Dontosai Festival
An annual winter ritual in Sendai features the ceremonial burning of New Year decorations followed by a sacred pilgrimage procession in traditional attire.
14 Jan 2027Exact date not confirmed yetSendai · MiyagiAn annual winter ritual in Sendai features the ceremonial burning of New Year decorations followed by a sacred pilgrimage procession in traditional attire.
14 Jan 2027Exact date not confirmed yetSendai · MiyagiA two-day winter festival in snowy Yonezawa transforming Matsugasaki Park into a landscape of 300 snow lanterns and 3,000 snow lamps lit by candlelight.
14–15 Feb 2027Exact date not confirmed yetYonezawa · YamagataEach spring at Aso Shrine, priests perform the Hifuri Shinji fire-swinging ritual, a mesmerizing ceremony rooted in ancient agricultural tradition.
23 Mar 2027Exact date not confirmed yetAso · KumamotoAn annual Shinto festival at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki featuring distinctive phallic imagery in decorations and parades while raising funds for HIV research.
5 Apr 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKawasaki · KanagawaThe Nagano Gion Festival celebrates Susanoo-no-Mikoto, deity of storms and protection, with mikoshi processions at Yasaka Shrine near historic Zenkoji temple.
6 Jun 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNaganoIlluminated lanterns parade through coastal Ushitsu in a celebration rooted in legend, featuring frenzied rituals to honor spiritual protection from epidemics.
3–4 Jul 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNoto · IshikawaA coastal festival where young men carry ornate floats representing lovers into the sea before Benten Island, under fireworks and ceremonial fires.
19 Jul 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNoto · IshikawaMoka Summer Festival honors Kojin, god of fire and hearth, with over 20 mikoshi and festival floats paraded through the city over three days in summer.
24–26 Jul 2027Exact date not confirmed yetMoka · TochigiThis centuries-old festival features over 100 mikoshi shrines and floats, with the Shishi-Odori deer dance and sacred Kagura-Gongenmai performance.
11–13 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetHanamaki · IwateOne of Iwate's most enduring celebrations, this autumn festival originated as prayers for harvest, now featuring ornate floats and traditional parades.
14–16 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetMorioka · IwateThis festival in Kuji, a coastal city in northern Iwate, over 650 years old, gives thanks for the harvest and prays for protection and good fortune.
17–20 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKuji · IwateNanao's festival honors samurai heritage with a parade of locals in full armor and helmets, accompanied by traditional music and dance performances.
20 Sep 2027Exact date not confirmed yetNanao · Ishikawa