Matsuri Festivals

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

Lantern processions escort the portable shrine of Kashima Shrine at this biennial celebration.

Festival floats travel through historic Toyoma during its autumn celebration.

Bugaku dances, mikoshi processions and lantern floats mark Yachi Hachimangu Shrine's autumn festival.

Floats, portable shrines and local performing arts fill central Kuji in autumn.

Rituals honoring living creatures and stalls along the shrine approach mark this autumn festival.

Dancers with faces painted on their bellies bring a playful procession to Shibukawa.

Processions and local festivities celebrate the castle-town traditions of Tsuru.

Elegant evening dance festival in Toyama's Yatsuo district.

Demon-themed portable shrines, drums and an Enma float fill the streets of Noboribetsu Onsen.

Daruma-themed portable shrines and floats fill central Takasaki during its summer festival.

Decorated floats circle Tanabu before a final gathering known as the parting of the five floats.

Dance processions bring Tsugaru folk music and lively calls to the streets of Kuroishi.

Crowds join a great tug-of-war held with wishes for harvests, health and prosperity.

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

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

Sakaide celebrates with community dances, drum floats and harbor fireworks.