Free Festivals in Japan

Fukushima's spectacular lantern festival with 3,000 paper lanterns on floats.

Moon viewing tradition with dango offerings and pampas grass decorations.

Adrenaline-fueled festival where massive wooden carts race through narrow streets.

Free street jazz festival along Sendai's tree-lined Jozenji-dori.

Elegant evening dance festival in Toyama's Yatsuo district.

Japan's premier fireworks competition, held annually in Daisen, Akita.

Tokyo's version of the Yosakoi dance festival held in Harajuku.

Daimonji Gozan Okuribi: Kyoto's iconic mountain bonfire ritual. Aug 16, 2026. Five giant kanji characters blaze on mountainsides at dusk.

National taiko drumming festival showcasing Japan's powerful percussion tradition.

Annual Buddhist festival honoring ancestral spirits with bon dances and lanterns.

Tokushima Awa Odori: Japan's largest dance festival. Aug 12–15, 2026. 100,000 dancers fill the streets. Join the fun — anyone can dance!

Japan's largest dance festival in Tokushima, where 'the dancing fool' philosophy reigns.

High-energy dance festival originating in Kochi, featuring colorful costumes and naruko clappers.

Tokyo's western suburb festival with 19 ornate floats parading through the streets.

Lake Biwa's grand fireworks display with approximately 10,000 shots.

Sendai Tanabata Festival: Japan's largest star festival. Aug 6–8, 2026. Thousands of handmade streamers decorate the city. Free entry, food stalls.

Lantern festival at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura. Aug 6–9, 2026. 400+ hand-painted bonbori lanterns by artists and celebrities.

Elegant court music festival on the sea at Itsukushima Shrine.