Matsuri: Traditional Japanese Festivals

Festival

Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival

The 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 · Tohoku

Festival

Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

The 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 · Tohoku

Festival

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Festival

Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival

The 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 · Tohoku

Festival

Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

The 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 · Tohoku

Festival

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Held 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 2027

Miyagi · Tohoku

Festival

Kiryu Yagibushi Festival

The Kiryu Yagibushi Festival is a lively summer event held each August in Kiryu City, centred on Yagibushi folk song and dance, with street parades, live music, and cultural programmes.

7–9 Aug 2027Gunma · Kanto

Festival

Suhoteisai Festival

A rare Yamaguchi ritual festival said to date back over 1,800 years, with seven nights of dances around the Oni-ishi stone, towering banners, and lantern-topped poles.

7–13 Aug 2027Yamaguchi · Chugoku

Festival

Jantokoi Uozu Festival

Uozu's biggest summer event, the Jantokoi Uozu Festival brings UNESCO-listed Tatemon floats, folk dance, seaside fireworks, and jazz.

7–9 Aug 2027Toyama · Chubu

Festival

Ryotsu Tanabata Matsuri and Kawabiraki

A 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 · Chubu

Festival

Awa Odori Festival

Japan's most famous traditional dance festival, held annually in Tokushima City, where dancers form groups with distinctive choreography and costumes.

12–15 Aug 2027Tokushima · Shikoku

Festival

Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival

A summer festival where 4,000 decorated goldfish lanterns cast a spellbinding glow over the town, alongside a spirited Goldfish Nebuta procession.

13 Aug 2027Yamaguchi · Chugoku

Festival

Fukagawa Matsuri

One of Tokyo's three greatest Shinto festivals, this mid-August celebration centers on water-splashing processions with portable shrines through the city.

15 Aug 2027Tokyo · Kanto

Festival

Aodake Chochin Festival (Green Bamboo Lantern Festival)

A summer festival transforms a town with illuminated green bamboo lanterns, folk performances, and fireworks over Takahata.

16 Aug 2027Yamagata · Tohoku

Festival

Wajima Taisai Festivals

Ornate lacquered lanterns parade through Wajima's four districts, symbolizing the path for visiting deities, accompanied by taiko drums and portable shrine processions.

22–25 Aug 2027Ishikawa · Chubu

Festival

Okayama Momotaro Dance Festival

An Okayama City summer festival inspired by the Momotaro folk tale, featuring demon-costumed Uraja dancing, parades, and fireworks across the city in August.

22–23 Aug 2027Okayama · Chugoku

Festival

Shinjo Matsuri

A festival with over 260 years of history, where 20 ornate floats themed on historical tales, legends, and kabuki parade through the streets with traditional music.

24–26 Aug 2027Yamagata · Tohoku

Festival

Yoshida Fire Festival

The Yoshida Fire Festival marks the end of the Mount Fuji climbing season on 26–27 August, with some 80 giant torches set ablaze along the streets of Kamiyoshida.

26–27 Aug 2027Yamanashi · Chubu

Festival

Guzuyaki Matsuri

A festival centred on a giant papier-mache fish, or guzu, paraded through the streets, danced with, and finally burned at Fuhashi Shrine, rooted in local legend.

29–30 Aug 2027Ishikawa · Chubu

Festival

Ogi Minato Matsuri

A summer festival in the port town of Ogi on Sado Island, with traditional dances, portable shrines, and a fireworks display rooted in prayers for maritime safety.

29–30 Aug 2027Niigata · Chubu

Festival

Hassaku Festival

An autumn festival at Yamashiro Onsen features a parade with a large lion and traditional Urayasu Dance of gratitude performed at Hatori Shrine for the harvest.

1 Sep 2027Ishikawa · Chubu

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