Festivals, exhibitions, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings across all nine regions.
Tanabe in Wakayama holds a two-day festival for Benkei, the warrior monk it claims as its own, with a play at the shrine and 600 dancers in wooden clogs.
2–3 Oct 2026Wakayama · KansaiEach October in Gobo, Wakayama, the region's largest autumn festival fills the streets with rival parish groups, dance, and towering, massive drum floats.
4–5 Oct 2026Wakayama · KansaiEach October, Kumano Hayatama Taisha holds the Mifune Matsuri, two days of sacred processions culminating in a thrilling fast-boat race on the Kumano River.
15–16 Oct 2026Wakayama · KansaiAt Cape Shionomisaki, a practical piece of land management becomes a spectacular celebration as flaming arrows set the grasslands ablaze each winter.
30 Jan 2027Wakayama · KansaiEach April, Kumano Hongu Taisha holds its Reitaisai – three days of purification rites, beautiful sacred dance performances, and a grand palanquin procession.
13–15 Apr 2027Wakayama · 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 · KansaiOne of Japan's three great fire festivals, where giant torches purify the path to Nachi Waterfall at a sacred Kumano shrine each 14 July.
14 Jul 2027Wakayama · KansaiKishu Odori Bundara-bushi, one of Wakayama's largest summer events, returns on 1 August, with thousands of dancers around Wakayama Castle.
31 Jul – 1 Aug 2027Wakayama · Kansai
