Festivals, exhibitions, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings across all nine regions.
The Chikugo River Fireworks Festival in Kurume, Fukuoka, launches around 18,000 fireworks over Kyushu's longest river, with roots tracing back over 350 years.
5 Aug 2027Fukuoka · KyushuA summer harvest festival features towering bamboo poles adorned with paper lanterns, paraded through streets with traditional music and daytime balancing performances.
3–6 Aug 2027Akita · TohokuKansai's spectacular summer fireworks over Japan's largest lake at Otsu, with shells fired low across the water and mirrored on its surface.
The 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 2027Aomori · TohokuThe Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is a major August event where over 10,000 dancers parade nightly with flower-decorated hanagasa hats to taiko drums and folk song.
5–7 Aug 2027Yamagata · TohokuAomori's most iconic summer festival features glowing nebuta floats and energetic haneto dancers who leap through illuminated parades and water processions.
2–7 Aug 2027Aomori · TohokuThe Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival is an Aomori summer festival famous for its illuminated floats, some up to 23 metres tall, paraded nightly to taiko drums and flutes.
4–8 Aug 2027Aomori · TohokuA festival celebrating the legend of star-crossed lovers transforms the city with colorful bamboo displays, streamers, and a traditional parade.
1–8 Aug 2027Toyama · ChubuHeld 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 2027Miyagi · TohokuA summer festival on Sado Island blending the Tanabata star festival with the ceremonial opening of Ryotsu Port, featuring parades, folk dance, and a fireworks finale.
7–8 Aug 2027Niigata · ChubuSince 2003, teams from around forty countries have gathered in Nagoya each year to compete in handmade costumes and stage performance for the title of Grand Champion.
12–14 Nov 2027Aichi · Chubu
