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Seasonal Festivals in Japan 2026 | Fest in Japan

Home / Festivals / Seasonal

Seasonal Festivals

20 festivals found

Seasonal festivals celebrate Japan's deep connection to nature and the changing seasons. Cherry blossom viewing (hanami) in spring, summer bon odori dances, autumn moon viewing (tsukimi), and winter illuminations each offer unique experiences. These celebrations reflect the Japanese aesthetic of mono no aware — appreciating the beauty of transient moments.

Plan Seasonal festivals in Japan

20 listed festivals

Before adding this to your itinerary

Compare timing certainty, access, crowd pressure, and seasonality before choosing a festival anchor.
The same festival type can feel very different by region, especially for transport, food stalls, and rainy-day plans.
If the list is short, broaden to nearby months or regions so the page still helps build a realistic itinerary.

Related planning pages

July festivalsCompare Gion Matsuri, Tenjin Matsuri, fireworks, and the first peak of summer festival travel.August festivalsUse August for Nebuta, Kanto Matsuri, Awa Odori, Obon dances, and late-summer fireworks.Kansai festivalsA practical region anchor for Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and short rail hops between major events.

Toshikoshi Soba - Seasonal

Toshikoshi Soba

New Year's Eve tradition of eating buckwheat noodles for longevity.

KantoDecemberLow crowd

Niiname-sai - Seasonal

Niiname-sai

Imperial harvest thanksgiving ritual held at the Imperial Palace.

KantoNovemberLow crowd

Ebisu-ko - Seasonal

Ebisu-ko

Autumn festival of the god Ebisu, especially popular in Nagano.

ChubuNovemberModerate crowd

Shichi-Go-San - Seasonal

Shichi-Go-San

Children's rite of passage at ages 3, 5, and 7, celebrated at shrines.

KantoNovemberModerate crowd

Matsuri planning guideCheck etiquette, crowd flow, clothing, and what to prepare before your first festival.

Tori no Ichi - Seasonal

Tori no Ichi

November rooster fair at Otori Shrine, Tokyo. Nov 5, 17, 29, 2026. Buy ornate kumade rakes for good luck. Street food, lively atmosphere.

KantoNovemberCrowded

Tsukimi - Seasonal

Tsukimi

Moon viewing tradition with dango offerings and pampas grass decorations.

KantoSeptemberLow crowd

Daimonji Gozan Okuribi - Seasonal

Daimonji Gozan Okuribi

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

KansaiAugustExtremely crowded

Obon - Seasonal

Obon

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

KantoAugustModerate crowd

Tanabata - Seasonal

Tanabata

Star Festival celebrating the annual meeting of celestial lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi.

KantoJulyModerate crowd

Nagoshi no Harae - Seasonal

Nagoshi no Harae

Mid-year purification ceremony where visitors walk through a reed ring.

KansaiJuneModerate crowd

Otaue Matsuri - Seasonal

Otaue Matsuri

Rice planting festival at Sumiyoshi Taisha with traditional music and dance.

KansaiJuneModerate crowd

Tango no Sekku - Seasonal

Tango no Sekku

Boys' Day with carp streamers and samurai helmet displays.

KantoMayLow crowd

Konaki Sumo - Seasonal

Konaki Sumo

Crying baby sumo contest where sumo wrestlers try to make babies cry first.

KantoAprilModerate crowd

Kanamara Matsuri - Seasonal

Kanamara Matsuri

Fertility festival at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki, known for its unique iconography.

KantoAprilCrowded

Hina Matsuri - Seasonal

Hina Matsuri

Girls' Day festival with ornate doll displays celebrating daughters' health.

KantoMarchLow crowd

Hadaka Matsuri - Seasonal

Hadaka Matsuri

Naked festival at Saidaiji Temple where men compete for sacred sticks.

ChugokuFebruaryCrowded

Setsubun - Seasonal

Setsubun

Bean-throwing ceremony to ward off evil spirits, held at temples across Japan.

KantoFebruaryCrowded

Kagami Biraki - Seasonal

Kagami Biraki

Breaking of New Year mochi decorations, symbolizing new beginnings.

KantoJanuaryLow crowd

Hatsumode - Seasonal

Hatsumode

First shrine or temple visit of the New Year, a nationwide tradition.

KantoJanuaryExtremely crowded

Shogatsu - Seasonal

Shogatsu

Japanese New Year celebrations with traditional food, games, and shrine visits.

KantoJanuaryCrowded