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Home / Festivals / September

Festivals in September

27 festivals in this month

September marks the transition to autumn festivals. Moon viewing (tsukimi) events celebrate the harvest moon with dango and pampas grass. The Kishiwada Danjiri Festival features thrilling float races through narrow streets. Early autumn leaf festivals begin in northern regions, and grape harvest celebrations take place in wine country.

Top picks this month

Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri

The September headline if you want raw Osaka energy, fast float turns, and a clear 2026 date target.

Owara Kaze no Bon

A quieter Toyama anchor for September 1-3 if you want atmosphere, music, and a slower harvest-season night.

Sawara Grand Festival

Useful as a float-festival comparison point when you are deciding between late-summer routes and autumn matsuri texture.

How to use this month

  • Treat September as a bridge month: keep Kansai / Chubu routes compact, watch typhoon forecasts, and avoid overloading the plan with long transfers after night events.
  • If the goal is pure impact, start with Kishiwada. If the goal is atmosphere and photography, compare Owara, moon-viewing, and early-autumn shrine weekends.

Related guides

Autumn festivals guide

Best overview for September through November, including how Kishiwada leads into the stronger October window.

Osaka festivals guide

Use this when Kishiwada is your anchor and you need Osaka transport, safety, and city-base context.

Chubu festivals guide

Pairs Owara with Toyama, Gifu, and the central Japan festival route before October peak season.

Fujisaki Hachimangu Grand Festival - Religious
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Fujisaki Hachimangu Grand Festival

Religious

A shrine procession and decorated horse offerings mark Fujisaki Hachimangu's autumn festival.

KyushuDate unconfirmed
Hanamaki Festival - Matsuri
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Hanamaki Festival

Matsuri

Decorated floats, portable shrines and deer dances fill central Hanamaki.

TohokuDate unconfirmed
No image available

Kakunodate Festival

Matsuri

Floats carrying musicians and dancers travel through Kakunodate, with dramatic encounters between the festival carts.

TohokuDate unconfirmed
No image available

Matsue Suitouro

Lantern Festival

Lanterns and illuminations light up the streets around Matsue Castle on autumn evenings.

ChugokuDate unconfirmed
Ohara Hadaka Festival - Matsuri
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Ohara Hadaka Festival

Matsuri

Portable shrines enter the sea during the Shiofumi ritual in the fishing town of Ohara.

KantoDate unconfirmed
No image available

Sendai Giant Tug-of-War

Matsuri

Teams pull an enormous rope in a traditional autumn contest in Satsumasendai.

KyushuDate unconfirmed
Tsuruga Festival - Matsuri
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Tsuruga Festival

Matsuri

Floats bearing warrior figures and shrine processions mark Kehi Jingu's annual festival.

ChubuDate unconfirmed
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