Japanese Festival with fireworks, lanterns, and shrine
Your Japan Travel Guide

Festivals, Food & Culture

Discover Japan's most spectacular festivals, hidden food gems, and authentic local experiences — all in one place.

Kyoto's Greatest Festival starts in 21 daysView Details →
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Upcoming Festivals

Gion Matsuri
July 1 – 31, 202621 days left

Kyoto's Greatest Festival

A month-long celebration of Kyoto's heritage, featuring massive 'Yamaboko' floats and traditional evening festivities.

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Tenjin Matsuri
July 24 – 25, 202644 days left

Osaka's River Fire Festival

One of Japan's Top 3 festivals — 100 boats glide down the Okawa River as 5,000 fireworks light up the Osaka sky.

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Nebuta Matsuri
August 2 – 7, 202653 days left

The Giant Lantern Festival

Colossal illuminated paper floats depicting mythical warriors parade through the streets accompanied by frantic drumming.

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Sendai Tanabata
August 6 – 8, 202657 days left

The Star Festival

Sendai's shopping arcades transform into tunnels of color with 3,000+ handmade streamer decorations celebrating the legend of star-crossed lovers.

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Awa Odori
August 12 – 15, 202663 days left

The Fool's Dance Festival

Japan's largest dance festival where 1.3 million visitors join the 400-year-old tradition of wild, joyous street dancing.

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Kishiwada Danjiri
September 19 – 20, 2026101 days left

The Wild Float Race

Osaka's most dangerous and thrilling festival — massive wooden floats are raced through narrow streets at breakneck speed.

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Takayama Matsuri
October 9 – 10, 2026121 days left

The Autumn Float Festival

One of Japan's most beautiful festivals, showcasing the region's masterful woodworking through centuries-old parade floats.

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Chichibu Yomatsuri
December 2 – 3, 2026175 days left

The Night Festival

One of Japan's top three float festivals, featuring massive illuminated floats pulled up steep slopes under a canopy of winter fireworks.

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The Rhythms of Nature

From the fleeting cherry blossoms to the quiet winter snow, Japan's festivals celebrate the changing seasons.

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