ALL EVENTS
Festivals, nightlife, tech meetups and international parties — hand-picked across Japan, each linking straight to where you book.
OfficialOn now© Momopy~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 3.0USJ'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.
Until Mon, Jan 11, 2027 21:00 JST OsakaRequires a Studio Pass (1-day from around 8,600 yen); some Cool Japan attractions need a separate Express Pass.
OfficialOn now© Mr.henry yanayah · CC BY-SA 4.0USJ celebrates 25 years with a year-long 'Discover U!!!' festival — a new anniversary parade, classic film cars on display and special entertainment running from spring 2026 into March 2027.
Until Tue, Mar 30, 2027 21:00 JST OsakaIncluded with a Studio Pass (1-day from around 8,600 yen); no separate ticket for the anniversary entertainment.
OfficialOn now© Matryokeshi · CC BY-SA 3.0Hello Kitty's indoor theme park celebrates 35 years with ribbon-themed decor and 'The Quest of Wonders' — its first all-new main parade in a decade — running all the way through the end of 2026.
Until Thu, Dec 31, 2026 20:00 JST TokyoDay Passport at the gate: adults ¥3,900–6,900; children (3–17, incl. high-school students) and seniors (65+) ¥2,800–5,800 — the price depends on the date. The official e-Passport is ¥100 cheaper (official site, checked 25 Sep 2026).
OfficialOn now© Cabeza2000 · CC BY-SA 4.0The world's only ocean-themed Disney park turns 25 with a year-long 'Sparkling Jubilee' — a new harbor show, the 'Dance the Globe!' production and 'Jubilee Blue' decor across all eight ports.
Until Wed, Mar 31, 2027 21:00 JST TokyoRequires a Tokyo DisneySea park ticket (1-day from around 7,900 yen, price varies by date).
OfficialOn now© Choi2451 · CC BY-SA 3.0Known as 'Osaka's Kitchen,' this 580-metre covered arcade packs around 150 stalls of fresh seafood, grilled crab, sea urchin, wagyu skewers and street snacks.
Until Thu, Dec 31, 2026 18:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialOn now© Momopy~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 3.0USJ's 25th-anniversary ONE PIECE event runs July 30–Nov 19, 2026. Premier Show ¥3,000–6,000, Sanji's Pirate Restaurant ¥7,000 (lottery) — full ticket guide.
Until Thu, Nov 19, 2026 21:00 JST OsakaStudio Pass required; the Premier Show and Sanji's Pirate Restaurant need separate paid/lottery tickets.
OfficialOn now© おにく · CC BY-SA 3.0The 2026–27 season runs 17 October 2026 – 31 May 2027 (closed 6–7 Jan). Advance tickets cost ¥2,500–3,000 with a ¥1,000 voucher; 23–25 December needs a date-specific ticket (checked 2026-10-14).
Until Mon, May 31, 2027 23:59 JST Across JapanConvenience-store advance ¥2,500 (17 Oct–20 Nov, 1 Mar–31 May) / ¥3,000 (21 Nov–22 Dec, 26 Dec–28 Feb); at the gate ¥2,700 / ¥3,200 (¥2,500 from 1 Mar). Includes a ¥1,000 voucher and Begonia Garden entry. Free under elementary-school age. 23–25 Dec: date-specific ticket (same-day ¥5,500 if any remain) (checked 2026-10-14)
OfficialOn now© Miyuki Meinaka · CC BY-SA 4.0Oct 17, 2026 – Feb 14, 2027 at Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi. Lights on around 17:00 (around 16:30 from early Nov to early Jan); evening entry ¥1,500 adults, ¥800 children. 25th edition, 5 million+ lights (checked 2026-10-14).
Until Sun, Feb 14, 2027 21:00 JST TokyoEvening admission: adults ¥1,500 / children (age 4 to elementary school) ¥800 (2026-2027 season; may change with the state of the flowers) (checked 2026-10-14).
OfficialOn now© Roman SUZUKI (via Panoramio) · CC BY 3.0The 78th Shosoin Exhibition runs 24 October – 9 November 2026 at the Nara National Museum, open daily. Timed-entry tickets cost ¥2,000 for adults (¥1,500 late entry). Hours 8 am–6 pm, until 8 pm Fri–Sun and holidays (checked 2026-10-14).
Until Mon, Nov 9, 2026 18:00 JST NaraTimed-entry tickets: adult ¥2,000 / university and high-school students ¥1,500 / elementary and junior-high students ¥500 / Campus Members students ¥400. Late entry (from 4 pm Mon–Thu, 5 pm Fri–Sun and holidays): adult ¥1,500 / students ¥1,000 / elementary and junior-high free. Free for disability-certificate holders plus one caretaker and preschool children (checked 2026-10-14).
