecture・Kasamatsu
Kasamatsu River Festival
A summer festival of floating lanterns and fireworks on the Kiso River
Mie Prefecture・Yokkaichi City
Amagasuka Imochi Ritual
Amagasuka’s mushiokuri, when torches and drums protected the rice fields
Okayama Prefecture・Misaki
Gohō Festival
Torchlight and conch shells illuminate a nighttime rite passed down in Misaki
Kagawa Prefecture・Kanonji City
Kotohiki Hachimangu Grand Festival
A grand festival that brings color to autumn in Kanonji, with 9 large chosa vying with one another
Fukuoka Prefecture・Miyama City
Watase Gion Festival
A Gion Festival where a fire-breathing Daijayama and drums bring summer to Watase
Miyagi Prefecture・Sendai
Sendai Broadcasting Festival
An outdoor festival where the fun of television meets the lively atmosphere of Sendai
Ishikawa Prefecture・Nanao City
Wakura Onsen Omatsuri Hall
Wakura’s hub for experiencing the excitement of Nanao’s four major festivals at life size
Kyoto Prefecture・Maizuru City
Akarenga Festa (Maizuru)
An autumn moment among red-brick memories and the flavors of Maizuru
Osaka Prefecture・Osaka City
Sumiyoshi Odori
A dedicated dance performed around a large umbrella, carrying Sumiyoshi’s wishes through generations
Osaka Prefecture・Osaka City
Otaue Ceremony in Sumiyoshi
A traditional Sumiyoshi Taisha festival brought to life by rice planting and dance
Osaka Prefecture・Tondabayashi City
PL Art of Fireworks Festival for the Founder’s Festival
Grand fireworks once lit up the night sky over Tondabayashi during the Founder’s Festival
Hiroshima Prefecture・Hatsukaichi City
Miyajima Underwater Fireworks Festival
Summer memories of underwater fireworks lighting up Miyajima’s great torii gate
Chiba Prefecture・Minamiboso City
Shirama-tsu no Omachi (Grand Festival) Events
A grand festival held once every 4 years, when large banners representing the sun and moon adorn Shirama-tsu
Osaka Prefecture・Osaka City
Bugaku at the Shoryoe
Gagaku and bugaku associated with Prince Shōtoku, passed down on the stone stage
Kagoshima Prefecture・Sōo City
Iwakawa Yagoro Doll Festival
An autumn sacred procession led through Iwakawa by the giant Yagoro-don
Miyagi Prefecture・Ishinomaki City
Oshika Hōin Kagura
Hōin Kagura of Makiyama, Ishinomaki: Prayers in Drumming and Dance
Fukushima Prefecture・Iwaki City
Goho-den Dengaku and Lion Dances
A Festival in Iwaki Alive with Dueling Hoko, Dengaku, and Four Lion Dances
Saitama Prefecture・Tsurugashima City
Suneori Rain-Praying Ritual
A giant dragon-serpent circles a pond as people pray for the blessing of rain in Tsurugashima
Aichi Prefecture・Toei Town, Toyone Village, and Shitara Town
Hana Matsuri performing arts
A traditional performing art that brings winter in Oku-Mikawa to life with demon masks and dance around a giant cauldron
Tottori Prefecture・Yonago City
Kamiyodo Hassaku Tug-of-War
The Kamiyodo Hassaku Tug-of-War: carrying a giant straw snake and divining the harvest
Fukuoka Prefecture・Fukuoka City
Performing Arts of the Shigaumi Shrine Shinkō Festival
Mikoshi and traditional dances: the shinkō performances that live on in Shikanoshima
Miyazaki Prefecture・Miyakonojo City, Nichinan City
Hyuga Yagoro Figure Event
Giant Yagoro-don figures and autumn festival processions in southern Kyushu
Nagasaki Prefecture・Omura City
Kuromaru Odori
Omura’s tradition of huge flower rings and drums: Kuromaru Odori, a dance for good fortune
Aomori Prefecture・Nambu Town
Nanbu Town Peony Festival
Spring in Nanbu Town: admiring large peonies on the mid-slopes of Mount Nakui
Fukushima Prefecture・Iwaki City
Yabusame and food offerings at Iino Hachimangu Shrine
Iino Hachimangu Shrine’s autumn festival, with galloping horses and traditional food offerings
Tochigi Prefecture・Ashikaga City
Mount Sekison Bonten Festival
A traditional Mount Sekison event in which bonten are dedicated at sunrise
Chiba Prefecture・Nagareyama City
Large Shimenawa Event
Nagareyama’s large shimenawa-making tradition brings the community together
Chiba Prefecture・Mutsuzawa Town
Tōka-sai and offerings at Uba Shrine
A festival of Mutsuzawa Town and the deities of Kazusa, linked by 2 mikoshi
Tokyo Metropolis・Miyake Village
Hatsu-uma (Kamitsuki)
Kamitsuki’s Hatsu-uma: a lion visits homes to ward off misfortune
Kanagawa Prefecture・Yokohama City
Honchi (spider fighting)
A serious contest between tiny spiders, passed down in Yokohama
Kanagawa Prefecture・Yokohama City
Sakaki Mikoshi
Negishi's summer festival, where a large sakaki mikoshi purifies the town
Nagano Prefecture・Komoro City
Mikage Shinden Dosojin Festival
The Mikage Shinden Dosojin Festival, passed down through dashi aglow with lanterns
Aichi Prefecture・Handa City
Shimohanda and Okkawa Festival events
Handa in spring: dashi guarding a mikoshi and the strength it takes to haul them up and down a steep slope
Aichi Prefecture・Shinshiro City
Tatemono Fireworks
From lantern light to a vivid picture: traditional mechanized fireworks open up the night sky
Shiga Prefecture・Moriyama City
