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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260328
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260429
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170324T035034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073218Z
UID:10000371-1774656000-1777420799@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Bunkyo Azalea Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:One of the five flower festivals of Bunkyo Ward\, this time Nezu Shrine takes the spotlight. The Azalea Festival (つつじ祭り\, Tsutsuji Matsuri) has over 3\,000 flowers and 100 varieties of Azalea (a genus of Rhododendron) that bloom from early April until early May. Performances take place in the grounds of the shrine and there is also small cafe area by the pond where you can enjoy manju dumplings\, amazake\, and complimentary green tea. The festival runs from 9:00 to 17:30 each day. A small admission fee is requested to walk through the azalea garden.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/bunkyo-tsutsuji-matsuri/
LOCATION:Nezu Shrine\, Nezu Shrine\, 1-28-9 Nezu\, Bunkyo\, Tokyo\, 113-0031\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Nature
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DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260404T110000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260404T164500
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170403T033338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073201Z
UID:10000406-1775300400-1775321100@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Kanamara Matsuri ("Penis Festival") Parade 2026
DESCRIPTION:Kanamara Matsuri (otherwise known as the “Penis Festival” or “Festival of the Steel Phallus”) is an annual festival held in early April at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki. It started in 1978 and\, amusingly\, the festival had a much quieter existence until people began uploading YouTube videos of a huge\, phallic structure being carried down the road and foreigners both in Japan and abroad caught wind of this remarkably unusual celebration. Today\, about 30\,000 attend the event with foreigners making up a good portion of this number. \nKanayama Shrine has long been associated with sex. It enshrines two deities which together are the gods of blacksmithing and sex\, and during the Edo period prostitutes who plied their trade at the lodges along the commercial routes prayed at the shrine to protect themselves from disease. \nBringing out “Elizabeth”\nThe festival begins in earnest at 11am but the main procession takes place at midday. The three mikoshi (portable shrines) make their way down the street and past the train station before returning back to Kanayama Shrine. These mikoshi are out on display in the grounds of the shrine beforehand\, but the event has become so popular that by 11am the organisers may start refusing entry if the numbers swell too much. For this reason you are advised to arrive early in the morning (ideally before 9am) when the queues for the food\, sakura beer\, penis emblazoned t-shirts\, and penis-shaped candy are much shorter\, and you can enjoy the atmosphere without being pushed to and fro. Incidentally\, if you do purchase one of the larger penis-shaped lollipops\, don’t be surprised if you get some camera-laden festival goers asking you if they can take your photograph while you’re sucking on the sweet… \nIt’s not just the visitors that get involved\nWhile this all may sound lewd and a little vulgar\, the festival is not some tongue-in-cheek event\, but a traditional festival to pray for fertility\, healthy childbirth\, and safe sex\, and the money raised during the event goes towards supporting research into HIV and AIDS. That said\, many go in colourful costumes wearing penis and vagina face masks\, and phallic-shaped candles\, key rings\, and other objects are sold in the shrine’s grounds. \nEven the food is phallic shaped\nThe festival is also an opportunity to promote the LGBT community. The huge pink phallic mikoshi which invariably receives most of the media attention was donated by the Tokyo drag queen club Elizabeth Kaikan (the mikoshi is called “Elizabeth”) and is carried by members of the transgender community. \nDetails\nThe nearest station in Kawasaki-daishi Station on the Keikyu-Daishi Line. From central Tokyo easiest access is from Shinagawa Station. \nWaiting for the procession\nThe main procession usually begins at midday but you are advised to arrive well beforehand. Further\, if you want a good spot you should be waiting on the street before midday. There needs to be a clear passage for the mikoshi (especially since the street itself is not that wide) so the organisers will cordon off the pavements with rope about 10 minutes before the procession begins. If you’re on the wrong side of this then you’re going to be ushered all the way down the street. Once the procession passes\, the rope comes down and you can follow along with everyone else. \nDue to the festival’s popularity among foreign tourists\, announcements are also made in English (to many cheers from the crowd).