OfficialOn now© Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY 2.0Asia's premier competitive film festival returns for its 39th edition, taking over the Hibiya–Yurakucho–Ginza district with world premieres, red carpets and onstage Q&As with directors and stars.
Until Wed, Nov 4, 2026 22:00 JST TokyoIndividual screening tickets typically around 1,500-2,000 yen; some open-air and free programs.
OfficialOn now© Zengame (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.0Yomiuriland Jewellumination 2026 runs 29 October 2026 to 4 April 2027 at the Yomiuriland amusement park in Inagi, Tokyo, with lights on 16:00–20:30. Admission only is ¥1,800 for adults; the After Pass from 15:00 with unlimited rides is ¥3,100. This season's theme is "Growing Light".
Until Sun, Apr 4, 2027 09:00 JST TokyoStandard prices (tax incl.): admission only adult ¥1,800 / junior-senior high ¥1,500 / elementary & 65+ ¥1,000 / pre-school ¥1,000; After Pass (from 15:00, unlimited rides) ¥3,100 / ¥2,500 / ¥2,200 / ¥1,500; One-Day Pass ¥5,900 / ¥4,700 / ¥4,100 / ¥2,500 (checked 2026-10-13).
OfficialOn now© Pekachu · CC BY-SA 4.0The Saga International Balloon Fiesta 2026 runs Friday, October 30 to Tuesday, November 3, 2026 on the Kase River banks in Saga City, and entry is free. Competition flights go up daily 7:00–9:00 a.m. and 3:00–5:00 p.m. (final day mornings only), and the La Montgolfier Nocturne night glow is on November 2 and 3 from 6:30 p.m. A temporary JR station, Balloon Saga Station, opens at the venue during the fiesta (official info checked 2026-10-13).
Until Tue, Nov 3, 2026 19:00 JST FukuokaFree
OfficialOn now© Shisma · CC BY 4.0Tokyo Ramen Festa 2026 runs for five days, October 30 (Fri) to November 3 (Tue, holiday), at Komazawa Olympic Park's Central Plaza in Tokyo. Entry is free; ramen costs ¥1,100 (tax incl.) per bowl, paid by ticket.
Until Tue, Nov 3, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialOn now© Cobalt Fox · Public DomainTokyo German Village Winter Illumination 2026–2027 runs 31 Oct 2026 – 4 Apr 2027, from sunset to 8 pm. Admission is ¥1,500 for adults and ¥800 for children; this year's theme is "Why USA!?".
Until Sun, Apr 4, 2027 20:00 JST Across JapanPaid. Illumination period (31 Oct 2026 – 4 Apr 2027): adults ¥1,500, children (age 4–elementary) ¥800; visitors with a disability ¥1,000 adult / ¥600 child. Parking ¥1,500 per car until 31 Dec 2026, ¥1,000 from 1 Jan 2027. Official fee table, checked 2026-10-13.
OfficialOn now© Shubert Ciencia · CC BY 2.0The 71st Korankei Momiji Festival runs November 1–30, 2026 in Asuke, Toyota City. The maples are lit up nightly from sunset to 9 p.m.; walking is free, parking is paid. Checked 2026-10-13.
Until Mon, Nov 30, 2026 21:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialOn now© Joi (Joi Ito) · CC BY 2.0Kyoto's only autumn geisha dance, staged by the geiko and maiko of the Gion Higashi district. Ten days of elegant kyomai dance under lanterns, accompanied by live shamisen and song — a refined seasonal highlight of Kyoto.
Until Tue, Nov 10, 2026 17:00 JST Kyoto¥6,000 (viewing only); ¥7,000 with a tea ceremony. Two shows daily at 13:30 and 16:00.
OfficialOn now© Sanjo · CC BY-SA 4.0Kagoshima's 75th Ohara Matsuri runs Nov 2, 2026 (Mon) from 18:50 (night festival) and Nov 3 (Tue, national holiday) 10:20–15:25 (main festival) on a 1,480 m stretch of the Tenmonkan tram street. It is the original festival — not the May event in Tokyo's Shibuya.
Until Tue, Nov 3, 2026 15:25 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialOn now© Pekachu · CC BY-SA 4.0Karatsu Kunchi 2026 runs Mon 2 – Wed 4 November. The highlight is the Nov 3 Otabisho Shinko, when 14 floats are hauled onto the sand at Nishinohama. Free to watch; two floats turn 180 this year.