Hi Matsuri
Moriyama’s Hi Matsuri, where giant dragon-shaped torches set the winter night sky ablaze
Kyoto Prefecture・Kyotango City
Kamitachi-no-miya Grand Festival
Autumn in Kumihama, resounding with 5 taikodai, and a mikoshi procession
Tottori Prefecture・Daisen Town
Akamatsu Kojin Festival
A festival in which a giant straw serpent bearing the hopes of Akamatsu winds through the village
Shimane Prefecture・Izumo City
Hanama Ritual
A stirring sacred offering procession, powered by flowers and people, along the roads of Tagi
Shimane Prefecture・Matsue City
Otaue Festival (Matsue City)
A summer festival of yoshu in Kashima-cho, praying for a good harvest next year
Shimane Prefecture・Matsue City
Ritual sumo
Memories of the ancient festival and ritual sumo passed down at Sada Shrine
Okayama Prefecture・Kumenan Town
Kiyomizu-dera Gohō Festival
A night when the guardian deity of Kiyomizu-dera races through the grounds, beginning with a conch shell and prayers
Fukuoka Prefecture・Fukuoka City
Noko Island Shirahige Shrine Okunchi Festival
An ancient-style offering ritual on Noko Island, passed down through its four settlements
A YEAR OF DISCOVERIES
View all Enjoy Japan through the changing seasons.
The bustle of spring, the excitement of summer, the harvest of autumn, and the lights of winter.
TRENDING NOW
View all Interesting festivals everyone wants to know about
Find your next outing through the events that catch your eye.
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Iyo Mishima Taiko Festival
A festival where differently colored taikodai parade through Shikokuchuo in autumnJidai Matsuri
A historical scroll of period costumes bringing the ancient capital to lifeOto-shima Festival
Oto-shima's autumn festival, where lantern-lit floats climb the stone steps amid shouts
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Takamatsu Autumn Festival and Busshozan Daimyo Procession
A vivid historical procession along Busshozan’s streets and autumn fireworksTateyama Festival
Tateyama’s joint festival, featuring dashi, ofune, and mikoshi parading through the castle townOto-shima Festival
Oto-shima's autumn festival, where lantern-lit floats climb the stone steps amid shouts
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Zenniku-sai
A festival to explore the many meanings of meat and enjoy food and stage performances at Wakayama CastleGatchi Festival
A peculiar autumn festival in Nonami, where demon-masked Gatchi purify the roadsWorld Yabusame Championship
Towada’s yabusame showdown, where galloping horses and archers’ skill come together
STORIES & GUIDES
View all Articles and features
Your next trip starts here.
Discover Nagasaki Kunchi through its neighborhoods: Odoricho, Kasaboko and Niwasakimawari
Behind the spectacular performances lie a role that comes around every 7 years and the life of the neighborhoods.
Read the feature
What is Hikkawase at Kawagoe Festival? Enjoy the encounters between floats and festival musicians
Focus on the exchange of sounds and dashi in the streets lined with traditional storehouses.
Read the feature
How are the spring and autumn Takayama Festivals different? Choose your trip by shrine, floats, and karakuri performances
The setting is different, even in the same Takayama. Enjoy the two festivals without confusing them.
Read the feature
Looking for a winter festival? How Chichibu Night Festival, Namahage Sedo Festival, and Yokote Kamakura differ
Dashi floats, visiting deities, prayers in the snow. A winter trip chosen by the sights you want to see.
Read article
Where to go in October? Comparing Nagasaki Kunchi, Kawagoe Festival and Takayama Festival
Dedication performances, dashi facing off, and mechanical puppets. Choose an autumn trip for the appeal that suits you.
Read article
Fireworks or a festival of lights? Choose an evening festival based on the scenery you want to see
A brief burst of brilliant light, or small lights to enjoy as you stroll through town? Let’s sort out the different ways to enjoy an evening.
Read article
NEW DISCOVERIES
View all Interesting festivals, newly discovered.
Bringing you new discoveries found by our editorial team.
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Aomori Prefecture・Mutsu
Daianji Flower Festival
Daianji’s Flower Festival, surrounded by spring flowers and prayer
Saga Prefecture・Karatsu City
Inoko-sama of Ōshiraki
Ōshiraki’s harvest celebration, passed down through straw coverings and chants
Kochi Prefecture・Kami City
Okawakami Mirafu Shrine Goshinko
A Goshinko associated with the shrine, passed down in Niunono, Kahoku-cho
Fukui Prefecture・Obama City
Nishizu Shichinen Festival
A Shichinen Festival where mikoshi and performances carry on Nishizu’s fishing-village culture
ABOUT Interesting Festival
About us
Stories beyond the fun.
At first, you might think, “What’s that?” But the more you learn, the more you’ll love it.
With respect for local cultures, we introduce you to parts of Japan you may not yet know.
