The Best 15 Festivals In Japan

1. Sapporo Snow Festival, Hokkaido

This annual festival is an absolute must-see if you are in Hokkaido during January or February. The festival takes places over a few days and there are three main ‘sites’ to explore and be amazed by. Head to the Odori site where over 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) of main parkland that runs through the middle of Sapporo is transformed into a magical wonderland with huge snow sculptures taking over. The site of Susukino holds the annual ice sculpture competition, you’ll be frozen in awe by the sheer size, talent, and skills of the artists. Finally, the third site of Tsudome is where you can enjoy the snow and ice-related sports, great fun for all the family.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Address: 885-1 Sakaemachi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 007-0852

Website: Sapporo Snow Festival

Price: Free entry

2. Nagasaki Lantern Festival, Nagasaki

From ice and snow to the land of bright lights that illuminate the sky like a flame at the Nagasaki Lantern Festival. This popular festival also takes place in January and February over a few days. This exotic festival was originally started by Chinese residents in the area and so during the festival over 15,000 Chinese-style lanterns are lit to celebrate the Chinese New Year. There is a lot to see at the festival including a procession, dragon dance, Chinese acrobats and even erhu performances. These Chinese traditions are incredible and have a firm place in our top 15 festivals in Japan.

Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Address: Shinchi Chinatown, Chuo Koen, Tojin Yashiki, Kofukuji, Kaji-ichi, Haman-machi Arcade, Koushi-byou (Confucian Shrine

Website: Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Opening hours: 25 Jan - 8 Feb

Price: Free

3. Sanno Matsuri and Hachiman Matsuri, Takayama

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These two festivals go hand-in-hand because the Sanno Matsuri celebrates Spring and the Hachiman Matsuri celebrates the Fall period. With both a parade and Yatai Float Display the Sanno and Hachiman Matsuris are a great festival for all of the family to enjoy. We’d also recommend watching the Marionette Performance which takes place twice on each day of the festivals. For those of you that want to avoid the midday heat, there is also a nighttime performance during each of the festivals.

Sanno Matsuri & Hachiman Matsuri

Address: 2 Chome-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0014

Website: Sanno Matsuri & Hachiman Matsuri

Opening hours: 14 - 15 Apr (Sanno Matsuri), 9 - 10 Oct (Hachiman Matsuri)

Price: Free

4. Aoi Matsuri, Kyoto

Also known as the ‘Hollyhock Festival’ this is one of Kyoto’s most popular festivals with tourists flocking to watch the unique parade. The parade includes more than 500 people decked in traditional clothing as they walk from the Imperial Palace to the Kamo Shrines. This special festival gives you a glimpse into the Heian Period. Be warned though, it’s incredibly busy so arrive early and make a base.

Aoi Matsuri

Address: 3 Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0881

Website: Aoi Matsurin

Opening hours: 15 May: 10:30am onwards

Price: Free

5. Gion Festival, Kyoto

To many people, this is the most famous festival in Japan and celebrates the Yasaka Shrine. This festival is actually a month-long, taking place over July, but the main procession is on the 17th of July. This incredible spectacle includes floats which are up to 25 meters (82 feet) in height. The Gion Festival in Kyoto is also one of the oldest festivals, dating back to 869. Uniquely, even today a local child is chosen as the divine messenger and his feet must not touch the ground from the 13th July until after the parade on the 17th.

Gion Festival

Address: 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073

Website: Gion Festival

Price: Free

6. Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival, Fukuoka

Ever expected to see a timed race during a traditional Japanese festival? Well, neither did we. That is until we stumbled upon the special Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival. On the 15th of July, participants congregate in the early hours of the morning to test their fitness with a timed race around the local area. Did we mention that they also push 5-meter (16 feet) high parade floats? An absolute ‘must-see’ festival in our eyes.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival

Address: 1-41 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0026

Website: Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival

Opening hours: 15 July: 5am onwards

Price: Free

7. Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Aomori

Another festival where the parade relies on sheer human force is the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri. The parade itself is 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) and there are plenty of seating spots. This parade is made better by the fact that onlookers can join in the fun by renting or purchasing their own traditional costumes for a good price from many local stores. The best nights are 4th to 6th August where all of the floats are put on display. The festival is closed with an impressive two-hour festive display on the waterfront.

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

Address: 2-1 Yasukata Aomori-shi (By Aomori Prefectural Center for Tourism and Industry)

Website: Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

Opening hours: 2 - 7 Aug

Price: Free

8. Sendai Tanabata Festival, Miyagi

Also known as ‘Star Festivals’ this is the first Tanabata-style festival that has made it to our list. So, what can you expect? This festival celebrates a very special day in which on the 7th day of the 7th month. According to Chinese legend, the two stars Altair and Vega cross paths. The Sendai Tanabata Festival is held every year on the 6th to the 8th August. The streets will be lined with bright and colorful streamers, various street events take place and people will be writing their wishes and hanging them on trees. Oh, and of course, there are fireworks too.

