Taiko in Japan | Hey Japan!

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

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 2027

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

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 2027

Toyama · Chubu

Festival

Mikuni Festival (Mikuni Shrine Annual Festival)

A three-century tradition, this Hokuriku festival showcases elaborately decorated floats and honors the maritime heritage of this former port town.

19–21 May 2027Fukui · Chubu

Festival

Sanno Festival

Centered at Hie Shrine, this major Toyama festival originated in the Edo period and features a two-day mikoshi procession through the city's parishes.

31 May – 2 Jun 2027Toyama · Chubu

Festival

Tsuzawa Yotaka Andon Festival

Traditional lantern festival in Toyama Prefecture featuring 7-meter-high floats decorated with warrior illustrations that collide in ritualized clashes accompanied by taiko drumming.

5–6 Jun 2027Toyama · Chubu

Festival

Tonami Yotaka Festival

This traditional harvest festival features elaborate red lanterns exceeding 6 metres tall that collide in a dramatic ritual called tsukiawase, accompanied by taiko drums.

12–13 Jun 2027Toyama · Chubu

Festival

Gion Festival

A month-long Kyoto festival centered on Yasaka Jinja Shrine features sacred rituals, food stalls, illuminated floats, and culminates in a grand procession and parade.

1–31 Jul 2027Kyoto · Kansai

Festival

Ikukunitama Matsuri

One of Osaka's three great summer festivals features a grand procession from the shrine to Osaka Castle with gold and silver portable shrines.

11–12 Jul 2027Osaka · Kansai

Festival

Uwajima Ushi-Oni Festival

This summer festival in Ehime features giant ushi-oni floats depicting fearsome bull and demon faces, paraded through the streets with traditional music and chants.

22–24 Jul 2027Ehime · Shikoku

Festival

Yamaage Festival

Karasuyama's largest festival combines a nationally designated folk performance tradition with outdoor Kabuki dance, organized rotationally by six local districts.

24–26 Jul 2027Tochigi · Kanto

Festival

Otaru Ushio Festival

This coastal festival celebrates Otaru's maritime heritage with parades, fireworks, and cultural activities honoring the harbour's role in the city's growth.

24–26 Jul 2027Hokkaido · Hokkaido

Festival

Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival

A renowned summer festival features over 3,500 participants in the Daikan Bayashi-Odori dance, decorated floats, and traditional performances.

25 Jul 2027Okayama · Chugoku

Festival

Hita Gion Festival

A traditional summer festival over 400 years old features large ornate floats adorned with embroidery, dedicated to a protective deity.

25–26 Jul 2027Oita · Kyushu

Festival

Omuta Daijayama Festival

A festival featuring massive serpent-shaped wooden floats that spew fire and smoke as they parade through Ōmuta City streets in July.

25–26 Jul 2027Fukuoka · Kyushu

Festival

Furusato Miya Matsuri

This Utsunomiya summer festival brings residents together for parades, traditional performances, and displays of local culture.

1–2 Aug 2027Tochigi · Kanto

Festival

Morioka Sansa Odori Festival

Major summer dance festival originating from legend about a demon's defeat, featuring traditional Sansa Odori dance and powerful taiko performances.

1–4 Aug 2027Iwate · Tohoku

Festival

Tsuyama Gongo Festival

The Tsuyama Gongo Festival is a lively summer event in Tsuyama City featuring kappa-themed dances along Yakko-dori Street and one of Okayama's largest fireworks displays.

1–2 Aug 2027Okayama · Chugoku

Festival

Hirosaki Neputa Festival

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 · Tohoku

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