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Matsuri: Traditional Japanese Festivals

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Festival

Kanamara Matsuri "Festival of the Steel Phallus"

An annual Shinto festival at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki featuring distinctive phallic imagery in decorations and parades while raising funds for HIV research.

5 Apr 2027Kanagawa · Kanto

Festival

Sanno Festival

Seven portable shrines and demon-drum performances highlight this Sado festival, jointly conducted by six local communities as part of traditions spanning over 800 years.

12–14 Apr 2027Niigata · Chubu

Festival

The Spring Takayama Festival

A spring festival in Takayama showcases ornate floats with mechanical dolls and centuries-old craftsmanship, illuminated by lanterns during evening processions.

Festival

Kanamara Matsuri "Festival of the Steel Phallus"

An annual Shinto festival at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki featuring distinctive phallic imagery in decorations and parades while raising funds for HIV research.

5 Apr 2027Kanagawa · Kanto

Festival

Sanno Festival

Seven portable shrines and demon-drum performances highlight this Sado festival, jointly conducted by six local communities as part of traditions spanning over 800 years.

12–14 Apr 2027Niigata · Chubu

Festival

The Spring Takayama Festival

A spring festival in Takayama showcases ornate floats with mechanical dolls and centuries-old craftsmanship, illuminated by lanterns during evening processions.

14–15 Apr 2027

Gifu · Chubu

Festival

Marumage Festival

An annual festival in Himi centers on Senju-ji Temple, where unmarried women pray for happiness using a traditional married woman's hairstyle in ritual.

17 Apr 2027Toyama · Chubu

Festival

Otawara Yatai Festival

A spring festival dating to the Edo period features nine elaborately decorated floats paraded through city streets accompanied by traditional music.

18–19 Apr 2027Tochigi · Kanto

Festival

Takaoka Mikuruma-yama Festival

A traditional spring festival in Takaoka features ornate wheeled floats originating from a 16th-century court carriage.

1 May 2027Toyama · Chubu

Festival

Hakata Dontaku

Japan's largest festival, dating back 840 years, celebrates with parades of the Three Lucky Gods, children's processions, and modern Flower Cars.

2–4 May 2027Fukuoka · Kyushu

Festival

Ono Festival

A traditional spring festival held over two days features three decorated floats and karakuri puppets, with origins dating to the Edo period.

3–4 May 2027Aichi · Chubu

Festival

Yatsuo Hikiyama Festival

A traditional spring festival features six ornately decorated floats assembled without nails, pulled through streets with classical hikiyama music.

3 May 2027Toyama · Chubu

Festival

Seihakusai Festival

This over 1,000-year-old Ishikawa festival parades three enormous wheeled floats adorned with life-size Kabuki figures and is recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

3–5 May 2027Ishikawa · Chubu

Festival

Minato Festival

Annual shrine festival featuring traditional performing arts, portable shrine processions, and demonstrations of ancient Minato kiyari songs.

5 May 2027Niigata · Chubu

Festival

Shinkawa Market Festival

This downtown festival features food and craft stalls, agricultural products, and family activities rooted in Ube City's late 18th-century market traditions.

5 May 2027Yamaguchi · Chugoku

Festival

Otabi Festival

A spring celebration in Komatsu blends Shinto ritual, elaborate festival floats, and children's kabuki performances at two historic shrines.

8–10 May 2027Ishikawa · Chubu

Festival

Kanda Festival

A 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 2027Tokyo · Kanto

Festival

Sanja Matsuri

Sanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo's largest traditional festivals, honouring enshrined figures through mikoshi processions and an Intangible Folk Cultural Property ritual dance.

15–17 May 2027Tokyo · Kanto

Festival

Aoi Festival

The Aoi Festival is one of Kyoto's three major annual festivals, dedicated to the northern Kamo shrines, with roots reaching back over 1,400 years and featuring equestrian archery.

15 May 2027Kyoto · Kansai

Festival

Sendai Aoba Festival

A 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 2027Miyagi · Tohoku

Festival

Iwase Hikiyama Festival (The Fighting Floats Festival)

Annual spring festival featuring thirteen ornate floats with elaborate wooden tatemon decorations pulled through streets with traditional music.

17–18 May 2027Toyama · Chubu