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/kanamara-matsuri-penis-festival/
LOCATION:Kanayama Shrine\, Kanayama Shrine\, 2-13-16 Daishi Ekimae\, Kawasaki\, Kanagawa\, 210-0802\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260408T100000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260408T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170409T130621Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073143Z
UID:10000411-1775642400-1775660400@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Hana Matsuri at Sensoji 2026
DESCRIPTION:This event at Sensoji Temple celebrates the Buddha’s birthday on 8 April and is more formally called Bussho-e (仏生会) or Kanbutsu-e (灌仏会). Visitors can pour ama-cha onto a small figurine of the Buddha in front of the Five-Storied Pagoda in deference to the legend that when the Buddha was born nine dragons descended from the heavens and covered him with nectar. A picture depicting the Buddha’s birth is placed in the main hall\, and visitors are treated to a free ama-cha service between 10am and 3pm. There is a small parade at 10am to place the Buddha’s picture in the main hall\, and many girls come to the event dressed in kimono. \nPouring ama-cha on the Buddha
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/hana-matsuri-bussho-e/
LOCATION:Sensoji Temple\, Senso-ji\, 2-3-1 Asakusa\, Taito\, Tokyo\, 111-0032\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260409
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260523
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180423T094905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073310Z
UID:10000715-1775692800-1779494399@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Fuji Shibazakura Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:From mid April through to the end of May 800\,000 shibazakura flowers (pink moss or phlox moss) come into bloom near Lake Motosu in the Fuji Five Lakes region. This produces vivid patterns of pink\, purple\, blue\, and white—all set against the backdrop of Mount Fuji. The Mt. Fuji Delicious Food Festival is also held during the Fuji Shibazakura Festival with vendors selling pots of pink moss along with the usually festival food and assortment of local souvenirs. \nA mini Mount Fuji\nLike Hitsujiyama Park’s Shibazakura Hill in Saitama\, the Fuji Shibazakura Festival gets extremely crowded and so it is best to visit on a weekday and avoid the Golden Week public holiday period in the first week of May. \nGetting there\nThe easiest way is by the Fuji Kyuko Bus which operates a direct service to the Fuji Shibazakura Festival during the shibazakura season. The bus departs from Shinjuku and takes approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes. Keio Dentetsu Bus also runs a service which recommends changing at Kawaguchiko Station to the Shibazakura Liner. The Shibazakura Liner costs 2\,000 yen for a round-trip (includes the entrance fee for the Fuji Shibazakura Festival) and buses depart approximately every 30 minutes. \nBy train it takes about 2 hours to Kawaguchiko Station from central Tokyo. From Kawaguchiko Station you can board the Shibazakura Liner to reach the festival.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/fuji-shibazakura-festival/
LOCATION:Fuji Motosuko Resort\, 富士芝桜まつり\, 212 Motosu\, Fujikawaguchiko-machi\, Minamitsuru\, Yamanashi\, 401-0337\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Nature
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260411T100000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260411T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170410T011521Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073259Z
UID:10000508-1775901600-1775923200@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Edo Yoshiwara Ichiyo Sakura Matsuri (Oiran Dochu) 2026
DESCRIPTION:Oiran (花魁) is a word used to refer to the high-class prostitutes that worked in the Yoshiwara red-light district (Yoshiwara-Yukaku) during the Edo period. The Ichiyo Sakura Matsuri started in 2003 to preserve this piece of Edo history. It takes place along a 500m or so stretch of road with members in full Edo period dress slowly making their way to the small main stage for a series of short performances\, before parading back down the road again. The fact that they move at a snail’s pace and stop in front of the crowd to pose for photographs makes it a highly entertaining event and a unique chance to see the old Edo costumes. \n\n						\n						The main procession\n						\n						\n						Just as interesting from behind…\n						\n						\n						Theatrical performances follow main procession of the geisha\n						\nDetails\nThe procession starts west of the main stage around 13:00 and returns after performances on the main stage around 14:45. It’s a popular event so if you want a spot at the front probably best to get there around midday. In case of rain\, the event may be postponed to the following day.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/edo-yoshiwara-ichiyo-sakura-matsuri-oiran-dochu/
LOCATION:Ichiyo Sakura Komatsu Dori\, 一葉桜小松橋通り\, 4-40-7 Asakusa\, Taito\, Tokyo\, 111-0032\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260413
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260418
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20181129T132057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073249Z
UID:10000729-1776038400-1776470399@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Nikko Yayoi Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Yayoi Festival (弥生祭\, Yayoi Matsuri) is held on the 13 to 17 of April each year at Futarasan-jinja. It dates back 1\,200 years and is regarded as the festival that beckons in the spring season. Numerous portable shrines (mikoshi) are carried as part of the festival and visitors are welcome help with the lifting\, too.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/nikko-yayoi-festival/
