Japan's Best Summer Matsuri

The three great festivals

Japan's summer belongs to the matsuri. The headline acts are the three great festivals: Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, with its towering wooden floats parading on July 17; Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka, ending in a river boat procession and fireworks on July 25; and Tokyo's Kanda Matsuri in May. Each blends centuries of ritual with street-party energy.

Dance and fire

For sheer spectacle, Aomori Nebuta sends glowing warrior floats through the streets in early August, while Awa Odori in Tokushima turns a whole city into a dancing crowd of 100,000. Don't miss Hakata Gion Yamakasa in Fukuoka, where teams race one-ton floats at dawn.

Fireworks nights

No summer is complete without hanabi. The Sumida River Fireworks light up the sky behind Tokyo Skytree, drawing huge crowds in yukata.

How to enjoy them

• Arrive early for fixed-route processions and fireworks; prime spots vanish fast.
• Many festivals welcome visitors to join in — Awa Odori and Nebuta both have open dance groups.
• Stay hydrated; Japanese summers are hot and humid.

Pick a festival, build your trip around it, and you'll see Japan at its most joyful.