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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.

May · The season of fresh greenery and festivals. After the holidays it's relatively quiet.
May 3–4 · Fukuoka

Hakata Dontaku

A Golden Week festival with parades and stage shows all over the city.

May 15 · Kyoto

Aoi Matsuri

A procession in Heian-period costume walks from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to the Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines.

Around the third weekend of May · Tokyo

Sanja Matsuri

One of Tokyo's biggest festivals, with dozens of portable shrines (mikoshi) parading around Asakusa.

May 3–5 · Okinawa

Naha Harii (Dragon Boat Race)

An Okinawan dragon-boat race to pray for safety at sea and a good catch.

Mid-May (main festival in odd years) · Tokyo

Kanda Matsuri

Kanda Myojin's mikoshi processions; the grand festival is held every two years.

Late May · Hokkaido

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Enjoy Hokkaido wine and food under the lilacs.

May 3–5 · Hiroshima

Hiroshima Flower Festival

A Golden Week festival that fills Peace Boulevard with flowers, parades and stage shows.