Japanese Festivals & Events

Bullfinch-exchanging ceremony at Dazaifu Tenmangu to replace bad luck with good.

Award-winning illumination at Ashikaga Flower Park, featuring light wisteria.

Floating lanterns and fireworks on Miyazu Bay in Kyoto Prefecture.

Giant illuminated lantern floats in Noshiro, reaching over 24 meters high.

Ancient Buddhist water-drawing ceremony at Todaiji Temple with spectacular torch procession.

Thousands of lanterns illuminate Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine during Obon.

Elegant festival where women dance with paper lantern crowns on their heads.

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

Gyoza dumpling festival in Hamamatsu, Japan's gyoza capital.

Festival celebrating Hakodate's famous squid catch with fresh preparations.

Udon noodle festival in Kagawa, the self-proclaimed 'Udon Prefecture'.

Sake and chrysanthemum festival in Fukushima's castle town.

Katsushika's intimate fireworks along Edogawa River, famous for close-range viewing.

Two-day food festival in Hiroshima showcasing regional specialties.

Annual celebration at Tokyo's historic outer fish market.

Ten thousand candle ceremony at Mount Koya's sacred Okunoin cemetery.

Grand autumn festival at Kotohira-gu with traditional performances.

Fan festival at Kumano Nachi Shrine with ancient fire rituals.

Joint fireworks display between Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu over the Kanmon Strait.

Once-every-seven-years unveiling of the hidden Buddha at Zenkoji Temple.