Until Wed, Nov 4, 2026 17:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialOn now© 武田信徳 · CC BY 4.0The Iruma Air Show 2026 is on Tuesday, November 3, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. (gates 8 a.m.) at JASDF Iruma Air Base in Sayama, Saitama, and entry is free. The Blue Impulse time is not announced yet (about 11 a.m. in 2025). Last year there was no visitor parking. Checked 2026-10-14.
Until Tue, Nov 3, 2026 15:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialThis weekend© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0Midosuji Illumination 2026 runs Tuesday 3 November to Thursday 31 December, lit every night from about 17:00 to 25:00 (1am) along 4 km of Midosuji from Umeda to Namba. No ticket needed; the lighting ceremony is on 23 November.
Tue, Nov 3, 2026 17:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialThis weekend© Dick Thomas Johnson · CC BY 2.0In 2026, Roppongi Keyakizaka is lit 5 Nov–25 Dec, 17:00–22:00, and Marunouchi Naka-dori 12 Nov 2026–14 Feb 2027. Both are lit 12 Nov–25 Dec.
Thu, Nov 5, 2026 17:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialThis weekend© Jorge Láscar from Australia · CC BY 2.0Huis Ten Bosch's 2026 winter illumination, The Starlight Million, runs 6 Nov 2026 – 25 Feb 2027 — renewed for the first time in 16 years. A park ticket is required (checked 2026-10-13).
Fri, Nov 6, 2026 09:00 JST Across JapanPark ticket required (1 DAY Passport, After 3 Passport, etc.). Price varies by date — see the official ticket page
OfficialThis weekend© Mozzucu · CC0 1.0Hanazono Shrine's Tori-no-Ichi 2026 in Shinjuku is on Sat, Nov 7 and Thu, Nov 19, with eve stalls on Nov 6 and 18. Main days run about noon to midnight, eves from about 15:00, next to Shinjuku-sanchome Station (official notice, checked 2026-10-14).
Fri, Nov 6, 2026 15:00 JST Tokyo
OfficialThis weekend© Yoshiyuki Ito · CC BY-SA 3.0At Tokyo's National Noh Theatre, watch the 650-year-old art of noh and its comic counterpart kyogen, including a piece performed by celebrated kyogen master Nomura Mansai. English subtitles appear on screens built into the seatbacks.
Fri, Nov 6, 2026 18:30 JST TokyoFront-stage ¥5,800 / Side-stage ¥4,000 (students ¥2,800) / Middle-stage ¥3,500 (students ¥2,500).
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
OfficialThis weekend© Fuchu · CC BY-SA 4.0Asakusa's Tori-no-Ichi 2026 is on Saturday, November 7 and Thursday, November 19 — no third rooster day. Otori Shrine and Chokokuji in Senzoku, 0:00–24:00 each day, 7 minutes from Iriya Station (official sites, checked 2026-10-13).
Sat, Nov 7, 2026 TokyoFree
OfficialThis weekend© TR15336300101 · CC BY-SA 4.0Nara's 2026 deer antler-cutting ceremony is held on November 7 (Sat) and 8 (Sun) at the Roen arena within Kasuga Taisha, 11:45-15:00 (doors 11:15, last entry 14:30). Same-day tickets only: adults ¥1,000, children ¥500.
Sat, Nov 7, 2026 11:45 JST NaraSame-day tickets only: adults (junior high and up) ¥1,000, children (elementary) ¥500
OfficialThis weekend© PIRELLI from Tokyo, Japan (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.1 JPThe 95th Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition is on Saturday 7 November 2026, 17:30–20:00 (scheduled), on the Sakuragawa riverbank near Gakuen Bridge, with about 20,000 shells. Bad-weather date: 14 November. All organiser seating is paid; there are no free seats.
Sat, Nov 7, 2026 17:30 JST Across JapanAll organiser seating is paid (no free seats). Sajiki box full ¥26,000 (5 people), half ¥13,000 (2), sajiki chair seat ¥12,000, sajiki table seat ¥80,000 (4); chair seats A ¥6,000 / B ¥5,000 / C ¥4,000 (tax incl., plus a ¥990 delivery charge). The lottery and the resale lottery have both closed (checked 2026-10-13).
OfficialThis weekend© そらみみ (Soramimi) · CC BY-SA 4.0Fukuoka Marathon 2026 is on Sunday 8 November: the marathon starts at 8:20 in Tenjin and finishes in Itoshima, closing at 15:20. Roads close 6:00–16:35 (planned) and bib pickup is 6–7 November only. Entry has closed.
