Festivals, exhibitions, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings across all nine regions.
By month: November 2026, December 2026, January 2027, February 2027
A festival centred on a giant papier-mache fish, or guzu, paraded through the streets, danced with and burned at Fuhashi Shrine, rooted in local legend.
29–30 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKaga · IshikawaA music festival on a high mountain terrace with two stages against the Northern Japan Alps, hosting reggae, hip-hop and DJ performances.
29–30 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetHakuba · NaganoA summer festival in the port town of Ogi on Sado Island, with traditional dances, portable shrines and fireworks rooted in prayers for maritime safety.
29–30 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetSado · NiigataAn autumn festival at Yamashiro Onsen features a parade with a large lion and traditional Urayasu Dance of gratitude performed at Hatori Shrine for the harvest.
1 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKaga · IshikawaA summer classical music festival in Matsumoto founded by Seiji Ozawa, centred on the international Saito Kinen Orchestra, with a focus on music education.
15 Aug – 2 Sep 2027Matsumoto · NaganoA harvest festival in Yatsuo: lantern-lit dancers in matching happi coats move through the streets to shamisen and kokyu music over three September days.
1–3 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetToyamaThe Sado Island Endurance Challenge draws competitors from around the world for a 210-kilometre bike course circling the entire island alongside running events.
6 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetSado · NiigataThe autumn festival of Asahara Shrine at Ojiya in Niigata, where the fireworks are offerings and include the four-shaku shell, said to be the world's largest.
11–12 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetOjiya · NiigataLight-up events at the historic gassho-style settlement of Ainokura, held five times a year, each named after a natural phenomenon of the year.
12–13 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNanto · ToyamaNanao's festival honors samurai heritage with a parade of locals in full armor and helmets, accompanied by traditional music and dance performances.
20 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNanao · IshikawaThe Johana Mugiya Festival celebrates Mugiya-bushi, a historic folk song and dance rooted in rural Gokayama, with costumed dancers and traditional instruments.
20 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNanto · ToyamaNagano's largest anime song festival, with live performances by voice actors and musicians alongside regional food and cultural showcases.
19–20 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetSaku · NaganoTakaoka Craft Ichibamachi celebrates the city's copperware and lacquerware heritage in its preserved townscapes, with exhibitions, markets and craft workshops.
18–20 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetTakaoka · ToyamaOne of Japan's largest jazz events transforms Kanazawa's historic streets, shrines, and public spaces into stages for world-class musicians each September.
19–21 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKanazawa · IshikawaThe Gokayama Mugiya Festival centers on Mugiya-bushi, a folk song and dance rooted in the Heike clan and designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
23 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNanto · ToyamaFolk songs, dances and lion performances fill the streets of Gokayama, ending in a communal circle dance to the rhythm of a bamboo whisk instrument.
25–26 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNanto · ToyamaAn autumn parade brings the Warring States period to life with over 250 participants in samurai and historical costumes, honoring the Sanada clan.
10–11 Oct 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNaganoA light display each autumn at the former Sasagawa residence near Niigata, with projections on an Edo-period house, a lit garden and works by local students.
26 Sep – 18 Oct 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNiigata
