JAPAN · EVENT — Chosen by our editors
Festivals, nightlife, tech meetups and international parties — hand-picked across Japan, each linking straight to where you book.
Hand-picked, don’t-miss shows — book ahead.
Upcoming© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0Ryukyu Kaiensai Fireworks Festival 2027One of Japan's earliest big fireworks of the year — around 10,000 shells choreographed to live music over the East China Sea off Ginowan.Sat, Apr 10, 2027 18:30 JSTTicketed reserved seating in tiers; a free viewing area is also available. Exact 2027 date confirmed in winter.View details →OfficialThis weekend© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0The Yaeyama Islands' biggest festival fills central Ishigaki with a citizens' parade, island music and a closing fireworks display over the harbour town.
Sat, Nov 7, 2026 OkinawaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0Osaka Marathon 2027 runs on Sunday 28 February 2027. General entry closes at 17:00 on 28 August 2026 and lottery results are emailed on 28 September. The ¥16,000 fee is not the final bill — an admin charge and a compulsory charity donation take it to about ¥18,000. Caps, eligibility and race-number collection, straight from the race guidelines.
Sun, Feb 28, 2027 09:00 JST OsakaAn individual general entry costs ¥16,000 in Japan / US$145 from overseas. On top of the entry fee you must also pay an administration charge (6.0% of the settled amount for domestic entries) and a compulsory charity donation of at least two units (¥500 each in Japan), so a domestic individual entry actually comes to roughly ¥18,000. Watching from the roadside is free. (Race guidelines, as of 16 August 2026.)
OfficialUpcoming© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0KYOTOGRAPHIE 2027 runs 17 April to 16 May 2027, its 15th edition. The dates are confirmed on the official site; the theme, artist line-up, venue list and 2027 ticket prices are not yet announced. For reference, the 2026 all-venue Passport was ¥5,500 in advance (¥3,000 for students) and single-venue tickets ran ¥800–¥1,500, with under-15s free.
Sat, Apr 17, 2027 10:00 JST Kyoto2027 prices are not yet announced (as of September 2026). For reference, the 2026 edition priced the all-venue Passport at ¥5,500 in advance and ¥5,800 online / ¥6,000 paper during the festival, with a ¥3,000 student Passport; single-venue tickets ran ¥800–¥1,500 (student ¥400–¥800), an Express Passport was ¥15,000, and children under 15 entered free. Some programmes are free.
OfficialUpcoming© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0The 2026 dates are not announced yet (checked 13 October 2026). The 2025 market ran 5–25 December at Hisaya-odori Park in Sakae, Nagoya: free entry, open 16:00–21:00 on weekdays and 11:00–21:00 at weekends.
Fri, Dec 4, 2026 16:00 JST NagoyaFree
Spring, summer, autumn, winter — a year in Japan, told through its events.
Featured Seasonal
USJ's anime-and-game mega-event marks its 10th anniversary with five blockbuster Japanese titles, including the park debut of 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' running into January 2027.
The next dates worth planning around.
FireworksFIREWORKS — 8 eventsThe sky, on fire.
Cherry blossomsCHERRY BLOSSOM — 6 eventsCatch the pink wave.Autumn leavesAUTUMN LEAVES — 6 eventsRed, gold, gone too soon.
Winter illuminationsILLUMINATIONS — 13 eventsLight up the cold.
Snow & winterWINTER SNOW — 21 eventsInto the white.
Grand SumoSUMO — 11 eventsWatch the giants clash.
OfficialUpcoming© C2revenge · CC BY-SA 4.0Every 10 November, Otonashi Shrine in Ito (Shizuoka) hosts a famously odd festival: a 'bottom sumo' contest where contestants bump hips to festival music. 2026: Tue 10 Nov, 18:30–21:00.
Tue, Nov 10, 2026 18:30 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Emran Kassim · CC BY 2.0Disney Christmas 2026 runs November 11 – December 25 at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, with the "Toys Wondrous Christmas!" parade, the "Disney Christmas Greeting" and "Starbright Christmas" fireworks. Merch from Nov 10, menus from Nov 1 (checked 2026-10-13).
Wed, Nov 11, 2026 09:00 JST TokyoA date-specific park ticket is required (no separate event ticket is listed). Adult 1-Day Passport at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea: 10,900–12,400 yen per day during the event (checked 2026-10-13). A designated parade viewing area is also available with paid Disney Premier Access.
OfficialUpcoming© Ootahara · CC0HIBIYA Magic Time Illumination 2026 runs 12 November 2026 to 28 February 2027, lit 16:00–23:00 at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, directly connected to Hibiya Station. The 8 m Avengers tree stays until 25 December; no fee is mentioned officially (checked 2026-10-14).
Thu, Nov 12, 2026 16:00 JST TokyoNo fee mentioned on the official event page or in the press release (checked 2026-10-14).
OfficialUpcoming© Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0USJ Christmas 2026 runs 13 November 2026 – 17 January 2027 at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. The night shows Light Up the Night and Joy of Lights (back after nine years) play 25 November – 11 January, with none on 31 December; the special viewing area costs from ¥1,700.
Fri, Nov 13, 2026 09:00 JST OsakaStudio Pass (park entry) required separately — check prices on the official web ticket store. Light Up the Night / Joy of Lights special viewing area: from ¥1,700 incl. tax, all ages. Holiday Kids Free Pass (Japan residents only, 1 adult + 1 child): from ¥8,400.
OfficialUpcoming© Martin Falbisoner (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0The Umeda Sky Building Christmas Market 2026 runs 13 November–25 December in Wonder Square, the building's ground-floor plaza in Osaka, with stalls open 12:00–22:00 and free entry. The 25 m tree's light show starts at 18:00 in November and 17:00 in December; the limited mug costs ¥900.
Fri, Nov 13, 2026 12:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Ruben Ortega · CC BY-SA 4.0Japan's biggest Spanish festival brings giant paella pans, flamenco, sevillanas contests and Iberian wine to Yoyogi Park for two passionate autumn days.
Sat, Nov 14, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