Sun, Nov 8, 2026 08:20 JST FukuokaEntry fees (entry closed): marathon ¥16,000 (Japan entry) / ¥30,000 (overseas entry); fun run ¥4,100 (high school and older) / ¥2,200 (junior high); wheelchair race ¥3,300 / ¥2,200. Watching from the roadside is free. Paid shuttle to Tenjin/Hakata: ¥1,900 until 31 Oct, ¥2,000 from 2 to 7 Nov.
OfficialThis weekend© davidgsteadman · Public domainThe year's final grand sumo tournament fills Fukuoka Kokusai Center for 15 days of ring-entering ceremonies, salt-throwing and thunderous bouts of giants.
Sun, Nov 8, 2026 08:30 JST FukuokaFrom ~¥3,800 (arena seats) to box seats
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
OfficialUpcoming© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 November 2026, 10:00–18:00 both days, at Tokyo Big Sight West & South Halls (about 6,500 booths a day). One-day pass ¥800 advance / ¥1,000 on the day, two-day pass ¥1,500 advance, elementary-school age and under free (official, checked 2026-10-13).
Sat, Nov 14, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoPaid. One-day pass ¥800 advance / ¥1,000 on the day; two-day pass ¥1,500 advance (not sold on the day); elementary-school age and under free.
OfficialUpcoming© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Nov 14, 2026 – May 9, 2027 at Sagamiko MORI MORI in Sagamihara, Kanagawa. Lights come on from 16:00; adult admission is ¥2,000–2,400 depending on the day. This season adds a first collab with Kawaisouni! (Opanchu Usagi).
Sat, Nov 14, 2026 16:00 JST TokyoAdults ¥2,000–2,400 / children & seniors ¥1,300–1,700 / dogs ¥1,000. Night Free Pass adults ¥3,000–3,400; Free Pass adults ¥4,700 (2026-2027 season; varies by day).
OfficialUpcoming© Takeshi Kuboki · CC BY 2.0Kyoto's Arashiyama bursts into crimson and gold each November, with mountain temples, a scenic train and bamboo groves.
Sun, Nov 15, 2026 08:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Mr.ちゅらさん · CC BY-SA 4.0Japan's earthquake-recovery marathon returns Nov 15, 2026 — 20,000 runners from Kobe City Hall out along the Akashi coast to a Harborland finish.
Sun, Nov 15, 2026 09:00 JST OsakaMarathon ¥18,000 (Japan residents) / ¥24,200 (overseas entrants); 2-person relay ¥30,400 (Fees per the official race guidelines, as of September 18, 2026.)
OfficialUpcoming© Joseph Breck & Sons;
New England Agricultural Warehouse;
Henry G. Gilbert N · No restrictionsJapan's largest media, broadcast and pro-AV technology show—cameras, audio, lighting, XR and content tech under one roof.
Wed, Nov 18, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© senngokujidai4434 · CC BY 2.0Izumo Taisha's Kamiari-sai 2026 runs from the Kamimukae welcoming rite at 19:00 on Wednesday, November 18 to the Karasade send-off rite at 16:00 on Wednesday, November 25.
Wed, Nov 18, 2026 19:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© David Kernan · CC BY 4.0The Tokyo chapter of the international MUTEK festival of electronic music and audiovisual art, held each November (dates TBA).
Thu, Nov 19, 2026 12:00 JST TokyoPer-edition passes & single-show tickets (see official site)
OfficialUpcoming© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0For 2026 the market moves to Shin-Toyosu (20 Nov–25 Dec) plus Shiba Park (4–25 Dec) — not Jingu Gaien. Official dates, hours and addresses.
Fri, Nov 20, 2026 16:00 JST Tokyoチケットの価格・販売開始日は未発表（公式が決定次第告知）。
OfficialUpcoming© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0Sapporo White Illumination 2026 (46th edition) opens on Friday 20 November 2026. Odori stays lit to 25 December, Ekimae-dori to 11 February 2027, and Minami-1-jo-dori, Akapla and the Station South Exit plaza to 14 March 2027. Free to view, with a new Nakajima Park venue added for 2026.
Fri, Nov 20, 2026 16:30 JST SapporoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Kakidai · CC BY-SA 3.0The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2026 runs Friday 20 November to Friday 25 December (36 days) at the Event Plaza and Red Brick Park. Opening day 17:00–21:00; 21 Nov–4 Dec 11:00–21:00; from 5 Dec 11:00–22:00. Entry from ¥500.
Fri, Nov 20, 2026 17:00 JST YokohamaEntry from ¥500 (varies by day and ticket type; food and shopping extra; some free areas). Ticket types: standard entry, priority entry (online only) and priority entry with the Premium Mug. Ticket sales details due in late October (checked 2026-10-13).