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Address: 3 Chome-2 Ichibancho, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0811

Website: Sendai Tanabata Festival

Opening hours: 6 - 7 Aug: 10am - 10pm; 8 Aug: 10am - 9pm

Price: Free

9. Akita Kanto Festival, Akita

One of the more traditional and dynamic festivals on our list is the Akita Kanto Festival. Taking place every year in August this festival sees the impressive skills of the locals who balance long bamboo poles called Kanto with lots of paper lanterns on various points of their bodies. Ever wanted to see someone balance a pole, on their hand, forehead or hip? You can’t beat this amazing display of talent. The night display includes a parade of over 250 Kanto poles.

Akita Kanto Festival

Address: 1 Chome-4-2 Nakadori, Akita, 010-0001

Website: Akita Kanto Festival

Opening hours: 3 - 6 Aug: 7:25pm - 9pm

Price: Free

10. Awaodori Festival, Tokushima

One of the many popular dance festivals in Japan, the ‘Fool’s Dance’ is over 400 years old. Most of the events take place during the evening, although there are a few daytime activities. You should expect the center of the town to be closed and instead turned into a giant dance stage. If you want to go to this festival, be sure to book a hotel early as they will be fully booked as the date approaches. There are both free and paid spectator spots so check online beforehand.

Awaodori Festival

Address: 1-4 Minamiuchi-machi, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima-ken

Website: Awaodori Festival

Opening hours: 12 - 15 Aug: 10am - 9:30pm

11. Jidai Matsuri, Kyoto

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This annual event takes place on the 22nd of October to celebrate the foundation of Kyoto and represents Japanese culture through the ages. With over 2,000 participants you should be prepared for the parade to last for 2 hours. You’ll be amazed by the transition through time and be able to see first hand, the Japanese culture, and style developing before your very eyes.

Jidai Matsuri

Address: 3 Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0881

Website: Jidai Matsuri

Opening hours: 22 Oct: 12 pm onwards

Price: Free

12. Yosakoi Festival, Kochi

Yosakoi Festival is actually one of Japan’s 10 largest festivals, which is surprising considering that it is fairly new to the rota. First started just 60 years ago this extremely popular festival takes places from the 9th until the 12th of August and began as a summer pastime. The specialist dancing includes performers that wear bright clothing and dance with ‘naruko’ wooden clappers. In total there are 16 stages in Kochi for this festival so you’ll have plenty of fun throughout the whole day.

Yosakoi Festival

Address: Around Kochi City (16 Places), Kochi, Kochi Prefecture

Website: Yosakoi Festival

Price: Free

13. Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri, Okinawa

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This impressive lazer and firework show is great fun if you are in the area! Lasting for three days you can enjoy a parade and witness lots of unique performances on the two main stages. The Eisa is a style of dance that is performed over the O-bon holidays. This time of year is a way to pay your respects and send-off the ancestors who have visited your home. Standing spaces are free, expect it to be busy, or if you’d rather have a bit more added comfort you might want to purchase a ticket for the bleacher-style seating.

Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri

Address: Koza Music Town vicinity, Okinawa City Koza Sports Park, Athletic Stadium

Website: Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri

Price: Free entry

14. Owara Kaze no Bon Festival, Toyama

This festival always takes place across the first three days of September. It may be a little bit harder to reach than some of the other destinations on our list but we’re sure that you’ll think it’s worthwhile. If you are searching for something that truly feels like a traditional festival then you should look no further than the Owara Kaze no Bon Festival. You can join in the prayers to appease the gods, avoid natural disasters and ensure a healthy harvest for the coming year. With their unique hats, colorful clothing and stunning dancing you’ll soon be swept up in the ambiance.

Owara Kaze no Bon Festival

Address: 2898-1 Yatsuomachi Kamishin-machi, Toyama-shi, Toyama-ken

Website: Owara Kaze no Bon Festival

Opening hours: 1 - 3 Sep: 7pm onwards

Price: Free entry

15. Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri, Osaka

The final festival on our list, but by no means our least favorite, is the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri in Osaka. If you’ve been to Osaka before you’ll know well the bright lights of Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, but just a short train ride from Namba station is a very different city. This festival includes the use of numerous wooden floats in a tradition that is over 300 years old. We don’t want to give too many spoilers but let’s just say that there is some, specialist (somewhat acrobatic) balancing going on as the huge wooden floats traverse the streets. Just go and you’ll see what we mean.

Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri

Address: 1-9 Miyamotochō, Kishiwada-shi, Ōsaka-fu 596-0054, Japan

Website: Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri

Opening hours: 15 Sep: 6am - 10pm; 16 Sep: 9am - 10pm

Price: Free

Step into the magical world of tradition, dance and celebration

Japan is known worldwide for its unique culture, hospitality, and incredible design. We’ve had a great time selecting these top 15 best festivals in Japan, so that you too, can truly see the beauty of Japan during your time here. Each of these festivals celebrates something special, so what are you waiting for? Grab your flight ticket, start your packing and before you know it, you’ll be dancing down the street (or at least watching them dance) in your very own yukata.