LOCATION:Nikko Futarasan Shrine\, 2307 Sannai\, Nikko\, Tochigi\, 321-1431\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260417
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260511
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180321T021420Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073322Z
UID:10000696-1776384000-1778457599@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Hitsujiyama Park Shibazakura Hill 2026
DESCRIPTION:From mid-April until early May each year Shibazakura Hill in Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu turns a sea of pink with moss phlox flowers (芝桜\, shibazakura). The many different hues of pink\, purple\, blue\, and white attract a huge number of visitors each year\, as well as media attention from across the country. 400\,000 shibazakura of 9 species cover the 17\,600 square meters of the the park during this time\, and there are many benches above the fields where visitors can take a rest and gaze upon the vivid colours. \n \nAlthough Hitsujiyama Park is normally free\, an entrance fee of ¥300 is requested during shibazakura season. You can also purchase tickets outside Seibu-Chichibu Station. The park is about a 15-minute walk from the Seibu-Chichibu Station—including a 700-meter fairly steep uphill climb to reach the entrance. During the shibazakura season there is also a large market area just after the main entrance where you can buy food\, sake\, beer\, refreshments\, as well as a variety of souvenirs. \nAlso check out the Fuji Shibazakura Festival which is held about the same time. \n \nGetting there\nTake the “Red Arrow” train from Ikebukuro Station to Seibu-Chichibu Station. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes with trains leaving once every 30 minutes. All seats on the train are reserved so you need to purchase the express surcharge ticket at the ticket machines before boarding.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/hitsujiyama-park-moss-pink-hill/
LOCATION:Hitsujiyama Park\, Hitsuyama Park\, 6360 Omiya\, Chichibu\, Saitama\, 368-0023\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Nature
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260430
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260506
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170501T063848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073349Z
UID:10000525-1777507200-1778025599@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Kurayami Matsuri (Darkness Festival) 2026
DESCRIPTION:Kurayami Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s most popular festivals and one with a rich and long history with roots that extend as far back as the 11th century. The draw today is the fact that the festival’s main events take place in the dark (as you might have guessed from the name). This is because long ago it was believed that sacred things should not be seen with the naked eye. Today the festival attracts over 700\,000 visitors over the course of the week and in 2010 it was designated a Folk Cultural Treasure. The main events take place over the 3-6 May but rituals to prepare for the event take place from 30 April. The schedule of events is below. \n30 April\nFrom 1pm the priests and those who will participate in the festival cleanse themselves water from the Shinagawa River near Ebara Shrine (in Shinagawa Ward) and take this water back to Okunitama Shrine to be used during the festival (a long-standing tradition for the festival). \n1 May\nPrayers for dry weather and safety during the festival from 9:30am. \n2 May\nFrom 7:30-8:00pm the 8 mirrors that are used on the portable shrines (mikoshi) are cleansed with salt because it is believed that the mirror reflects not only your physical self\, but the spirit within\, and so by cleansing the mirrors you are also cleansing those that will carry the mikoshi. \n3 May\nBetween 6pm and 8pm eight floats parade along the street. This is followed by a horse procession called komakurabe in Japanese\, whereby the speed\, prowess\, and obedience of the horse is displayed. Six horses make 3 round trips up the 150 meter stretch of road. \n4 May\nThe first full day of the festival. Processions take place from 9am and the day culminates in a parade of 24 lantern-laden floats between 6pm and 9pm. \n5 May\nEvents start in the morning but the main event of the day—and indeed the festival—when six portable shrines are carried through the streets from 6pm. These mikoshi return to the shrine at 4am the following morning.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/kurayami-matsuri/
LOCATION:Okunitama Shrine\, Okunitama Shrine\, 3-3-1 Miyamachi\, Fuchu\, Tokyo\, 183-0023\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260504
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170619T011725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073356Z
UID:10000559-1777593600-1777852799@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Omiya Bonsai Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:The annual Omiya Bonsai Matsuri is held in the world famous Omiya Bonsai Village in Kita-ku\, Saitama. The village is beautiful any time of the year\, but it is especially worth visiting during the festival when the six gardens of the village put on special exhibitions of their most prized bonsai\, and bonsai from amateurs and other members of the local community are also put up for show. Bonsai and bonsai gardening equipment are available for purchase during the festival. \nGetting there\nOmiyakoen Station is the closest station to the village\, but Toro Station to the north is only a 10-minute walk away and has better access from Shibuya/Shinjuku (it’s a stop on the Shonan-Shinjuku Line).