OfficialUpcoming© Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0Eikando's autumn light-up runs Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 6 (Sun), 2026: entry 5:30–8:30 pm (gates close 9 pm), ¥1,000 for junior-high age and up, same-day tickets only. Separate from the daytime exhibition (from Nov 11). Checked 2026-10-14.
Fri, Nov 20, 2026 17:30 JST KyotoNight light-up ¥1,000 (junior-high age and up; no group rate; same-day tickets only). Daytime exhibition: adults ¥1,500 (groups of 30+: ¥1,300), university students ¥1,000, high-school/junior-high students ¥800 (official, checked 2026-10-14)
OfficialUpcoming© inunami · CC BY 2.0The Capybara Outdoor Bath at Izu Shaboten Zoo (Ito, Shizuoka) runs from 21 November 2026 to 4 April 2027. Bath time is 13:30-14:30 on weekdays, and 10:30-11:30 plus 13:30-14:30 at weekends, on public holidays and in set periods (official site, checked 2026-09-23). No yuzu-bath dates yet.
Sat, Nov 21, 2026 10:30 JST Across JapanAdmission is 2,800 yen for adults (junior-high age and over), 1,400 yen for elementary-school children and 700 yen for children aged 4 and over on weekdays; 3,000 / 1,500 / 800 yen at weekends, on public holidays and during school breaks (official site, checked 2026-09-23). The official pages do not say whether the bath is included in admission or charged separately.
OfficialUpcoming© ウィ貴公子 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0The Roppongi Hills Christmas Market 2026 runs November 21 to December 25, open 11:00–21:00 (official hours) at O-yane Plaza in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. It is the 20th edition, with 10 stalls including Käthe Wohlfahrt; the 2025 market was free to enter (checked 2026-10-13).
Sat, Nov 21, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoEntry fee not stated in Mori Building's 2026 announcement (checked 2026-10-13). In 2025 entry was free; food and goods are paid.
OfficialUpcoming© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0Ramen Expo Osaka 2026 runs 21 Nov – 30 Dec at Expo '70 Commemorative Park, Suita: 6 weekend sessions, 11:00–21:00, 10 shops each (60 total). Free entry; park fee ¥450; ramen by ticket. 2026 shop list not yet announced (checked 2026-10-13).
Sat, Nov 21, 2026 11:00 JST OsakaFestival entry free. Park admission required (Natural and Cultural Gardens / Japanese Garden combined ticket): ¥450 for high-school age and above, free for junior-high age and under (revised 1 Apr 2026). Ramen is paid for with tickets; 2026 ticket price not yet announced (checked 2026-10-13).
OfficialUpcoming© David Stanley · CC BY 2.0The 2026 Takachiho Yokagura Matsuri is free: Nov 22 (Sun) from 6 PM and Nov 23 (Mon, holiday) from 10 AM, all 33 dances in Takachiho Shrine's kagura hall. The nightly kagura runs 8-9 PM for ¥1,000. The 2026-27 village schedule was not yet posted as of Oct 13 (last season ran Nov 15, 2025 to Feb 7, 2026).
Sun, Nov 22, 2026 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Kakidai · CC BY-SA 4.0Tokyo Midtown Christmas 2026 runs November 26 to December 25, lit 17:00–23:00 in the Midtown Garden in Roppongi, and the illumination is free. The soap bubbles end December 20, the Path of Light stays until February 23, and the ice rink opens December 5 (checked 2026-10-14).
Thu, Nov 26, 2026 17:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Tendency.ma · CC BY-SA 4.0Shonan no Hoseki 2026-2027, Enoshima's winter illumination, runs Dec 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 at the Samuel Cocking Garden and Sea Candle (official site). Hours and prices are not yet announced; last season the garden charged adults ¥500 after 17:00.
Tue, Dec 1, 2026 09:00 JST2026-2027 prices not yet announced. For reference: Samuel Cocking Garden is free 9:00–17:00; after 17:00 on event days adults ¥500, children ¥250. Enoshima Sea Candle: adults ¥800, children ¥400. Adults = junior high age and up; children = elementary school age (checked 2026-10-14).
OfficialUpcoming© 掬茶 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0Hakodate Christmas Fantasy 2026 runs December 1–25 on the harbour in front of Hakodate's Red Brick Warehouses, free to enter, with fireworks every evening at 18:00. The 2026 lighting hours are not announced yet (as of 2026-10-13); in 2025 the tree was lit 16:30–17:45 and 18:00–22:00.
Tue, Dec 1, 2026 09:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Ibex (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0The SENDAI Pageant of Starlight 2026 dates are not announced yet (checked 2026-10-13). It is held on Jozenji-dori Avenue, one minute from Kotodai-koen Station. In 2025 it ran 5–28 December and was free to view, with about 480,000 LEDs on 127 zelkova trees.
