Sengakuji’s Ako Gishi Sai

Dec 14 / 11:00 AM3:00 PM
The story of the 47 ronin is one of Japan’s most celebrated and famous. While in English it…

December Setagaya Boroichi Market

Dec 15Dec 16
This market in the suburbs of Setagaya has its origins over 400 years ago when people began exchanging…

Oji Fox Parade

Dec 31, 2024Jan 1, 2025
The legend goes that foxes from all regions would gather under a large tree on New Year’s Eve…

Hakone Ekiden

Jan 2, 2025Jan 3, 2025
Ekiden (駅伝) is the term for road relay in Japanese, the two kanji meaning “station” and “transmission” in…

Imperial Family New Year Greeting

Early Jan 2025
The traditional New Year greeting by the Imperial Family from the long balcony of the Chowaden Hall. Members…

New Year Firefighter Ceremony

Early Jan 2025
The New Year Firefighter Ceremony—officially called dezome-shiki (出初式)—is a display of acrobatics and other skills organized by the…

Tokyo Auto Salon

Jan 10, 2025Jan 12, 2025
The Tokyo Auto Salon is one of the biggest events in the car modification and tune-up world. Held…

Ome Daruma Market

Mid Jan 2025
Daruma are hollow, round, traditional Japanese dolls that are usually weighted at the bottom so no matter which…

Daikoku Matsuri

Mid Jan 2025
The association of Kanda Myojin with wealth and good fortune (it is after all home to two of…

New Year Tokyo Sumo Tournament

Jan 12, 2025Jan 26, 2025
Six major sumo tournaments (called honbasho) are held during the year—one on each odd month, each taking place…

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.