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Home / Festivals / May

Festivals in May

16 festivals in this month

May opens with Golden Week — Japan's longest holiday string — bringing festivals nationwide. The Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo and Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto are highlights. Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa is one of Tokyo's most spirited celebrations. Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi) fills the sky with koinobori carp streamers.

Taiko Drum Festival Nippon Taiko - Music Festival

Taiko Drum Festival Nippon Taiko

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

ChubuMayModerate crowd

Sakata Festival - Parade

Sakata Festival

Festival in Yamagata featuring a grand procession and traditional performances.

TohokuMayModerate crowd

Toshogu Grand Festival - Religious

Toshogu Grand Festival

Grand festival at Nikko Toshogu with a 'Thousand Warrior' samurai procession.

KantoMayCrowded

Kobe Festival - Parade

Kobe Festival

Kobe's biggest spring festival with samba parades and multicultural performances.

KansaiMayCrowded

Sanja Matsuri - Matsuri

Sanja Matsuri

Tokyo's wildest festival at Asakusa Shrine with over 100 portable shrines.

KantoMayExtremely crowded

Aoi Matsuri - Matsuri

Aoi Matsuri

One of Kyoto's three great festivals with a Heian-era imperial procession.

KansaiMayCrowded

Tango no Sekku - Seasonal

Tango no Sekku

Boys' Day with carp streamers and samurai helmet displays.

KantoMayLow crowd

Fuji Shibazakura Festival - Nature Festival

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Nature Festival

Pink moss phlox carpet at the base of Mt. Fuji.

ChubuMayCrowded

Hitachi Seaside Park Nemophila - Nature Festival

Hitachi Seaside Park Nemophila

Nature Festival

Breathtaking blue nemophila flower fields at Hitachi Seaside Park.

KantoMayExtremely crowded

Nagoya Festival Miso Katsu - Food Festival

Nagoya Festival Miso Katsu

Festival featuring Nagoya's signature miso katsu and other local dishes.

ChubuMayModerate crowd

Hakata Dontaku - Matsuri

Hakata Dontaku

Fukuoka's largest festival with over 2 million visitors, featuring parades and stages.

KyushuMayExtremely crowded

Wisteria Festival Ashikaga - Nature Festival

Wisteria Festival Ashikaga

Nature Festival

World-renowned wisteria displays at Ashikaga Flower Park.

KantoMayExtremely crowded

Osaka Jazz Festival - Music Festival

Osaka Jazz Festival

Free outdoor jazz festival in the streets of Osaka.

KansaiMayModerate crowd

Mikuni Matsuri - Matsuri

Mikuni Matsuri

Fukui's grand festival with towering warrior floats parading through the old port town.

ChubuMayModerate crowd

Takigi Noh at Nara - Performing Arts

Takigi Noh at Nara

Performing Arts

Outdoor Noh theater by torchlight at Kofukuji Temple in Nara.

KansaiMayModerate crowd

Kanda Matsuri - Matsuri

Kanda Matsuri

One of Tokyo's three great festivals, held at Kanda Myojin Shrine in odd-numbered years.

KantoMayExtremely crowded