Tue, Dec 1, 2026 09:00 JST Across Japan2026 details not announced (checked 2026-10-13). The 2025 edition was free to view; the glowing "Hikaring" ring was a thank-you gift for donations of 300 yen or more.
OfficialUpcoming© Daisuke tashiro from Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0Wild Japanese macaques bathe in a steaming mountain hot spring as snow falls around them — the world-famous 'snow monkeys' of Nagano, most iconic in winter.
Tue, Dec 1, 2026 08:30 JST Across JapanPark admission around ¥800; the 'Snow Monkey Pass' (~¥3,500) bundles transport and entry.
OfficialUpcoming© Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0At one of Japan's top hot-spring towns, kimono-clad locals cool the scalding spring water with long wooden paddles in time to folk songs — a centuries-old daily ritual at Netsunoyu.
Tue, Dec 1, 2026 09:30 JST Across JapanAdults ¥700, elementary children ¥350
OfficialUpcoming© Katorisi · CC BY 4.0Chichibu Night Festival 2026 runs Dec 2 (Wed)–3 (Thu); the main night is Dec 3, when lantern-lit UNESCO floats are hauled up Dangozaka and winter fireworks fill the sky for about two hours. Free to attend; about 80 minutes from Ikebukuro — dates, venue and access below.
Wed, Dec 2, 2026 14:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Henxter · CC BY-SA 4.0An indoor winter edition of Belgian Beer Weekend in Shinjuku's airy Sankaku Hiroba — 60-plus Belgian beers, cheese-and-chocolate pairings and embassy chef dinners, warm and comfortable.
Wed, Dec 2, 2026 16:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Wikimedia Commons · Public domainSix lantern-lit floats are hauled up steep Dango-zaka as winter fireworks burst overhead — one of Japan's three great float festivals and a UNESCO heritage event.
Thu, Dec 3, 2026 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
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
OfficialUpcoming© 663highland · CC BY 2.5Naha Marathon 2026 starts 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, Dec 6 at Onoyama Park, with a 6h15m limit. General entry closed July 11. Bib pick-up is Dec 5; cut-offs are 21.3 km at 12:15 and 34.3 km at 14:10 (checked 2026-10-13).
Sun, Dec 6, 2026 09:00 JST OkinawaEntry ¥11,000 (general) / ¥9,000 (aged 65+ or high-school age, 16+ on race day); non-refundable. General entry for 2026 closed on July 11.
OfficialUpcoming© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Tokyo Comic Con 2026 runs 11–13 December at Makuhari Messe (Fri from 11:00, weekend 10:00). Advance 1-day tickets ¥5,500, 3-day pass ¥9,900. All eight guest acts so far, from Nicolas Cage to Mads Mikkelsen, plus autograph prices and access (checked 2026-10-13).
Fri, Dec 11, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoPaid (tax incl.): 3DAY PASS ¥9,900 (limited); 1-day general ¥5,500 advance / ¥5,900 on the day, U-18 ¥1,000, U-15 ¥500. Autograph/photo tickets extra.
OfficialUpcoming© Mc681 · CC BY-SA 4.0OSAKA Hikari Renaissance 2026 runs 11–25 December around Osaka City Hall and Nakanoshima Park. The Central Public Hall projection mapping plays 17:30–21:30 (last show 21:20), free and in any weather; the City Hall façade and tree-lined street are lit 3 Nov–31 Dec, 17:00–25:00. Checked 2026-10-14.
Fri, Dec 11, 2026 16:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Chad Davis · CC BY 2.0COMITIA 158 runs on Sunday 13 December 2026, 11:00–16:00, at Tokyo Big Sight East Halls 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8. Entry is by catalog — Tia's Magazine 158, ¥1,400 in advance or ¥1,500 on the day, free for under-12s. 6,000 circle slots. (Official COMITIA site, as of 8 September 2026.)
Sun, Dec 13, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoThe catalog, Tia's Magazine 158, is your entry pass: ¥1,400 in bookshops in advance, ¥1,500 at the venue. Free for under-12s. The catalog goes on sale 15 November 2026. (Official COMITIA site, as of 8 September 2026.)
OfficialUpcoming© あばさー (Abasaa) · Public domain (PD-self)Setagaya Boro-ichi 2026 runs Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 December, 9:00–20:00, on Boro-ichi Street in Setagaya, Tokyo, then again on 15–16 January 2027. No ticket needed; 3 minutes on foot from Setagaya or Kamimachi stations (Tokyu Setagaya Line). No parking. (Setagaya City, checked 2026-10-14.)
