When most travelers think of Japan in spring, images of delicate cherry blossoms fluttering in the breeze often come to mind. And while hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is undeniably magical, it’s just one piece of Japan’s rich seasonal mosaic. All year long, the country bursts to life with dynamic festivals—called matsuri—that showcase centuries-old traditions, spiritual rituals, mesmerizing performances, and joyous local celebrations.
From fiery summer dances and floating lanterns to intricate floats paraded through cobbled streets and snow sculptures that defy imagination, Japan’s festivals offer an authentic and immersive cultural experience no matter the season.
In this guide, we invite you to journey beyond the cherry blossoms to discover Japan’s seasonal festivals across spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these matsuri will open a window into the heart of Japanese culture and community.
Table of Contents
1. 🌸 Spring Festivals in Japan (March–May) — Beyond the Blossoms
While cherry blossoms often steal the spotlight in spring, Japan’s festival calendar bursts with vibrant celebrations far beyond sakura. Spring matsuri celebrate renewal, fertility, historical heritage, and the coming of warmer days—often with colorful processions, traditional music, and lively crowds in kimono.
Takayama Spring Festival (Gifu Prefecture)
Held every April in the picturesque mountain town of Takayama, this festival is considered one of Japan’s most beautiful. As spring awakens the Hida region, elaborately decorated yatai (festival floats) glide through the narrow Edo-period streets. Each float is a work of art, adorned with gilded carvings and intricate tapestries.
By night, lanterns are lit on the floats, creating a breathtaking parade of glowing colors. Puppet shows, performed on the floats using mechanical dolls known as karakuri, enchant both children and adults. With the backdrop of blooming cherry trees and the Japanese Alps, the Takayama Spring Festival offers a magical blend of history, artistry, and seasonal beauty.
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival (Aomori Prefecture)
Okay, we admit it—there’s still one cherry blossom festival on this list, but Hirosaki’s version is truly special. Taking place in late April to early May, this celebration unfolds in the grounds of Hirosaki Castle, one of Japan’s most scenic cherry blossom spots.
What makes it stand out? Over 2,600 cherry trees bloom in synchronization, their petals falling like pink snow over moats filled with boaters in traditional dress. Illuminations at night turn the castle park into an otherworldly dreamscape. You can even sip sake from local breweries as you stroll under tunnels of blossoms.
Kanamara Matsuri (Kawasaki)
Nicknamed “The Festival of the Steel Phallus,” Kanamara Matsuri is one of Japan’s most unique and eyebrow-raising events. Held every April at the Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki, this fertility festival blends humor with ancient Shinto beliefs.
Giant phallus statues are paraded through the streets, carried by both men and women in traditional attire. The origins of the festival lie in prayers for fertility, marital harmony, and protection from STIs. Today, it has also become a fundraiser for HIV awareness and a celebration of sexual health. Expect a mix of laughter, spiritual devotion, and candy shaped like… well, you get the idea.
Kanda Matsuri (Tokyo)
One of Tokyo’s three major festivals, Kanda Matsuri, is held in mid-May in odd-numbered years. It dates back to the Edo period and celebrates the city’s and its people’s prosperity. Over 200 portable shrines (mikoshi) are paraded through central Tokyo, accompanied by musicians, samurai in armor, and dancers.
The parade winds past landmarks like Akihabara and the Imperial Palace, offering an extraordinary blend of tradition and modernity. For a truly immersive experience, join locals dressed in happi coats and help carry the mikoshi—an unforgettable way to connect with the city’s spiritual heart.
👉 Want a detailed breakdown of how to spend a full week in the capital? Don’t miss our complete guide: 7-Day Tokyo Itinerary: The Perfect One-Week Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors.
Bonus: Local Tea Ceremonies and Mochi Events
Spring is also the season for enjoying outdoor tea ceremonies, particularly during cherry blossom season and May’s shincha (new tea) harvest. In Kyoto and Nara, traditional teahouses offer garden-view ceremonies where you can savor matcha while watching petals fall.
Don’t miss mochi-making events, either. Some community centers and temples host mochitsuki (rice pounding) events, where you can pound rice with a mallet and enjoy freshly made, chewy sweets on the spot.
2. 🎆 Summer Festivals in Japan (June–August) — Fire, Dance & Lanterns
Summer in Japan is synonymous with energy, color, and celebration. The humid months from June to August are prime time for some of the country’s most electrifying festivals. Expect massive parades, traditional dances, vibrant yukata, booming taiko drums, and dazzling fireworks.
Gion Matsuri (Kyoto)
Kyoto’s legendary Gion Matsuri takes over the entire month of July, making it one of Japan’s most iconic festivals. Originating in the 9th century as a purification ritual to appease the gods during an epidemic, today it’s a grand spectacle centered in the historic Gion district.
The highlight is the Yamaboko Junko parade, where massive wooden floats up to 25 meters tall roll through the city. These floats are architectural marvels—handcrafted and decorated with fine tapestries, gold leaf, and detailed carvings. Watching them navigate the narrow streets is a breathtaking experience, especially when paired with traditional music and chanting from locals in yukata.
👉 For a detailed plan on exploring Kyoto, check out our guide: Perfect 3-Day Kyoto Itinerary: Top Things to Do, See & Experience.
Awa Odori (Tokushima)
Held in Tokushima on Shikoku Island every August, Awa Odori is Japan’s most famous dance festival. For four nights, the streets pulse with hypnotic rhythm as thousands of dancers perform the Awa Dance, a joyful and slightly goofy movement style accompanied by shamisen, flutes, and drums.
What makes Awa Odori so special? Spectators aren’t just passive observers—you’re encouraged to join in. The mantra “Odoru ahou ni miru ahou, onaji ahou nara odoranya son son!” (“We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance!”) captures the festival’s playful and welcoming spirit.
Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka)
One of Japan’s top three festivals, Tenjin Matsuri takes place each July in Osaka and is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of scholarship. The celebration features a unique blend of land and river processions.
By day, you’ll see elaborately dressed participants parading mikoshi through Osaka’s bustling streets. Come evening, the festivities shift to the river, where illuminated boats drift along the Okawa River. The night culminates in a massive fireworks display that lights up the summer sky.
👉 For a detailed plan on exploring Osaka, check out our guide: 3 Days in Osaka Itinerary: The Perfect Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors.
Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori)
Aomori’s Nebuta Matsuri, held in early August, is famous for its glowing floats depicting mythical warriors, kabuki actors, and historical figures. These towering lantern floats are hand-painted on wire frames and illuminated from within, creating a mesmerizing nighttime spectacle.
Festival-goers known as haneto wear colorful costumes and leap alongside the floats, shouting “Rassera!” to the beat of drums and flutes. Visitors are welcome to rent a costume and join in—just be sure to follow the rhythm!
Tanabata Festivals (Various Cities)
Based on a romantic legend of star-crossed lovers, Tanabata is celebrated across Japan in July and August, with each region offering its own twist. The most famous is the Sendai Tanabata Festival, featuring massive streamers, traditional music, and food stalls galore.
Visitors write wishes on colorful paper strips and hang them from bamboo branches—a beautiful tradition that adds a touch of magic to midsummer nights.
3. 🍁 Autumn Festivals in Japan (September–November) — Colors, Harvests & Rituals
As summer gives way to crisp air and crimson maple leaves, Japan enters one of its most photogenic and spiritually rich seasons. Autumn festivals celebrate harvests, historical reenactments, and gratitude to the gods. They are a perfect blend of color, culture, and community.
Takayama Autumn Festival (Gifu Prefecture)
Like its spring counterpart, the Takayama Autumn Festival in October showcases ornate floats and traditional performances. The difference? Golden foliage paints the town in brilliant hues, creating a breathtaking setting for the parade.
Locals wear elegant kimonos, and the sound of flutes and drums echoes through the streets. The festival’s roots trace back to local Shinto beliefs, with ceremonies held at the Hachiman Shrine to give thanks for a good harvest.
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri (Osaka Prefecture)
Held each September, this festival is high-octane and not for the faint of heart. Teams of men pull large wooden floats (danjiri) through the streets at breakneck speed, often making hairpin turns around corners. Spectators line the roads to cheer as the runners dash past, with adrenaline and teamwork on full display.
The atmosphere is electric, filled with shouts, whistles, and traditional music. Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is a thrilling example of the energy and dedication behind Japan’s local matsuri.
Nagoya Festival (Aichi Prefecture)
This elegant festival in October brings feudal Japan back to life. Historical pageants reenact famous scenes from the Edo period, including samurai in armor, lords on horseback, and court ladies in elaborate dress. The event celebrates the legacy of three great unifiers of Japan—Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The city center transforms into a living history stage with floats, parades, and traditional performances.
Jidai Matsuri (Kyoto)
Held every October 22, Jidai Matsuri (“Festival of the Ages”) in Kyoto is a grand celebration of the city’s 1,200-year history. Starting at the Imperial Palace and ending at Heian Shrine, the parade features over 2,000 participants dressed in authentic costumes from every era—from ancient court nobles to Meiji-era soldiers.
This is one of the best places to witness Kyoto’s reverence for tradition and the pageantry of Japan’s imperial past.
Local Harvest Celebrations
Across rural Japan, smaller festivals celebrate the rice harvest, a sacred part of the country’s agricultural calendar. These often include Shinto rituals, taiko performances, and local food markets. If you visit the countryside in autumn, look for lantern-lit fields and community gatherings.
4. ❄️ Winter Festivals in Japan (December–February) — Snow, Light & Serenity
Winter in Japan is a season of quiet magic, where spiritual rituals, shimmering illuminations, and epic snow sculptures define the festival landscape. While the cold sets in, warm hearts gather to celebrate light, fire, and tradition.
Sapporo Snow Festival (Hokkaido)
Held each February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is Japan’s premier winter celebration. The city transforms into a white wonderland, with over 200 massive snow and ice sculptures lining Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome.
Expect everything from icy recreations of global landmarks to beloved anime characters. After marveling at the sculptures, warm up with a bowl of miso ramen—a Sapporo specialty—or take a snow slide ride with the kids at the Tsudome site.
👉 For a detailed plan on exploring Hokkaido, check out our guide: Ultimate 7-Day Hokkaido Itinerary: Best Places to Visit & Things to Do.
Oniyo Fire Festival (Fukuoka Prefecture)
This fiery festival held in Kurume each January is over 1,600 years old and one of Japan’s three great fire festivals. At Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine, huge torches—some as long as 13 meters—are paraded through the grounds to purify evil spirits and pray for health in the new year.
The dramatic combination of fire, chanting monks, and nighttime rituals makes for an intense and unforgettable experience.
Yokote Kamakura Festival (Akita Prefecture)
Every February, the snowy town of Yokote becomes dotted with Kamakura — traditional snow huts lit from within. Inside each igloo, children offer visitors warm amazake (sweet sake) and rice cakes while praying for a good harvest.
The soft glow of the candlelit kamakura under the night sky creates a peaceful, fairy-tale atmosphere unique to northern Japan.
Nagasaki Lantern Festival (Nagasaki)
Coinciding with Chinese New Year, the Nagasaki Lantern Festival features over 15,000 glowing lanterns, elaborate dragon dances, and traditional Chinese performances. The event reflects Nagasaki’s multicultural history and brings the city alive with light and color.
Wander through lantern-lit alleys and enjoy seasonal street foods like nikuman (steamed buns) and tang yuan (sweet rice dumplings).
Tōshōgū Shrine Grand Festival (Nikko)
Though smaller in winter, the Tōshōgū Shrine in Nikko hosts tranquil ceremonies in December and January that honor Tokugawa Ieyasu, the powerful shogun enshrined there. Snow-covered temple roofs and solemn processions offer a serene counterpoint to summer’s lively matsuri.
For those seeking reflection and cultural depth, a winter visit to Nikko is pure magic.
5. 🛍️ When to Visit Japan for Festivals: Seasonal Travel Tips
No matter when you visit Japan, there’s always a festival to experience. However, planning your trip around your interests can make the experience even more memorable.
🌸 Spring (March–May): Ideal for traditional festivals, cultural parades, and floral beauty. Book early for popular events like the cherry blossom season.
☀️ Summer (June–August): The peak of festival energy! If you love fireworks, dancing, and street food, this is your season.
🍂 Autumn (September–November): Great for history buffs and photography lovers. The weather is pleasant, and the fall foliage is spectacular.
❄️ Winter (December–February): Best for travelers seeking serene beauty, snow-covered shrines, and magical illuminations. Hokkaido and northern Japan shine during this season.
Tips:
• Book accommodations in advance for major festivals like Gion Matsuri or the Sapporo Snow Festival.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring cash for food and souvenirs.
• Always check the exact dates, as many matsuri change slightly each year.
• Respect local customs and dress codes when entering temples or participating in rituals.
👉 For more detailed information on the best time to visit Japan, check out our guide: Best Time to Visit Japan: Month-by-Month Weather & Travel Guide.
6. 🍟 Local Foods to Try at Japanese Festivals
Japanese festivals are a feast for the senses—and that includes your taste buds. Almost every matsuri features rows of yatai (food stalls) serving seasonal and regional specialties.
Here are must-try festival foods:
• Takoyaki: Crispy octopus balls topped with mayo, bonito flakes, and tangy sauce.
• Okonomiyaki: A savory pancake with cabbage, meat or seafood, and a drizzle of sweet-savory sauce.
• Yakisoba: Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and meat, served steaming hot in a paper tray.
• Taiyaki: Fish-shaped pastries filled with red bean paste, custard, or chocolate.
• Kakigori: Shaved ice with flavored syrups, perfect for summer festivals.
• Amazake: A warm, sweet fermented rice drink, often served in winter.
Regional treats abound too—from Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki to Hokkaido grilled corn. Bring your appetite and try as many as you can!
🌾 Conclusion: Embrace Japan’s Cultural Rhythm Year-Round
Japan’s seasonal festivals offer more than just entertainment—they’re a gateway into the soul of the country. These events bring together ancient traditions, local pride, and the universal joy of community celebration.
Whether you find yourself dancing in the streets of Tokushima, marveling at snow sculptures in Sapporo, or sipping tea beneath lanterns in Kyoto, each matsuri reveals a unique side of Japan. And the best part? There’s always another one around the corner.
So next time you plan a trip to Japan, don’t stop at cherry blossoms. Time your visit with a festival, and experience Japan’s magic, spirit, and flavor like never before.
Ready to plan your festival-filled adventure? Let us know in the comments which matsuri you’re most excited to experience, or check out our regional guides to help you dive deeper into Japan’s unforgettable seasons!
Be sure to share this guide with fellow travelers eager to experience the very best of Japan’s vibrant festival culture. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more travel tips and inspiration.
If this post was helpful, check out our blog for more travel guides and tips!
Happy travels and safe adventures—or as they say in Japan, よい旅を (Yoi tabi o)! 🇯🇵✨
