A shrine festival in Asakusabashi, Torigoe Matsuri features a procession with a four-ton portable shrine. The main event is its lantern-lit ceremonial return to the shrine at night.
The Sanno Festival in Tokyo is a biennial event centered at Hie Shrine. Its main feature is a long procession with costumes, floats, and portable shrines.
A flower festival in Bunkyo, this mid-June event at Hakusan Shrine features 3,000 blooming hydrangeas. A miniature Mt. Fuji replica, the Fuji-zuka mound, is also opened to visitors.
A dance festival in Sapporo, the Yosakoi Soran is held annually in June. It features teams performing choreographed routines with wooden clappers to folk and modern music.
A religious festival in Kyoto, the Gion Matsuri occurs in July. It features two main parades with large traditional floats, along with evening street events called yoiyama.
A summer festival in Fukuoka where teams from seven districts race through city streets carrying one-ton floats. The event’s final timed race is held before dawn on July 15.
The Tanabata festival in Hiratsuka features large decorations, parades, and food stalls in its commercial district. The event attracts numerous visitors.
A morning glory festival in Tokyo, this is Japan’s largest, held annually from July 6-8. The event features approximately 100 flower stalls and 100 food vendors.
A Tanabata festival in Tokyo, the Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri on Kappabashi-dori features a parade, performances, and street food amid bamboo decorations.
