Top 10 Must-See Festivals in Japan You Shouldn’t Miss
Although Japan’s modern features are certainly alluring to tourists, it’s equally crucial to immerse oneself in the country’s traditional culture. It’s great to explore historic alleys, temples, and shrines in cities like Kyoto and Kamakura, but if you want to see the more vibrant side of traditional Japanese culture, you should definitely go to a Japanese festival. Japanese festivals give visitors a unique chance to engage with the locals and gain a profound understanding of their history and culture.
Gion Matsuri (Gion Festival) – Kyoto Prefecture (Kansai)
Date: July 1–31 (with Yamaboko Junko on July 17 and 24).
Location: Shijo-dori and Karasuma-dori areas of central Kyoto
Access from Tokyo: JR Tokyo Station to JR Kyoto Station takes roughly two hours by Shinkansen.
Highlights:One of Japan’s three main festivals, Gion Matsuri, has been celebrated for more than 1,100 years. The “Yamaboko Junko,” in which 23 exquisite floats (yamaboko) march through the streets of Kyoto, is the festival’s primary event. These elaborately decorated floats, which are frequently referred to as “moving art museums,” are breathtaking. Kyoto gives a unique chance to experience the festive mood, despite the fact that it is extremely busy at this time. Particularly during the Yamaboko Junko days, hotel and viewing reservations
Sapporo Snow Festival – Hokkaido
Date:Early February
Location: Odori Park, Susukino, Tsudome venue (Sapporo)
Access from Tokyo: About 1.5 hours by flight from Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to Sapporo (New Chitose Airport), then about 30 minutes by train or bus to central Sapporo.
Highlights: The Sapporo Snow Festival, one of the three largest snow festivals in the world, is a major event representing winter in Hokkaido. It features enormous snow and ice sculptures that are created every year with a different theme, offering overwhelming grandeur and beauty. The sculptures are especially stunning when illuminated at night, giving them a magical quality. During the festival, you can also enjoy snow and ice sports, as well as local Hokkaido cuisine from the food stalls. Though it’s essential to dress warmly, the beautiful winter scenery is definitely worth experiencing.
Awa Odori – Tokushima Prefecture (Shikoku)
Date: August 12th to 15th
Location: Various locations around Tokushima city
Access from Tokyo: About 1 hour 20 minutes by flight from Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to Tokushima (Awa Odori Tokushima Airport).
Highlights: Awa Odori is a traditional dance festival that has been held since the 16th century, with the famous chant “Odoru ahō ni miru ahō, onaji ahō nara odorana ya son son” (The fool dances, the fool watches, and if you’re a fool, you might as well dance). Participants dance to the rhythms of traditional drums, shamisen, and flutes. The festival is very lively, and you can join the locals in dancing, making it a highly interactive experience. The streets are filled with dancing until late at night, with participants wearing yukatas and dancing enthusiastically, creating a festive atmosphere that captivates everyone.
Nebuta Matsuri – Aomori Prefecture (Northern Japan)
Date: August 2nd to 7th
Location: Aomori city
Access from Tokyo: About 3 hours 10 minutes by Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station to JR Aomori Station.
Highlights: Nebuta Matsuri is one of the most famous summer festivals in Japan, known worldwide. The festival features gigantic lantern floats that parade through the streets, accompanied by powerful music, captivating a large audience. Participants, known as “haneto,” join the parade and dance along with the floats, creating an energetic and lively atmosphere. You can also participate in the festival by dressing up and becoming a “haneto” yourself. On the final day, there’s a fireworks display that lights up the night sky and adds to the magical ambiance.
Takayama Matsuri – Gifu Prefecture
Date: Spring (April 14th and 15th), Autumn (October 9th and 10th)
Location: Takayama city, Gifu Prefecture
Access from Tokyo: About 94 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station, then about 2 hours 33 minutes by express train from Nagoya to Takayama.
Highlights: Takayama Matsuri is a beautiful festival with a history dating back to the Edo period, held twice a year in spring and autumn. The festival is known for its splendid floats (dashi), which are paraded through the town. The floats are elaborately decorated and feature intricate carvings, earning the festival the title of one of the most beautiful in Japan. The charming town of Takayama, with its preserved Edo-period streets and wooden houses, adds to the traditional Japanese atmosphere, making it the perfect place to enjoy both the festival and the historical landscape.
Kanda Matsuri – Tokyo
Date: Mid-May (Every odd year, held biennially)
Location: Kanda Myojin Shrine, around Tokyo Station
Highlights: Kanda Matsuri, one of the major festivals in Tokyo, has a long history dating back to the Edo period. The festival features a grand parade with over 200 portable shrines (mikoshi) that are carried through Tokyo’s central areas, such as Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Akihabara. As a festival closely associated with the Tokugawa family, it also showcases elaborate processions and traditional performances, giving you a chance to experience the essence of Edo culture. With Tokyo’s vibrant atmosphere as a backdrop, it’s a perfect opportunity to experience Japan’s traditional spirit. The festival is held biennially, so be sure to check the schedule if you plan to visit in May.
Tenjin Matsuri – Osaka Prefecture
Date: July 24th and 25th
Location: Around Tenmabashi, Osaka
Access from Tokyo: About 2.5 hours by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station.
Highlights: Tenjin Matsuri, one of Japan’s three major festivals with a history of over 1,000 years, is celebrated both on land and on water. The highlight of the festival is the “funatogyo” (boat procession), where more than 100 boats pass along the Okawa River, carrying festival participants. The nighttime fireworks, with around 5,000 fireworks launched, create a stunning visual display reflected on the water, making it one of the most breathtaking events to witness. The festival also includes traditional music, performances, and a vibrant atmosphere shared by locals and visitors alike.
Chichibu Yomatsuri – Saitama Prefecture
Date: December 2nd and 3rd
Location: Chichibu city, Saitama
Access from Tokyo: About 78 minutes by limited express train from Ikebukuro Station to Seibu Chichibu Station.
Highlights: Chichibu Yomatsuri, the annual festival of Chichibu Shrine, is known for its extravagant floats and winter fireworks. The contrast of the brightly lit floats adorned with lanterns and the winter fireworks against the cold night sky is unique and beautiful. The festival is a wonderful way to enjoy the warmth of the community in the cold winter air. The luxurious floats are a major draw, and the final fireworks display adds a festive end to the celebration.
Oni Matsuri – Aichi Prefecture
Date: Early February
Location: Toyohashi city, Akumi Shrine
Highlights: Oni Matsuri, the “Demon Festival,” is a unique event where red and blue demons appear and throw “evil-repelling” powder at the spectators. The humorous and powerful movements of the demons create an exciting and fun atmosphere, offering visitors a one-of-a-kind experience. This festival is an important event for the locals, symbolizing the desire to ward off evil. The demon performances will surely make you laugh, giving you a rare and playful taste of Japanese traditions.
Kakunodate Sakura Matsuri – Akita Prefecture
Date: Late April to early May
Location: Kakunodate, Akita
Access from Tokyo: About 3 hours by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Akita Station, then about 30 minutes by bus or taxi to Kakunodate.
Highlights: Kakunodate Sakura Matsuri is one of the most famous cherry blossom festivals in the Tohoku region. It is particularly renowned for its stunning weeping cherry trees (shidarezakura) along the samurai district streets. With around 400 cherry trees in full bloom, the view is breathtaking and resembles a painting. The cherry blossoms harmonize beautifully with the historical samurai houses, creating a picturesque scene. At night, the blossoms are illuminated, creating a dreamlike, mystical atmosphere. This is a great opportunity to experience Japan’s seasonal beauty and explore the traditional atmosphere of the town.
