Tokushima Awa Odori

There are hundreds of Awa Odori festivals that take place over the summer in Japan, but the Tokushima…

Sendai Tanabata Matsuri

Tanabata Festivals (sometimes known as “Star Festivals”) are held throughout Japan during July and August, but none is…

Akita Kanto Matsuri

The Akita Kanto Matsuri (秋田竿燈まつり) is an annual festival to pray for a good harvest known for the…

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

A summer event that is one part of the wider Tanabata celebrations, Nebuta festivals are held throughout Japan,…

Chichibu Yomatsuri

One of Japan’s greatest hikiyama (float) festivals, the Chichibu Yomatsuri is held 2-3 December every year and attracts…

Kyoto Gion Festival

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

Sapporo Snow Festival

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

Kawagoe Festival

The Kawagoe Matsuri is held over 2-days every year on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of October. What…

Harajuku Super Yosakoi

The Harajuku Super Yosakoi—or the “Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi Festival”, to give it its full name—is…

Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri

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

Mitama Matsuri

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

Sanno Matsuri

The Sanno Festival (山王祭) is the last of Tokyo’s major festivals and one of the three great festivals…