10 Japanese Festivals to Experience 2025/2026

Japan hosts around 30 different kinds of celebrations all over the year. From magnificent parades and exquisitely designed floats to spectacular fireworks and dances, there is a wide range of celebrations during the festivals. Today, we'll introduce you to ten Japanese festivals that will give you a more immersive experience on a trip to Japan.

Cherry BlossomCherry Blossom

Every year, people across Japan celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival, a thousand-year-old tradition that marks the arrival of spring. The festival typically takes place between late March and mid-April, but the exact timing varies depending on the location and the blooming schedule of the cherry blossoms.

If you're visiting Japan in the spring, don't miss this event. Set aside a day to enjoy sweet drinks and snacks while taking in the breathtaking sight of cherry blossoms in full bloom, whether in shades of white, red, or pink.

Some of the best places to experience Japan's cherry blossom festivals are:

  • Ueno Park, Tokyo: Enjoy a lively atmosphere with thousands of cherry trees in bloom.
  • Maruyama Park, Kyoto: Experience the iconic weeping cherry tree, beautifully illuminated at night.
  • Osaka Castle Park, Osaka: Admire cherry blossoms against the backdrop of the historic Osaka Castle.
  • Himeji Castle, Hyogo: Take in the breathtaking view of cherry blossoms surrounding Japan's most famous castle.
  • Mount Yoshino, Nara: Witness a stunning panorama of over 30,000 cherry trees covering the mountainside.

Each location offers a unique and stunning view of the cherry blossoms in their peak beauty.

If you're planning to travel to Sapporo, you must immerse yourself in the Sapporo Snow Festival, one of the world's largest snow festivals.

The celebration is held every year during the first week of February. It will be celebrated in Odori Park and Susukino in Sapporo from February 4th to February 11th, 2024.

You can see many shapes of ice-carved sculptures, including famous cartoon and movie characters. Surprisingly, some are depicted as hairy crabs, salmon, magnificent eagles, or other animals. Moreover, the snow festival offers a wide variety of activities, such as curling, snow slides, and mazes. If these are not exciting enough, you can also try to circle the city by balloon.

Sapporo Snow FestivalSapporo Snow Festival

With a long history of around 740 years, the Takayama Festival in Gifu Prefecture is thought to be one of the three most beautiful festivals in Japan. The festival takes place every spring and autumn. The spring festival falls on April 14 and 15, while the autumn one falls on October 9 and 10.

The gorgeous wooden floats will color Takayama Town. They are elaborately made into small houses, or Yatai, embellished with resplendent decorations and lanterns. During the parade, "karakuri" marionettes put on a fascinating performance, and young performers play their traditional folk tunes on the floats.

Sanja Festival, or Sanja Matsuri, one of the three great Shinto festivals in Tokyo, is held in Asakusa district annually in mid-May (on the third weekend of May) and will last for 3 days.

During the festival, you can see the procession of about 100 portable shrines (mikoshi) that are paraded through the streets to bring good fortune to the community. The atmosphere is filled with the sounds of traditional Japanese drums and flutes, and the streets are lined with food stalls and festival games.

Note: There will be a ceremony in Asakusa Shrine on the third day of the festival, and you will not be allowed to enter Sensoji's entrance gates due to space and safety concerns.

Senso-ji TempleSenso-ji Temple

If you're visiting Osaka in the summer, check out your schedule. Is it between July 24 and 25? If so, you will be awarded a fantastic experience - the Tenjin Festival!

Known as one of Japan's largest and most vibrant festivals, Tenjin Matsuri has been celebrated for over 1,000 years. It is beginning with a ritual at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine to honor Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of scholarship and the arts.

The real excitement happens on July 25. During the day, thousands of locals don traditional kimonos and participate in a lively land procession, featuring folk music and dance. As night falls, the festivities move to the Okawa River, where over 100 illuminated boats create a stunning spectacle. The evening culminates in a breathtaking fireworks display, with locals releasing paper lanterns into the river, adding a magical touch to the night.

One of the most famous summer events in Japan, the Sendai Tanabata Festival, takes place annually from August 6th to August 8th. This 400-year-old tradition is inspired by the Chinese legend of star-crossed lovers.

The city's shopping district is decked out in elaborate Sasakazari decorations crafted from colorful paper. A highlight is the opportunity to craft your own "Seven Decorations" at the festival. In addition, Sendai's rich culture and history are on display in Kotodai Park through a big procession and performances.

Aomori's Nebuta Festival, held from August 2 to 7, is an awe-inspiring celebration. You can see giant illuminated floats depicting warriors and mythical figures parade through the city, accompanied by vibrant music from taiko drums, flutes, and hand cymbals.

The festival's energy is infectious, with costumed dancers, known as hanetos, inviting spectators to join in the dance. Participating in the haneto dance is a memorable experience, especially for first-timers who don the traditional attire.

Don't forget to reserve seating along the parade route, which offers an excellent vantage point to fully immerse yourself in the spectacle.

The Awa Odori Dance Festival in Tokushima City is a lively four-day celebration that transforms the streets into a stage. From August 12 to 15, the city comes alive with dancers clad in yukata and happi coats, performing the rhythmic and joyful Awa Odori dance.

After the performances, stroll through the streets lined with food stalls for the ideal conclusion to an evening of dance and culture.

Yosakoi festivals, a public sacrificial ceremony, are popular on Japan's Shikoku Island and usually fall in early October. At this festival, you can witness a wide range of dances.

At the celebration, more than 150 groups of over 5,000 dancers of different ages and genders wear long, fancy, kimono-like costumes. If you are passionate about dance, you must visit and stay on Jozenji-dori Avenue, where the locals hold a grand dance parade. You can enjoy many fantastic spectacles. The distinctive ringing of narukos fills the street. No matter how many times you participate in the dance parade at the Michinoku Yosakoi Festival, you will definitely be infected by the inexhaustible supply of enthusiasm of the locals.

The Nagasaki Lantern Festival illuminates the city with over 15,000 vibrant lanterns from late January to mid-February. The festival transforms Nagasaki into a wonderland of light, especially in Shinchi Chinatown and along the Spectacles Bridge. The lanterns, shaped like animals, gods, and mythical creatures, create a magical atmosphere. The festival is also known for its cultural performances, including dragon dances, lion dances, and acrobatics, offering a unique blend of Japanese traditions.

Diverse Japanese festivals will offer you the chance to experience many weird and breathtaking kinds of Japanese traditions. If you want a unique trip to Japan, just feel free to contact us. We're happy to share with you more detailed information about these festivals and tailor an itinerary based on your preferences.

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