Events and Festivals in Japan

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Mid Apr 〜 Late May 2025

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

May Tokyo Sumo Tournament

May 11 〜 May 25

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

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Mid 〜 Late May 2025

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

Sanja Matsuri

Mid May 2025

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

Asakusa Yabusame Archery

Late May 2025

Yabusame (horseback archery) has its roots in the Kamakura period when samurai used the competition to improve their skills…

Katsushika Iris Festival

Early 〜 Mid Jun 2025

During the first half of June, Mizumoto Park in Katsushika ward comes alive with over 14,000 iris flowers…

Kyoto Gion Festival

Jul 1 〜 Jul 31

Kyoto’s Gion Festival (京都祇園祭, Kyoto Gion Matsuri) is the city’s biggest festival and one of the most famous…

Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri

Early Jul 2025

Tanabata (七夕) has origins in a Chinese festival of old and is celebrated not just in Japan, but…

Asakusa Hozuki Ichi

Jul 9 〜 Jul 10

The Hozuki Ichi (ほおずき市, hōzuki-ichi) is a summer tradition that has been held since the Edo period on…

Mitama Matsuri

Mid Jul 2025

One of Tokyo’s most popular summer festivals, Mitama Matsuri (みたままつり) at Yasukuni Shrine has been held every year…

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.