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/omiya-bonsai-matsuri/
LOCATION:Omiya Bonsai Village\, 大宮盆栽村\, Bonsaicho\, Kita Ward\, Saitama\, Saitama\, 331-0805\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Nature
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260502T130000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260502T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170502T005700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073428Z
UID:10000526-1777726800-1777741200@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Kachiya Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:Over 1\,000 years ago the military leader Fujiwara no Hidesato came to the shrine to pray for victory in the war when the feudal lord Taira no Masakado began an uprising against the imperial court. Following the suppression of the rebellion\, Fujiwara no Hidesato gave a bow and arrow to the shrine in thanks for the gods and named it kachiya (winning arrow). Today this story is remembered through the parade and Kachiya Festival (勝矢祭\, Kachiya-sai). Participants in samurai-attire march out of Kameidokatori Shrine at 1pm and return around 3pm. The festival is held around the shrine from 3pm onwards.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/kachiya-matsuri/
LOCATION:Kameidokatori Shrine\, Kameidokatori Shrine\, 3-57-22 Kameido\, Koto\, Tokyo\, 136-0071\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260507
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260514
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170326T031212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073441Z
UID:10000495-1778112000-1778716799@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Kanda Matsuri 2026
DESCRIPTION:Kanda Matsuri is held in mid-May at Kanda Myojin Shrine on odd numbered years (so intense was the festival that during the Edo period the shogun decreed it cannot take place every year). The festival is held over a 6-day period\, but the main event takes place on the Saturday and Sunday: a parade through the surrounding districts of Kanda\, Nihombashi\, Otemachi\, and Marunouchi\, including floats and priests on horseback. \nThe crowded grounds of the shrine during the festival\nSchedule\nThursday\nThe first event of the festival called horen-mikoshi senzasai (鳳輦神輿遷座祭) starts at 7pm. Shinto priests dressed in white gowns perform a ritual to place the spirits of the three gods of Kanda Myojin (Daikoku\, Ebisu\, and Masakado) into three portable shrines. \nFriday\nFrom dusk an event is held to transfer the spirits of the gods to the 200 mikoshi owned by the 108 town councils in the area. Lanterns are hung from Kanda to Nihonbashi and Akihabara. \nSaturday\nThe first day of the two main days of the festival. Shinkosai (神幸祭) sees the three portable shrines housing the spirits of the gods carried out of the shrine and around the surrounding area. The Uke Matsuri (附け祭) at 3pm is the most popular event—all manner of floats depart from different places around the area and arrive at Kanda Myojin Shrine around 6pm. \nSunday\nMikoshi-Miyairi (神輿宮入). Over 200 portable shrines travel around the area from dawn to dusk. \nMonday\nPerformance on a temporary stage in the shrine’s grounds from 6pm. \nTuesday\nA delicate and intricate tea offering to the gods takes place at 11am. \nWednesday\nReitaisai (例大祭) is said to be one of Kanda Myojin’s most important events to pray for prosperity and peace in Japan. The ceremony takes place from 2pm.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/kanda-matsuri/
LOCATION:Kanda Myojin\, 2-16-2 Sotokanda\, Chiyoda\, Tokyo\, 101-0021\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260515T103000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260515T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180730T101616Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073457Z
UID:10000723-1778841000-1778864400@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Kyoto Aoi Matsuri 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Aoi Matsuri (葵祭) or the “Hollyhock Festival” is one of Kyoto’s three major festivals (the others being Gion Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri) and is held on 15 May every year. It is an excellent chance to see Heian Period costume\, as approximately 500 parade members make their way from the Imperial Palace to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine. \nThe festival’s origins are thought to date back to Emperor Kinmei (CE 539-571). Around that time\, the country was ravaged by hard rain\, typhoons\, and poor harvests\, so an imperial envoy was dispatched to offer prayers to the deities at the two shrines. Following this\, the rains stopped and the crops began to grow again—a turn of events accredited to the gods. \n \nOver the subsequent years the festival grew in size to the point where in the city of Kyoto the word “festival” simply referred to the Aoi Matsuri. Today\, the parade is led by an Imperial Messenger who is followed by a entourage consisting of men on horseback\, ox-drawn carts\, cows\, hundreds of parade members and the Saiō-Dai (斎王代)—the other main figure of the parade. Traditionally\, the Saiō-Dai was chosen among the women of the Imperial Family to dedicate herself to the Shimogamo Shrine\, performing rituals and ceremonies. Today the role is performed by an unmarried woman from Kyoto\, but she must still go through many purification rituals before being allowed to put on the traditional 12 layer kimono (which weighs 30 kilograms in total). \nThe Aoi Matsuri has kept its form for over 1\,400 years despite extended periods of suspension (including one for almost 200 years) and for this reason it is one of the city’s most cherished festivals. \n \nThe parade starts at 10:30am at the southern gate of the Imperial Palace before heading east along Marutamachi-dori towards the Kamo River. It reaches Shimogamo Shrine around 11:40am where ceremonies are performed before the parade departs again at 2:20pm and moves northwest (crossing the Kamo River twice along the way) to arrive at Kamigamo Shrine around 3:30pm. \nPaid seating is available at the Imperial Palace and Shimogamo Shrine\, but if you want to see the parade and ceremony for free be prepared to arrive early. Enquires about paid seating should be made to the Kyoto City Tourism Association (see here for details—Japanese only).
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/aoi-matsuri/
LOCATION:Kyoto City\, Kyoto\, Kyoto\, Kyoto\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260523T130000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260523T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170326T022707Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T073517Z
UID:10000494-1779541200-1779546600@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Asakusa Yabusame Archery 2026
DESCRIPTION:Yabusame (horseback archery) has its roots in the Kamakura period when samurai used the competition to improve their skills (indeed\, Kamakura is host to a much larger event that takes place three times per year). During the Edo period\, the horseback archery event was held on 5 January at Asakusa Shrine\, but today takes place annually in mid-April in the nearby Sumida Park. The competitors—dressed in traditional hunting attire—aim to hit all three targets with a special arrow which has a turnip-shaped tip. \nDetails\nThere are two events: a standard archery display called kusajishi (草鹿) or “grass deer”—dry grass bundled together to look like a deer which samurai used to use for practice—and the main event: the horseback archery. \n\nArchery: 11:45-12:45\nHorseback archery: 13:00-14:30\n\nAs you might expect\, the horseback archery session draws a lot of spectators and so purchasing the tickets in advance is strongly advised. There are 550 seats in total (excluding seating reserved for those with disabilities)\, 150 seats of which are for foreign visitors only as English-speaking staff are on hand in this area. Tickets are available for purchase from 1 March from the Taito Ward Municipal Offices (9th floor) or the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center (1st floor).
