Festivals, exhibitions, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings across all nine regions.
Jozankei's 40-year-old spring tradition celebrates through approximately 400 carp streamers suspended above the hot spring town, repurposed from donated family heirlooms.
10 Apr – 10 May 2027Hokkaido · HokkaidoA spring celebration in Komatsu blends Shinto ritual, elaborate festival floats, and children's kabuki performances at two historic shrines.
8–10 May 2027Ishikawa · ChubuThe Aoi Festival is one of Kyoto's three major annual festivals, dedicated to the northern Kamo shrines, with roots reaching back over 1,400 years and featuring equestrian archery.
15 May 2027Kyoto · KansaiA festival held at Kanda Shrine in Tokyo dating back to the 17th century, featuring processions of participants in Heian-period clothing and sacred ceremonies.
13–15 May 2027Tokyo · KantoSanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo's largest traditional festivals, honouring enshrined figures through mikoshi processions and an Intangible Folk Cultural Property ritual dance.
15–17 May 2027Tokyo · KantoA spring festival in Sendai honors feudal lord Date Masamune with ornate floats decorated with scenes from classic literature and theater over two days.
16–17 May 2027Miyagi · TohokuAnnual spring festival featuring thirteen ornate floats with elaborate wooden tatemon decorations pulled through streets with traditional music.
17–18 May 2027Toyama · ChubuA three-century tradition, this Hokuriku festival showcases elaborately decorated floats and honors the maritime heritage of this former port town.
19–21 May 2027Fukui · ChubuThree-day festival featuring outdoor Noh theatre performances, classical arts, historical pageantry, and family activities across Himeji Castle grounds.
22–24 May 2027Hyogo · KansaiOn the white sands of Shirarahama Beach in Wakayama, teams compete each summer to shape elaborate sculptures using nothing but sand and seawater.
24 May 2027Wakayama · KansaiThis festival celebrates Genji fireflies raised by local residents, which can be seen flying near Hotaru Park and along a historic canal in the early summer night.
31 May 2027Tokyo · KantoThe 43nd edition of this festival showcases 10 hectares of vibrant pink moss phlox blooms and includes tour vehicles and traditional performances.
3–31 May 2027Hokkaido · HokkaidoCentered at Hie Shrine, this major Toyama festival originated in the Edo period and features a two-day mikoshi procession through the city's parishes.
31 May – 2 Jun 2027Toyama · ChubuThe Nagano Gion Festival celebrates Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the deity of storms and protection, through mikoshi processions at Yasaka Shrine near historic Zenkoji temple.
6 Jun 2027Nagano · ChubuTraditional lantern festival in Toyama Prefecture featuring 7-meter-high floats decorated with warrior illustrations that collide in ritualized clashes accompanied by taiko drumming.
5–6 Jun 2027Toyama · ChubuKanazawa's Hyakumangoku Festival honours Lord Maeda Toshiie, whose 1583 entry into the castle established the city, and has grown into a prominent regional cultural event.
5–7 Jun 2027Ishikawa · ChubuTracing its roots to an Edo-period crop dispute, this kite battle showcases traditional craftsmanship as teams compete with specially designed flying kites.
5–9 Jun 2027Niigata · ChubuThis traditional harvest festival features elaborate red lanterns exceeding 6 metres tall that collide in a dramatic ritual called tsukiawase, accompanied by taiko drums.
12–13 Jun 2027Toyama · Chubu
