Festivals, exhibitions, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings across all nine regions.
The poop-themed Unko Museum hosts Christmas festivities across three locations with seasonal exhibits, decorations, and interactive photo opportunities for families.
28 Nov – 29 Dec 2026Okinawa · OkinawaThis New Year countdown festival features millions of lights, drone shows, bubble performances, and live music creating one of Japan's largest illumination displays.
31 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027Hyogo · KansaiAn annual custom car festival features new automotive parts and technologies alongside models unveiled by domestic manufacturers.
9–11 Jan 2027Chiba · KantoThe Evangelion 30th anniversary exhibition comes to Hirakata Park in Osaka, with about 270 hand-painted cels, design material and film artwork.
18 Oct 2026 – 11 Jan 2027Osaka · KansaiMasked demons swing blazing torches through a temple hall in an ancient winter ritual performed twice daily, seeking protection from misfortune and ancestral blessings.
14 Jan 2027Nara · KansaiAn annual winter ritual in Sendai features the ceremonial burning of New Year decorations followed by a sacred pilgrimage procession in traditional attire.
14 Jan 2027Miyagi · TohokuDōsojin, a folk deity protecting travelers and villages, is honored through this traditional festival featuring ceremonial fire and ritual.
15 Jan 2027Nagano · ChubuThe Sagicho-shinji ritual burns New Year's decorations on January 15 at Tsurugaoka Hachimangū shrine in a purifying fire believed to cleanse impurities and bring a bountiful harvest.
15 Jan 2027Kanagawa · KantoA family-friendly racing event sees participants in full Tyrannosaurus costumes sprinting across park fields in various divisions, from junior to adult competitors.
17 Jan 2027Kanagawa · KantoA National Important Folk Cultural Property, this Little New Year fire ritual purifies homes and communities through burning traditional new-year decorations.
17 Jan 2027Kanagawa · KantoThis prestigious ice sculpture competition celebrates its 50th anniversary with works by professional carvers displayed at a Tokyo shrine.
17–18 Jan 2027Tokyo · KantoThe final day of this week-long Buddhist observance at a UNESCO World Heritage temple features torchlit processions and prayers for good fortune.
14–20 Jan 2027Iwate · TohokuAn exhibition celebrates the absurdist manga Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo through interactive displays showcasing its protagonist's surreal martial arts techniques.
8–24 Jan 2027Osaka · KansaiMatsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival returns with a championship ice-carving competition and illuminated sculptures against the backdrop of the National Treasure and Northern Alps.
23–25 Jan 2027Nagano · ChubuAt Cape Shionomisaki, a practical piece of land management becomes a spectacular celebration as flaming arrows set the grasslands ablaze each winter.
30 Jan 2027Wakayama · KansaiIn February, this festival features a grand procession of 200 costumed samurai in traditional armor proceeding to Bannaji Temple for a traditional purification ceremony.
31 Jan 2027Tochigi · KantoEstablished in 1952 and regarded as one of Japan's three most prestigious classic marathons, this Oita race draws dedicated runners annually.
1 Feb 2027Oita · KyushuAncient Noto folk ritual where children masquerading as demons parade through streets to symbolically drive away laziness and encourage diligent work.
3 Feb 2027Ishikawa · Chubu
