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日本旅行 · Trip prep

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🏮About Japanese festivals (matsuri)
Matsuri began as rites asking local deities for good harvests and wellbeing. People parade portable shrines (mikoshi) or giant floats through the streets, and yatai food stalls line the roads. Each season has its own character, making festivals a good guide for when to travel.
Winter · SpringSnow and ice sculptures, and picnics under the cherry blossoms, are the highlights.
SummerTwo of Japan's three great festivals (Gion and Tenjin) are held in July, followed by fireworks and dance festivals.
Autumn · WinterHistorical processions, autumn leaves and illuminations fill the cities.
💡Handy tips
  1. During major festivals, lodging fills up months in advance. Book as soon as your dates are set.
  2. Many people wear yukata (light kimono) at summer festivals. It's fun to rent one and try it on.
  3. Traffic is restricted along procession routes and it gets very crowded. Use a station one or two stops away instead of the nearest one.
  4. Many yatai accept cash only, so carry coins and ¥1,000 bills.
Choose an area below to go to its Festivals info.
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Festivals · Seasonal events

Pick your travel month to see events across Japan.

Feb · The month of the Sapporo Snow Festival. Down south in Okinawa, cherry blossoms bloom first.
Early February, about 1 week · Hokkaido

Sapporo Snow Festival

A winter festival with huge snow and ice sculptures lining Odori Park.

Feb Around 3 · Tokyo

Senso-ji Setsubun

A temple event where beans are thrown to drive away evil. Sometimes celebrities do the throwing.

Early to mid-Feb about ten days · Otaru

Otaru Snow Light Path

A winter festival lighting up the canal and old railway line with candles and snow lanterns.

Early February · Asahikawa

Asahikawa Winter Festival

A winter festival with a giant snow-sculpture stage and an ice sculpture contest.

Early February – Early Mar · Dazaifu

Dazaifu Tenmangu Plum Blossoms

Thousands of plum trees bloom in the grounds of Tenmangu, shrine of the god of learning.