Tue, Dec 15, 2026 09:00 JST TokyoNo admission fee listed by the city (open street market).
OfficialUpcoming© Degueulasse · CC BY-SA 3.0Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri 2026 runs December 15 (Tue) to 18 (Fri) at Kasuga Taisha, Nara. The highlight, the Owatari-shiki costume procession, leaves the Nara Prefectural Office at noon on Dec 17 and is free to watch from the street. Full day-by-day times from the shrine's official schedule, plus access.
Tue, Dec 15, 2026 13:00 JST NaraFree
OfficialUpcoming© Marusime · CC BY-SA 4.0Senso-ji's Hagoita-ichi (battledore fair) runs Thursday December 17 to Saturday December 19, 2026, in the temple grounds, 5 minutes' walk from Asakusa Station. Hours for 2026 are not yet announced; hagoita prices vary by stall (Senso-ji official, checked 2026-10-14).
Thu, Dec 17, 2026 TokyoNeither Senso-ji nor GO TOKYO publishes hagoita prices — check at each stall (checked 2026-10-14).
OfficialUpcoming© Jack145945 · CC BY-SA 4.0Shueisha's free mega anime-and-manga festival packs Makuhari Messe with Shonen Jump stages, exclusive reveals, voice-actor events and rare merch.
Sat, Dec 19, 2026 09:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0Ito's winter fireworks over the seafront: Sat 19 Dec 2026, 20:30–21:00 at Nagisa Park, paired with the Winter Yosakoi Sozura dance festival and the ITO MARCHE stalls. 10 min walk from JR Ito Station.
Sat, Dec 19, 2026 16:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY 2.0The 2026-2027 Zao Snow Monsters light-up runs on 31 nights between Dec 26, 2026 and Feb 23, 2027, 17:00–21:00 (last ride up 19:45 from Zao Sanroku Station). Ropeway round trip: ¥4,600 adults, ¥2,300 children (Zao Ropeway, checked 2026-10-13).
Sat, Dec 26, 2026 17:00 JST Across JapanRound trip Zao Sanroku Station ⇔ Jizo Sancho Station: ¥4,600 adults, ¥2,300 children (6–11), 2026-2027 season (Zao Ropeway, checked 2026-10-13). Groups of 20 or more need a reservation.
OfficialUpcoming© Taichi · CC BY-SA 3.0Comiket 109 runs three days, December 29-31, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight, with circles open 10:30-16:00 and East Halls 4-6 closed for renovation. The organizers say ticket and wristband details for general visitors will be published around early November (checked 2026-10-14).
Tue, Dec 29, 2026 10:30 JST TokyoGeneral visitors need a ticket or a wristband pass (same system as Comiket 102-108). C109 prices and sale dates are not yet announced; the organizers plan to publish details around early November (checked 2026-10-14). Circle applications closed in August 2026.
OfficialUpcoming© Marianne North · Public domainChion-in's 2026 joya-no-kane dates and booking are not announced yet (as of Oct 14). In 2025 the ringing began around 22:40, viewing required an advance application (from Dec 1, 14:00) at ¥3,000, and visitors could watch but not ring the bell. The Dec 27 trial ringing needed no booking.
Thu, Dec 31, 2026 Kyoto2026 not announced (checked 2026-10-14). In 2025: ¥3,000 per person (free for elementary-school children and younger), by advance application or ticket bought at the Yuzen-en reception.
OfficialUpcoming© Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0Universal Studios Japan's NO LIMIT! COUNTDOWN 2027 runs Dec 31, 2026 7:00 p.m. to Jan 1, 2027 9:00 p.m. A PARTY PASS costs ¥16,900 (all ages); general sale opens about 21:00 JST on Nov 4. Day guests must leave by 5 p.m. on Dec 31.
Thu, Dec 31, 2026 19:00 JST OsakaPARTY PASS ¥16,900 incl. tax (all ages; 3 and under free); fireworks viewing-area packages ¥23,800–24,300; dinner packages ¥32,800–61,900; VIP tours from ¥348,500
OfficialUpcoming© Markus Leupold-Löwenthal · CC BY-SA 3.0Tokyo's official free countdown lights up the Metropolitan Government Building with giant projection mapping, live acts and a midnight cheer in Shinjuku.
Thu, Dec 31, 2026 22:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Saigen Jiro · CC0Some two million Osakans cross the arched Sorihashi bridge to greet the year at 'Sumiyossan,' head shrine of Japan's 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines.
Thu, Dec 31, 2026 22:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert · CC BY-SA 4.0Fushimi Inari hatsumode 2027: entry free, New Year rite at 6:00 on 1 January; press and guide sites say the grounds are open around the clock. The car park closes 30 Dec-6 Jan; take JR to Inari or Keihan to Fushimi-Inari.