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/asakusa-yabusame-archery/
LOCATION:Sumida Park\, Sumida Park\, 1-2-5 Mukojima\, Sumida\, Tokyo\, 131-0033\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260611
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170529T050912Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240904T013631Z
UID:10000545-1780272000-1781135999@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Sanno Matsuri 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Sanno Festival (山王祭) is the last of Tokyo’s major festivals and one of the three great festivals of Edo. It takes place over an 11-day period at Hie Shrine in Chiyoda on even-numbered years. There are many small events over the course of the festival\, but the main attraction is the 300-strong procession through central Tokyo replete with floats and mikoshi (portable shrines) which departs from Hie Shrine at 7:30am and returns at 4:45pm on the 8th. Hie Shrine is in fact the designated protector of the city (it was built on high ground so that it could be seen from the former Edo Castle)\, and the procession goes via Tokyo Imperial Palace so that the head priest can perform a rituals to offer prayers to the emperor. See here for the full events schedule (Japanese only).
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/sanno-matsuri/
LOCATION:Hie Shrine\, Hie Shrine\, 2-10-5 Nagatacho\, Chiyoda\, Tokyo\, 100-0014\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260801
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260805
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180224T013132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T052943Z
UID:10000679-1785542400-1785887999@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Akita Kanto Matsuri 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Akita Kanto Matsuri (秋田竿燈まつり) is an annual festival to pray for a good harvest known for the 8-meter tall bamboo poles decorated with hanging lanterns (kanto means “a pole with lanterns” which are supposed to represent sacks of rice). 230 of these bamboo poles—each with 24 or 46 lanterns attached—are lifted up at the same time\, each one carried on the neck\, shoulders\, and hips of just one person!
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/akita-kanto-matsuri/
LOCATION:Akita\, 秋田駅\, 7-1-2 Nakadori\, Akita\, Akita\, 010-0001\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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GEO:39.7168842;140.1298532
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Akita 秋田駅 7-1-2 Nakadori Akita Akita 010-0001 Japan;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=秋田駅\, 7-1-2 Nakadori:geo:140.1298532,39.7168842
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260801
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260806
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170729T015420Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T052605Z
UID:10000581-1785542400-1785974399@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri 2026
DESCRIPTION:Every year at the beginning of August this shopping center in Suginami ward sees visitors come from all over for the Asagaya Tanabata Festival. The festival began in 1954 after the organisers travelled the land in search of ideas to start a festival in Asagaya. \n \nToday\, the festival is particularly well known for the giant papier-mâché figures (giant teddy bears\, Disney and Ghibli characters\, that sort of thing) that hang from the roof of the indoor Pearl Center shopping center a short walk south of the station. The festival also takes place along several shopping streets around Asagaya Station. \n 
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/asagaya-tanabata-matsuri/
LOCATION:Asagaya Station\, Asagaya Station\, 3-58 Asagayaminami\, Suginami\, Tokyo\, 166-0004\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260801
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260807
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180222T105105Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T052202Z
UID:10000677-1785542400-1786060799@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Aomori Nebuta Matsuri 2026
DESCRIPTION:A summer event that is one part of the wider Tanabata celebrations\, Nebuta festivals are held throughout Japan\, but the festivals in Aomori and Hirosaki are the two most famous. \nBamboo floats are constructed with wire frames around which Japanese paper (washi) is wrapped depicting mythical gods\, creatures\, and kabuki characters. Lanterns are placed inside the floats\, bringing out the vivid colors of the washi paper to visitors. The demonic looking gods are some of the most photographed images of any Japanese festival\, and are often used on tourist pamphlets and travel magazines. You can see images of the individual floats on the official website. \n \nThese floats are paraded through Aomori each night of the festival from 7:10pm to 9pm\, but the main days are the 4th\, 5th\, 6th\, and 7th when about 20 floats join the procession. On the 6th an award ceremony is also held for the best floats and on the 7th there is a fireworks display from 7:15pm. See here for a map of the route. \nVisitors can also join the dancing so long as they follow the general rules and wear traditional costumes (“haneto”) which can be purchased or rented from department stores and specialist shops around Aomori. See this page for a list of places (Japanese only).
