Hotels fill up fast and prices rise during festivals. Dates can shift slightly from year to year, so check this year's schedule on the official websites.
Early February every yearOdori Park & Susukino, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Japan's biggest winter festival, with giant snow sculptures lining Odori Park and ice sculptures in Susukino. At night, lights and projection mapping add to the show.
Tip Hotels book up months in advance. Non-slip shoes for the snowy streets are a must.
Photo: 禁樹なずな / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Late March to early AprilNationwide, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka
Parks and riversides are covered in cherry blossoms, and people enjoy hanami picnics under the trees. Blooming times vary slightly by region.
Tip Check the Philosopher's Path and Tokyo live cams to see how far the blossoms have opened.
Photo: josef knecht / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
July 1-15Hakata, Fukuoka
A festival over 700 years old in which teams carry decorated floats weighing more than a ton through the streets. The climax is the "Oiyama" race at dawn on the 15th.
Tip The final day starts around 4 a.m., so stay nearby the night before.
Photo: ちょちょじ / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
All of July (processions on the 17th and 24th)Kyoto
Kyoto's summer festival, held for over a thousand years, is famous for its procession of yamaboko floats more than 20 meters tall. For several nights before the procession, the streets fill with food stalls.
Tip Kyoto in July is very hot and humid. Bring water and a parasol.
Photo: 江戸村のとくぞう / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
July 24-25Osaka
Osaka's signature summer festival: on the night of the 25th, nearly 100 boats sail the river while fireworks light up the sky.
Tip The best riverside spots fill up from the afternoon.
Photo: Mr.ちゅらさん / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Last Saturday of JulyAround Asakusa, Tokyo
Tokyo's oldest and most famous fireworks show, with tens of thousands of fireworks rising against the backdrop of Tokyo Skytree.
Tip Stations get extremely crowded, so wait a while after the show instead of leaving right away.
Photo: Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
August 2-7Aomori
Giant lantern floats of warriors and mythical figures, made of paper and light, parade through the streets at night. Visitors can rent costumes and join the dance procession.
Tip Book paid seating in advance for a comfortable view.
Photo: Marie-Sophie Mejan / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
August 12-15Tokushima
Japan's best-known dance festival, with 400 years of history. Countless dance groups parade through the streets to the sound of drums and flutes.
Tip At the Awa Odori Kaikan, you can see performances even outside the festival.
Photo: Rosino / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
April 14-15, October 9-10Takayama, Gifu
Festival floats (yatai) decorated with intricate carvings and ornaments parade through the old town. It's considered one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan.
Tip The evening procession of lantern-lit floats is especially beautiful.
Photo: z tanuki / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
October 22Kyoto
A procession of nearly 2,000 people dressed in costumes from each era, from the Heian period to the Meiji period, walks through central Kyoto.
Tip The procession ends near Heian Shrine.
Photo: Corpse Reviver / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Mid-November to early DecemberKyoto, Tokyo, Nikko, and more
Temples and gardens turn red and yellow, and in Kyoto there are special evening viewings with the leaves lit up.
Tip Popular temples are quietest early in the morning.
Photo: Martin Falbisoner / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Booking buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, Japan Now LIVE may earn a commission, and the price stays the same.
| When | Festival | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early February | Sapporo Snow Festival | Sapporo, Hokkaido | Giant snow sculptures in Odori Park, ice sculptures in Susukino |
| Late March to early April | Cherry blossom season | Nationwide | Cherry blossom spots in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka (check the bloom on live cams) |
| April 14-15 | Takayama Festival (spring) | Takayama, Gifu | Ornate festival floats (yatai) |
| May 15 | Aoi Matsuri | Kyoto | Procession in Heian-period costume |
| Third weekend of May | Sanja Matsuri | Asakusa, Tokyo | Portable shrine (mikoshi) processions |
| July 1-15 | Hakata Gion Yamakasa | Fukuoka | Float race at dawn on the 15th |
| All of July | Gion Matsuri | Kyoto | Yamaboko float processions on the 17th and 24th |
| July 24-25 | Tenjin Matsuri | Osaka | Boat procession and fireworks on the night of the 25th |
| Last Saturday of July | Sumida River Fireworks | Tokyo | Around Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree |
| August 2-7 | Aomori Nebuta Matsuri | Aomori | Giant illuminated lantern floats |
| August 12-15 | Awa Odori | Tokushima | Traditional dance parades |
| October 9-10 | Takayama Festival (autumn) | Takayama, Gifu | Together with the spring festival, one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals |
| October 22 | Jidai Matsuri | Kyoto | Procession in costumes from different eras |
| Mid-November to early December | Autumn leaf season | Kyoto, Tokyo, and more | Check the fall colors on live cams |
Last updated: 2026-10-30