Events and Festivals in Japan

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Apr 15 〜 May 28

From mid April through to the end of May 800,000 shibazakura flowers (pink moss or phlox moss) come…

Kyu-Furukawa Rose Festival

Apr 29 〜 Jun 30

Annual rose festival at Kyu-Furukawa Gardens with about 100 varieties of flowers coming into bloom. The western-style mansion…

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Mid 〜 Late May 2023

The Sapporo Lilac Festival began in 1959 and the lilac tree was designated the official tree of city…

Kanda Matsuri

May 11 〜 May 17

Kanda Matsuri is held in mid-May at Kanda Myojin Shrine on odd numbered years (so intense was the…

May Tokyo Sumo Tournament

May 14 〜 May 28

Six major sumo tournaments (called honbasho) are held during the year—one on each odd month, each taking place…

Toshogu Shrine Grand Festival

May 17 〜 May 18

The Grand Festival (例大祭) at Nikko Toshogu Shrine is held on 17 & 18 May every year in…

International Museum Day

May 18

International Museum Day has been held every 18 May since 1977 in a bid to raise awareness of…

Sanja Matsuri

May 19 〜 May 21

Held annually on the third weekend of May, Sanja Matsuri is probably Tokyo’s biggest festival. It celebrates the…

Laos Festival

May 27 〜 May 28

Over the course of the year Tokyo plays host to festivals from just about all the southeast Asian…

This event has been canceled

Okinawa Festival

Late May 2023

The Okinawa Festival returns this year with performances from musicians on the main stage, food stalls, and booths…

A calendar of all the major events and festivals in Japan. Wherever possible, the link to the event’s official website is provided and visitors are advised to confirm scheduling details on the official website before attending to ensure there have not been any last minute changes.