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/aomori-nebuta-matsuri/
LOCATION:Aomori\, 青森駅\, 1-1 Yanakawa\, Aomori\, Aomori\, 038-0012\, Japan
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260801T183000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260801T200000
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170731T024218Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T051948Z
UID:10000582-1785609000-1785614400@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Sumidagawa Paper Lantern Floating 2026
DESCRIPTION:Sumidagawa paper lantern floating (灯篭流し\, tōrō-nagashi) festival began in 1946 to pay respects and mourn those who lost their lives in the air raids and fires during the war. Today the event attracts many people to the river banks of the Sumida River\, and is popular not just with Japanese but with foreign visitors\, too. \nMany\, of course\, come just to watch the lanterns floating in the evening on the river\, but you can also purchase and set free a lantern of your own for a fee. The area for registration is at the bottom of Sumida Garden nearest Asakusa Station between Azumabashi Bridge and Kototoi Bridge on the west side of the river (Google Maps link). Registration is open from 2pm and ends when they have run out of lanterns.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/sumidagawa-toro-nagashi-paper-lantern-floating/
LOCATION:Asakusa\, Asakusa Station\, 2-20 Kaminarimon\, Taito\, Tokyo\, 111-0034\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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GEO:35.7108653;139.7953066
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Asakusa Asakusa Station 2-20 Kaminarimon Taito Tokyo 111-0034 Japan;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Asakusa Station\, 2-20 Kaminarimon:geo:139.7953066,35.7108653
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260803
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260806
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180418T021410Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T051932Z
UID:10000708-1785715200-1785974399@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Numata Tengu Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:Held every year on 3-5 August\, The Numata Tengu Festival (沼田まつり\, Numata Matsuri) is a famous festival in Gunma Prefecture. Over three days various portable shrines and floats of all shapes and sizes are carried and pulled through the streets of Numata\, but it is the Tengu Mikoshi which make the festival special: two shrines shaped by giant goblins\, each weighing over 400 kilograms and pulled exclusively by women.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/numata-tengu-festival/
LOCATION:Numata\, Gunma\, 沼田市役所\, 780 Nishikurauchimachi\, Numata\, Gunma\, 378-0042\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260805
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260808
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180301T043037Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T040710Z
UID:10000680-1785888000-1786147199@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival was first held in 1963 and today is a major festival in Tohoku\, attracting over one million visitors during the course of the festival’s three-days. The hanagasa (花笠) is a hat embroidered with red safflowers and used by the performers in their traditional dance. The parade\, led by brightly decorated floats\, consists of 100 groups\, each about 100 strong\, moving down the main street of Yamagata City to shouts of “Yassho! Makasho!”—originally the calls of workers when pounding on the dirt during irrigation work on the outskirts of Yamagata Prefecture. \nTraditionally the dances were smooth and highly synchronized\, but over the years the performances have become increasingly daring. In the words of the organizers: “The true joy of a festival can be discovered upon actually participating. Spectators are welcome to join the “Hanagasa Circle Dance” held near the parade goal in front of City Hall\, as well as the “walk-in corner” near the tail of the parade.” \nThe parade starts from 6pm and lasts until 9:30pm each evening. It goes in a straight line down the main street of Yamagata City for about 1.5 kilometres\, starting at the intersection near Daini Koen and moving towards Bunshokan to the north.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/yamagata-hanagasa-matsuri/
LOCATION:Yamagata City\, Yamagata\, Yamgata\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260806
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260809
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180321T012053Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T040408Z
UID:10000695-1785974400-1786233599@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Sendai Tanabata Matsuri 2026
DESCRIPTION:Tanabata Festivals (sometimes known as “Star Festivals”) are held throughout Japan during July and August\, but none is more famous than the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri which attracts over two million visitors each year. The festival is also famous for its bamboo decorations which stretch from Sendai Station and Chuo-dori Avenue to Ichibancho Arcade\, as well as the “Seven Ornaments” which include a casting net to welcome in a good harvest\, cranes for longevity\, kimono for good health\, and paper strips on which people write to hang messages on the bamboo. The festival is held on 6-8th August every year. \nTraditional performances are held in Shimin Hiroba Square\, Kotodai Park\, Sendai Castle\, and Zuihōden\, and there are fireworks on the evening before the festival (5 August) along the bank of the Hirosegawa River in Nishi Park.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/sendai-tanabata-matsuri/
LOCATION:Sendai\, Sendai Station\, 1 Chome-10-10 Chūō\, Aoba-ku\, Sendai\, Miyagi\, 980-0021\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260812
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260816
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180420T074918Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T040155Z
UID:10000712-1786492800-1786838399@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Tokushima Awa Odori 2026
