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Japanese Festivals & Events

Matsuri, fireworks, seasonal celebrations, and cultural events across Japan

Japan hosts over 300,000 festivals every year, from intimate village shrine ceremonies to massive urban spectacles drawing millions. Summer brings spectacular fireworks festivals and energetic Bon Odori dances; autumn features elegant harvest celebrations; winter illuminations light up cities nationwide; and spring's cherry blossom festivals are beloved worldwide. Our comprehensive guide covers festivals across all 47 prefectures with dates, locations, crowd levels, and insider tips. Filter by month, region, or festival type to find events perfectly matched to your travel plans.

August festivalsSummer matsuri and fireworks first FireworksA clear planning path for visitors 2026 calendar guideStart from the highest-engagement guide

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14 festivals found

Hadaka Matsuri - Seasonal

Hadaka Matsuri

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

ChugokuFebruaryCrowded

Nagasaki Lantern Festival - Lantern Festival

Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival

Spectacular Chinese lantern festival with 15,000 lanterns illuminating Nagasaki.

KyushuFebruaryExtremely crowded

Yokote Kamakura Festival - Snow Festival

Yokote Kamakura Festival

Snow hut festival in Akita where visitors enjoy mochi and amazake inside igloos.

TohokuFebruaryCrowded

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival - Nature Festival

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

Nature Festival

Early-blooming cherry blossom festival along the Kawazu River.

ChubuFebruaryCrowded

Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival - Snow Festival

Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival

Snow lantern festival at Hirosaki Castle with hundreds of snow lanterns.

TohokuFebruaryModerate crowd

Asahikawa Winter Festival - Snow Festival

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Hokkaido's second-largest winter festival with massive snow sculptures.

HokkaidoFebruaryCrowded

Sapporo Snow Festival - Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

Japan's most famous winter festival with massive snow and ice sculptures.

HokkaidoFebruaryExtremely crowded

Setsubun - Seasonal

Setsubun

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

KantoFebruaryCrowded

Iwate Snow Festival - Snow Festival

Iwate Snow Festival

Snow festival at Koiwai Farm featuring snow sculptures and winter activities.

TohokuFebruaryModerate crowd

Kurokawa Noh - Performing Arts

Kurokawa Noh

Performing Arts

Ancient Noh performed by farmers at Kasuga Shrine in Yamagata.

TohokuFebruaryLow crowd

Tokamachi Snow Festival - Snow Festival

Tokamachi Snow Festival

Niigata's snow festival, one of Japan's three great snow festivals.

ChubuFebruaryCrowded

Otaru Snow Light Path - Snow Festival

Otaru Snow Light Path

Romantic snow candle festival along Otaru's historic canal.

HokkaidoFebruaryCrowded

Kumamoto Ramen Festival - Food Festival

Kumamoto Ramen Festival

Ramen festival featuring Kumamoto's rich tonkotsu ramen.

KyushuFebruaryModerate crowd

Zao Ice Monsters - Snow Festival

Zao Ice Monsters

Festival celebrating the 'ice monsters' — snow-covered trees at Zao Onsen.

TohokuFebruaryModerate crowd