Festivals, exhibitions, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings across all nine regions.
By month: October 2026, November 2026, December 2026, January 2027
Two nights of large fireworks over the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata, held as a memorial for the dead, a symbol of recovery and a prayer for peace.
2–3 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNagaoka · NiigataMajor summer dance festival originating from legend about a demon's defeat, featuring traditional Sansa Odori dance and powerful taiko performances.
1–4 Aug 2027Morioka · IwateHachinohe Sansha Taisai combines traditional shrine processions with elaborately decorated floats and is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
31 Jul – 4 Aug 2027Hachinohe · AomoriEvery 4-5 August, ten neighbourhoods of Yokaichiba send mikoshi through the streets while crowds throw water over them. A Chiba festival nearly 500 years old.
4–5 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetSosa · ChibaThe Chikugo River Fireworks Festival in Kurume, Fukuoka, launches thousands of fireworks over Kyushu's longest river, with roots tracing back over 350 years.
5 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKurume · FukuokaA summer harvest festival in Akita where tall bamboo poles hung with paper lanterns parade to traditional music, with daytime balancing performances.
3–6 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetAkitaKansai's spectacular summer fireworks over Japan's largest lake at Otsu, with shells fired low across the water and mirrored on its surface.
6 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetOtsu · ShigaJapan's only seaside onsen fireworks display illuminates Wakura Port on the first Thursday of August during this 50-year tradition.
6 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNanao · IshikawaThe Hirosaki Neputa Festival features giant illuminated floats up to 10 meters tall, paraded nightly through the city with taiko drums and traditional chanting.
1–7 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetHirosaki · AomoriThe Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is a major August event: over 10,000 dancers parade nightly with flower-decorated hanagasa hats to taiko drums and folk song.
5–7 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetYamagataAomori's most iconic summer festival features glowing nebuta floats and energetic haneto dancers who leap through illuminated parades and water processions.
2–7 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetAomoriAn Aomori summer festival in Goshogawara known for its illuminated tachineputa floats, some up to 23 metres tall, paraded nightly to taiko drums and flutes.
4–8 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetGoshogawara · AomoriA festival celebrating the legend of star-crossed lovers transforms the city with colorful bamboo displays, streamers, and a traditional parade.
1–8 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetTakaoka · ToyamaHeld 6-8 August, the Sendai Tanabata Festival fills the city with vast colourful paper streamers and kusudama ornaments, rooted in the Tanabata legend.
6–8 Aug 2027Sendai · MiyagiA summer festival on Sado Island combining the Tanabata star festival with the ceremonial opening of Ryotsu Port: parades, folk dance and a fireworks finale.
7–8 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetSado · NiigataThe Kiryu Yagibushi Festival is a summer event held each August in Kiryu City, centred on Yagibushi folk song and dance, with street parades and live music.
7–9 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKiryu · GunmaThe Yamashiro Daidengaku Festival revives dengaku, an ancient dance form rooted in Shintoism, performed by local talent and renowned actors in period costume.
8–9 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKaga · IshikawaOne of western Tokyo's biggest summer festivals, where Japan's Tanabata star festival meets American base-town culture in a street of dazzling decorations.
7–9 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetFussa · Tokyo