DESCRIPTION:There are hundreds of Awa Odori festivals that take place over the summer in Japan\, but the Tokushima Awa Odori (徳島阿波おどり) is the original and the most famous. It is held between 12 and 15 August each year. Incidentally\, awa is the former name for the region that encompasses Tokushima and odori means dance. \nThe Tokushima Awa Odori has roots dating back over 400 years and the lyrics to the dance are well known: “It’s a fool who dances and a fool who watches! If both are fools\, you might as well have fun dancing!” And dance they do. Between the 12th and 15th of August each year\, Tokushima sees its streets and shops\, normally home to a population of 260\,000\, fill with almost 1.4 million tourists. While there are performances such as the Selected Awa Dance during the day\, it is the night time for which people wait. From 6pm until late at night the district south of Tokushima Station is pedestrianized and dance groups (called “ren” 連) perform their irregular and energetic dances for the crowds to the sounds of fast-beating music.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/tokushima-awa-odori/
LOCATION:Tokushima\, 徳島駅\, Tokushima\, Tokushima\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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GEO:34.0742346;134.551158
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Tokushima 徳島駅 Tokushima Tokushima Japan;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=徳島駅:geo:134.551158,34.0742346
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260814T163000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260814T213000
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180301T053713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T040211Z
UID:10000682-1786725000-1786743000@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Chichibu Ondo Dance Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Chichibu Ondo Dance Festival (秩父音頭まつり) is held on the 14 August every year and sees approximately 70 teams and 1\,500 performers dance to music in Minano Town Hall Festival Square. Visitors are welcome to join in the dancing (there’s even a dance lesson corner if you’re afraid of getting the moves wrong). Fireworks light the sky towards the end of the evening. \nWhile the origins of the song and dance are unclear\, it is thought to be based on the traditions of kabuki and silk farming 200 years ago. \nGetting there\nMinano Station is 2 hours from Ikebukuro Station on the Tobu-Tojo Line.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/chichibu-ondo-dance-festival/
LOCATION:Minano Town Hall\, Chichibu\, 皆野町役場\, Minano\, Chichibu\, Saitama\, 369-1412\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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GEO:36.070856;139.098724
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Minano Town Hall Chichibu 皆野町役場 Minano Chichibu Saitama 369-1412 Japan;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=皆野町役場\, Minano:geo:139.098724,36.070856
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260814T170000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260814T220000
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180315T112422Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T035901Z
UID:10000684-1786726800-1786744800@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Nagasaki Spirit Boat Procession 2026
DESCRIPTION:Nagasaki’s Spirit Boat Procession\, also known as the Shoro-Nagashi (精霊流し)\, takes place on 15 August each year during the Bon Festival celebrations to welcome back ancestors from the spirit world. It is famous for the “spirit boats” (called shōrōbune\, 精霊船) which\, adorned with glowing lanterns\, move through the city to the sound of firecrackers to ward off evil spirits\, gongs\, drums\, and the clamour of the crowds. The festivities begin around 5pm and continue into the night. The main area for the procession is Kenchozaka Dori.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/nagasaki-spirit-boat-procession/
LOCATION:Kenchozaka Dori\, Nagasaki\, 県庁坂通り\, Nagasaki\, Nagasaki\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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GEO:32.7451693;129.8741118
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Kenchozaka Dori Nagasaki 県庁坂通り Nagasaki Nagasaki Japan;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=県庁坂通り:geo:129.8741118,32.7451693
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260816T200000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260816T210000
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20180730T125300Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T035550Z
UID:10000725-1786910400-1786914000@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Gozan no Okuribi 2026
DESCRIPTION:Daimonji Gozan no Okuribi (also known as the “Daimonji Festival”) is a bonfire festival held on 16 August each year which sees five fires lit on the mountains around Kyoto. The festival is a culminating event of the obon holiday in Japan\, where the spirits of ancestors are said to visit the homes of their living relatives. The fires of the Daimonji Festival are said to guide these spirit back to the heavens at the end of their short stay. \nThe “dai” bonfire during the day\nThe street lights of Kyoto are turned off at 8pm and the first fire (in the shape of the character for “big”\, 大) is lit\, following which two other characters\, a boat\, and a torii gate are set alight\, each burning for about 30 minutes. These fires can be seen throughout Kyoto City but the banks of Kamo River are the recommended spot to see the “dai” bonfire.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/daimonji-gozan-okuribi/
LOCATION:Kyoto City\, Kyoto\, Kyoto\, Kyoto\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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GEO:35.0116363;135.7680294
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Kyoto City Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Japan;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Kyoto:geo:135.7680294,35.0116363
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260822
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260824
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170102T064755Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T024429Z
UID:10000432-1787356800-1787529599@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Azabu-Juban Noryo Matsuri 2026
