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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.

Jul · Summer festival and fireworks season. Prepare for heat and typhoons.
All of July (float processions Jul 17 & 24) · Kyoto

Gion Matsuri

Yasaka Shrine's festival, held for over a thousand years; the giant float procession is the highlight.

Jul 1–15 · Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa

A festival where teams race through the city carrying floats; the climax is the dawn 'Oiyama' race on the last day.

Jul 24–25 · Osaka

Tenjin Matsuri

A river procession of some 100 boats, plus fireworks.

Around the last Saturday of July · Tokyo

Sumida River Fireworks

Tokyo's summer fireworks, held since the Edo period.

Late July (3 days) · Otaru

Otaru Ushio Festival

The summer festival of the port city of Otaru, with thousands dancing through the streets.