Travel Basics

Local events and festivals in Japan: A calendar of must-see events

Japan is a country steeped in rich culture and history, with many local events and festivals celebrating everything from the changing of the seasons to ancient traditions and modern trends. Whether you’re interested in art, music, food, or just experiencing a unique cultural experience, there’s sure to be an event that piques your interest. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular events and festivals held throughout Japan throughout the year.

January: New Year’s Celebrations

New Year’s Day, or shogatsu, is one of the most important holidays in Japan. The celebration lasts for several days, with many businesses closing for the first three days of the year. People often visit shrines or temples for the first shrine visit of the year, known as hatsumode, and enjoy traditional foods like osechi-ryori, a special New Year’s meal.

February: Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival, held in Hokkaido, is one of the most popular winter events in Japan. The festival features enormous snow and ice sculptures, concerts, and a wide variety of local food and drink. The festival draws millions of visitors each year from all over the world, and is a must-see for anyone visiting Japan in February.

March: Hina Matsuri

Hina Matsuri, or Girls’ Day, is a festival celebrating the health and happiness of young girls. Families with daughters often display a set of ornamental dolls called hina dolls, representing the emperor, empress, and various members of the imperial court. The festival also features traditional foods like hina arare, a sweet rice cracker, and chirashi-zushi, a type of sushi.

April: Cherry Blossom Season

Cherry blossom season, or hanami, is one of the most anticipated times of the year in Japan. From late March to early April, the country is covered in a sea of pink and white blossoms, and people flock to parks and temples to enjoy hanami parties, complete with food, drink, and plenty of photo opportunities. Some of the best places to see cherry blossoms include Tokyo’s Ueno Park, Kyoto’s Maruyama Park, and Osaka Castle Park.

May: Sanja Matsuri

Sanja Matsuri, held in Tokyo’s Asakusa district, is one of the most vibrant and exciting festivals in Japan. The festival features parades, music, dancing, and plenty of local food and drink. The highlight of the festival is the mikoshi procession, in which portable shrines are carried through the streets by local residents.

June: Sanno Matsuri

Sanno Matsuri, held in Tokyo’s Hie Shrine, is one of Japan’s oldest and most important festivals. The festival is held every other year, and features parades, traditional music and dance, and a variety of other cultural events. The highlight of the festival is the yabusame, a traditional horseback archery competition.

July: Gion Matsuri

Gion Matsuri, held in Kyoto, is one of Japan’s most famous festivals. The festival dates back to the ninth century and features parades, traditional music and dance, and a variety of other cultural events. The highlight of the festival is the yamaboko-junko, a parade of elaborate floats decorated with lanterns and flowers.

August: Obon

Obon is a festival honoring the spirits of ancestors, and is celebrated throughout Japan. The festival typically involves visiting gravesites, offering food and drink to the spirits, and participating in traditional dance and music performances. Some of the most popular Obon festivals include those held in Tokyo’s Asakusa district and Kyoto’s Gozan no Okuribi.

September: Tsukimi (Moon-Viewing) Festival

The Tsukimi Festival is a traditional event that takes place across Japan during the month of September. Celebrated on the night of the full moon, the festival involves the viewing of the moon while enjoying traditional Japanese sweets and food.

October: Takayama Autumn Festival

Takayama Autumn Festival: The Takayama Autumn Festival is one of Japan’s most famous festivals and takes place in the historic city of Takayama. The festival features elaborate floats, traditional music and dance performances, and a wide range of delicious food and drink options.

November: Autumn Leaves Festival

The Autumn Leaves Festival takes place throughout Japan during November, as the autumn foliage reaches its peak. Many parks and temples hold special events during this time, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery while also enjoying traditional food and drinks.

December: Christmas Illuminations

Christmas Illuminations: While Christmas is not a traditional Japanese holiday, many cities throughout Japan put on elaborate light displays during the month of December. The displays range from simple illuminations to complex, interactive light shows that draw large crowds of locals and tourists alike. A bonus festival for December is Hatsumode, is a traditional Japanese New Year’s custom that involves visiting a shrine or temple to pray for good fortune in the coming year. Many people visit their local shrine or temple on New Year’s Day, but some choose to go on the evening of December 31st to welcome in the new year.

Japan offers a wide range of exciting and unique events and festivals throughout the year, and these are just a few of the many options available from September to December. Whether you are a fan of traditional culture, modern technology, or just want to experience something new and exciting, Japan has something for everyone.