DESCRIPTION:Azabu-Juban’s Noryo-Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s more famous summer festivals. Held over one weekend at the end of August\, the festival has a rich 40-year history and sees local vendors  (since 2012 only those sellers with stores in the area can put out stalls) gather along Patio-dori and Zoshiki-dori. The main shopping street is closed to traffic from 2:00pm until 21:30pm.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/azabu-juban-noryo-matsuri/
LOCATION:Azabu-Juban\, Azabu-juban Station\, 1-4-6 Azabu-juban\, Minato\, Tokyo\, 106-0045\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Azabu-Juban Azabu-juban Station 1-4-6 Azabu-juban Minato Tokyo 106-0045 Japan;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Azabu-juban Station\, 1-4-6 Azabu-juban:geo:139.7368813,35.6561336
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260822
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260824
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170802T075824Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T024401Z
UID:10000585-1787356800-1787529599@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Harajuku Super Yosakoi 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Harajuku Super Yosakoi—or the “Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi Festival”\, to give it its full name—is one of the biggest festivals on the Tokyo calendar. The Yosakoi Festival originated in Kochi prefecture in 1954 as an event to reinvigorate the region because it was suffering economic hardship in the wake of the war. The dance of the festival is particularly unique—energetic and loud\, with dancers holding a bird rattle (naruko) in both hands. Over the years the festival has spread throughout the country and since 2001 Harajuku/Omotesando has been host for Tokyo’s version. \nThe event runs from 10am to 8pm on Saturday and 10pm until 5:30pm on Sunday with over 5\,000 dancers forming 100 teams to dance along Omotesando Dori (which will be blocked to traffic for the event). There will also be performances in the Yoyogi Park events area and on a special stage set up at the entrance to Meiji Jingu. All told\, close to 1 million visitors are expected to attend the festival over the course of the weekend.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/harajuku-super-yosakoi/
LOCATION:Harajuku\, Harajuku Station\, 1-18 Jingumae\, Shibuya\, Tokyo\, 150-0001\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Harajuku Harajuku Station 1-18 Jingumae Shibuya Tokyo 150-0001 Japan;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Harajuku Station\, 1-18 Jingumae:geo:139.7026976,35.6702285
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260822
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260824
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170807T013124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T023957Z
UID:10000587-1787356800-1787529599@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Koenji Awa Odori 2026
DESCRIPTION:Awa Odori in Koenji that has been held since 1957 and today attracts almost one million visitors over the course of the weekend. The parade is held from 5pm to 8pm both nights and loops in a figure of eight between JR Koenji Station and Tokyo Metro Shinkoenji Station which lies a few hundred metres to the south.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/koenji-awa-odori/
LOCATION:Koenji Station\, 高円寺駅\, 4-48 Kōenjiminami\, Suginami\, Tokyo\, 166-0003\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Japanese Festivals
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GEO:35.7052366;139.649662
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Koenji Station 高円寺駅 4-48 Kōenjiminami Suginami Tokyo 166-0003 Japan;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=高円寺駅\, 4-48 Kōenjiminami:geo:139.649662,35.7052366
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260828
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260901
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170524T225915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T023936Z
UID:10000543-1787875200-1788220799@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Tokyo International Toy Show 2026
DESCRIPTION:This event has been going since 1962 and today sees about 200 vendors (from both within Japan and abroad) gather to showcase over 35\,000 products—from board games to electronic gadgetry. The Tokyo International Toy Show starts on the Thursday\, but the first two days are for trade buyers only.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/tokyo-international-toy-show/
LOCATION:Tokyo Big Sight\, Tokyo Big Sight\, 3-11-1 Ariake\, Koto\, Tokyo\, 135 0063\, Japan
CATEGORIES:Shows & Exhibitions
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GEO:35.62982;139.7942416
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Tokyo Big Sight Tokyo Big Sight 3-11-1 Ariake Koto Tokyo 135 0063 Japan;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Tokyo Big Sight\, 3-11-1 Ariake:geo:139.7942416,35.62982
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260829T120000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260829T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T134653
CREATED:20170102T152020Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T023830Z
UID:10000457-1788004800-1788022800@www.japanistry.com
SUMMARY:Asakusa Samba Carnival 2026
DESCRIPTION:Held annually since 1981\, the Asakusa Samba Carnival is one of the biggest events on the Tokyo calendar\, attracting about half a million visitors each year. Brazil and Asakusa might not seem like an obvious match\, but with about 300\,000-strong Japanese community in Sao Paulo—the largest outside of Japan—one doesn’t have to reach too far back into history to see the ties between these two countries. \n\nThe carnival is actually a contest between about 20 competing teams. The Rainha de Bateria (Queen of the Drums)—easily identifiable by her colourful peacock-like sash—leads each team parade down Umamichi-dori and Kaminarimon-dori to the east and south of Sensoji Temple. You’re advised to arrive early if you want a spot at the front of the spectator area.
URL:https://www.japanistry.com/event/asakusa-samba-carnival/
LOCATION:Asakusa\, Asakusa Station\, 2-20 Kaminarimon\, Taito\, Tokyo\, 111-0034\, Japan
CATEGORIES:International
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X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Asakusa Asakusa Station 2-20 Kaminarimon Taito Tokyo 111-0034 Japan;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Asakusa Station\, 2-20 Kaminarimon:geo:139.7953066,35.7108653
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR