Festivals, exhibitions, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings across all nine regions.
By month: November 2026, December 2026, January 2027, February 2027
A winter illumination in the hills of Kobe, with a heart-shaped tunnel of light, glowing palaces, a rainbow maze, bubble shows and an area for dogs.
23 Oct 2026 – 14 Feb 2027Kobe · HyogoJapan's largest stationery fair showcasing pens, notebooks, planners, and creative stationery from established brands and innovative makers.
5–8 Mar 2027Exact date not confirmed yetOsakaJapan's largest exhibition of bonbai, plum trees artistically cultivated in pots, showing about 90 specimens rotated by blooming stage over 60 days.
10 Jan – 10 Mar 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNagahama · ShigaHirakata Park in Osaka is lit after dark from late autumn into spring, with music and light shows, rides running under the lights and a Christmas stage show.
31 Oct 2026 – 4 Apr 2027Hirakata · OsakaA cherry blossom festival in Osaka features night illuminations and LED lantern releases alongside traditional Japanese instrument performances.
3–5 Apr 2027Exact date not confirmed yetOsakaEach April, Kumano Hongu Taisha holds its Reitaisai - three days of purification rites, beautiful sacred dance performances, and a grand palanquin procession.
13–15 Apr 2027Exact date not confirmed yetTanabe · WakayamaThe Osaka run of the first exhibition devoted to UNDERTALE, held at the ATC Gallery in Nanko after the Tokyo showing closes.
22 Apr – 9 May 2027OsakaThe Aoi Festival, one of Kyoto's three major annual festivals, belongs to the northern Kamo shrines, with roots over 1,400 years old and equestrian archery.
15 May 2027KyotoThree-day festival featuring outdoor Noh theatre performances, classical arts, historical pageantry, and family activities across Himeji Castle grounds.
22–24 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetHimeji · HyogoOn the white sands of Shirarahama Beach in Wakayama, teams compete each summer to shape elaborate sculptures using nothing but sand and seawater.
24 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetShirahama · WakayamaKyoto Nippon Festival fills Kitano Tenmangu shrine with large-scale art installations and immersive dance performance, featuring artist Mika Ninagawa.
1 Feb – 24 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKyotoHirakata Park's month-long spring celebration invites visitors to experience roses through sight, scent, taste, and sound within an English-style garden.
25 Apr – 24 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetHirakata · OsakaAwajishima COSPLAY is an outdoor cosplay event at the Nijigen no Mori anime park on Awaji Island, with photo sessions and social gatherings in natural settings.
30 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetAwaji · HyogoA festival spanning over 260 years celebrates its origins in 1742 when commoners were permitted to attend a shrine ceremony in summer kimono.
20–21 Jun 2027Exact date not confirmed yetHimeji · HyogoA 1,400-year-old temple festival honors a Buddhist deity associated with love and good fortune through public celebrations and sacred displays.
30 Jun – 2 Jul 2027OsakaNighttime illumination event at a historic Kyoto temple featuring vibrant green maple leaves paired with original soundscape music designed to calm the mind.
29 May – 5 Jul 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKyotoIga Railway operates a limited-period scent-filled train with lavender-themed decorations running through the Iga countryside during the rainy season.
9 Jun – 6 Jul 2027Exact date not confirmed yetIga · MieOne of Osaka's three great summer festivals features a grand procession from the shrine to Osaka Castle with gold and silver portable shrines.
11–12 Jul 2027Exact date not confirmed yetOsaka
