Festivals, exhibitions, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings across all nine regions.
By month: October 2026, November 2026, December 2026, January 2027
The Fukiage-hama Sand Festival turns a Kagoshima beach into a gallery of large-scale sculptures made by artists and volunteers, with cultural performances.
3–5 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetMinamisatsuma · KagoshimaBefore rice planting, children in Mamada parade huge painted serpents through town, chanting, then immerse them in a pond in a centuries-old rainmaking ritual.
5 May 2027Oyama · TochigiThis downtown festival features food and craft stalls, agricultural products, and family activities rooted in Ube City's late 18th-century market traditions.
5 May 2027Ube · YamaguchiAn annual Otaru festival of umeshu tastings, from classic to new plum wine blends, with local plum-based foods at two dedicated brewery venues.
17 Apr – 6 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetOtaru · HokkaidoAbout six million lights on the hillsides of Sagamiko MORI MORI in Sagamihara, one of the Three Major Illuminations of Kanto, with music shows and night rides.
14 Nov 2026 – 9 May 2027Sagamihara · KanagawaThe 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 2027OsakaA 40-year-old spring tradition in Jozankei: about 400 carp streamers, repurposed from donated family heirlooms, hang above the hot spring town.
10 Apr – 10 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetSapporo · HokkaidoA spring celebration in Komatsu blends Shinto ritual, elaborate festival floats, and children's kabuki performances at two historic shrines.
8–10 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKomatsu · IshikawaThe 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 2027KyotoA 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 2027Exact date not confirmed yetTokyoSanja Matsuri, one of Tokyo's largest traditional festivals, honours enshrined figures with mikoshi processions and an Intangible Folk Cultural Property dance.
15–17 May 2027TokyoA 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 2027Exact date not confirmed yetSendai · MiyagiPremier half-marathon running event through Fukushima City's scenic neighborhoods and parks, featuring aid stations every 5 kilometers and spectator support.
17 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetFukushimaAnnual spring festival featuring ornate floats with elaborate wooden tatemon decorations pulled through streets with traditional music.
17–18 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetToyamaA three-century tradition, this Hokuriku festival showcases elaborately decorated floats and honors the maritime heritage of this former port town.
19–21 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetSakai · FukuiIllumination event set in a botanical garden featuring handmade warm lights creating a tropical resort atmosphere with new light displays this year.
23 Oct 2026 – 23 May 2027OkinawaWith over 10,000 participating artists and 140,000 expected visitors, this open art event showcases original creations across diverse mediums and styles.
23–24 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetTokyoHigh-speed dirt racing event featuring various colorful vehicles navigating sharp turns on a thrilling track in Hokkaido.
23–24 May 2027Exact date not confirmed yetSunagawa · Hokkaido
