Events and Festivals in Japan

New Year Tokyo Sumo Tournament

Jan 12 〜 Jan 26

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

Kameidoten Usokae Bullfinch Exchange

Late Jan 2025

This annual event held at Kameidoten-jinja in Koto Ward celebrates the passing of good fortune into the year…

Yokohama Chinese Spring Festival

Late Jan 〜 Early Feb 2025

Annual celebrations of Chinese New Year in Japan’s biggest Chinatown

Kameido Tenjin Shrine Plum Festival

Early Feb 〜 Early Mar 2025

Over 300 plum tree blossom in the grounds of Kameido Tenjin Shrine between early February and early March.…

Sapporo Snow Festival

Early Feb 2025

What started off in 1950 as community event to display six snow statues made by local high school…

Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Feb 2025

Started by the Chinese community in Nagasaki to celebrate the Chinese New Year, this festival of lights has…

Setsubun at Narita-san

Early Feb 2025

While setsubun festivals are held at many temples across the country, the rituals at Asakusa’s Sensoji, Takao-san Yakuo-in…

Sensoji Setsubun Bean Tossing

Early Feb 2025

Traditionally setsubun (節分) marks the day before the beginning of a new season, but in post-Edo times the…

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival

Early 〜 Mid Feb 2025

The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (小樽雪あかりの路, Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi) began in 1999 with the hope…

Japan Brewers Cup

Mid Feb 2025

Domestic and international craft beers. The Japan Brewers Cup has a dual purpose: it is a beer competition…

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.