Thu, Dec 31, 2026 23:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Nightcrafter · CC BY-SA 4.0Meiji Jingu stays open all night from New Year's Eve; Jan 1 is 0:00–18:30 (previous 2025–26 official hours). Free, 1 min from Harajuku Station. 2026–27 hours not yet announced.
Thu, Dec 31, 2026 23:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Kestrel · CC BY-SA 4.0Hatsumode 2027 at Kawasaki Daishi: the New Year traditionally opens with the 0:00 goma rite on 1 January. Nearby roads close to cars at set hours on 1-3 Jan, so take the Keikyu Daishi Line; entry is free.
Fri, Jan 1, 2027Free
OfficialUpcoming© Syced (Wikimedia Commons) · CC0Hakone Ekiden 2027, the 103rd race, runs Sat 2 Jan (Tokyo to Lake Ashi) and Sun 3 Jan 2027 (back to Otemachi) over 217.1 km, watched from the roadside with no paid seats listed. Seeded teams, the 17 Oct qualifier and relay-station times from the 2026 results.
Sat, Jan 2, 2027 09:00 JST TokyoWatched from the roadside; the organisers' spectator page lists no sign-up and no paid seating (checked 2026-10-13).
OfficialUpcoming© Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY 2.0The New Year Greeting at Tokyo's Imperial Palace is held every 2 January, a Saturday in 2027. In 2026 visitors entered via the Main Gate (Nijubashi) from 9:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m., free and without registration, for five balcony appearances.
Sat, Jan 2, 2027 TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert · CC BY 4.0Around a million people pack Osaka's Imamiya Ebisu Shrine over January 9-11 to pray to 'Ebessan', the god of business prosperity - collecting a lucky fukuzasa bamboo branch from kimono-clad 'fuku-musume' maidens to the chant 'come with your bamboo for a thriving business'.
Sat, Jan 9, 2027 09:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Ogata Kōrin · Public domainFamous as Japan's earliest-blooming plum grove, Atami Bairin opens its winter ume from early January with taiko, geisha dances and hot-spring charm.
Sat, Jan 9, 2027 09:00 JST Across JapanModest garden admission during the festival (recent years a few hundred yen).
OfficialUpcoming© KENPEI (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0Fukuotoko Erabi 2027 starts at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 10, 2027, at Nishinomiya Shrine in Hyogo. Runners dash about 230 m from the Red Gate to the main hall, front-row spots are drawn by lottery, and no fee is listed. Toka Ebisu runs January 9 to 11.
Sun, Jan 10, 2027 06:00 JST OsakaNo entry or viewing fee is listed on the official site (checked 2026-10-13). Front-row starting spots are allocated by lottery. The 2027 lottery time and numbers are not announced yet.
OfficialUpcoming© Creazilla · CC0Grand Sumo Hatsu Basho 2027 runs January 10–24, 2027 at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo. Advance tickets go on sale Saturday 5 December 2026. Arrive by ~14:00–15:00 for the top-division bouts.
Sun, Jan 10, 2027 08:00 JST TokyoTickets required (no free entry). Prices vary by day and seat tier; 2027 prices are released with the tournament — confirm on sumo.or.jp. As a rough guide (approximate 2026 prices, as of July 2026): ringside tamari-seki ~¥20,000/person; masu-seki tatami boxes ~¥9,000–15,000/person by tier and day; Western chair seats from ~¥3,500 (tier C, weekday) up to ~¥11,000+ (SS). On-sale is typically 5–8 weeks before — check the official site for the exact 2027 date.
OfficialUpcoming© Vincent van Gogh · Public domainTokyo Auto Salon 2027 runs Jan 15–17, 2027 at Makuhari Messe. Digital advance tickets are on sale from Oct 1: ¥3,000 Sat/Sun, ¥4,000 for Friday's 2–7 pm public session.
Fri, Jan 15, 2027 09:00 JST TokyoDigital tickets only (sold in advance, date-specific): ¥4,000 for Friday's public session, ¥3,000 for Saturday or Sunday (tax incl.). Elementary-school age and younger free with a guardian.
OfficialUpcoming© Hoboesque (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0Every January 15 — a Friday night in 2027. In 2026 the fire battle around the shrine began at about 8:30 pm and ran to about 10 pm, and entry was by admission ticket, issued only to residents and guests staying in the village (checked 2026-10-13).
Fri, Jan 15, 2027 19:00 JST Across JapanIn 2026, admission was restricted to admission ticket holders, and tickets were issued only to residents of Nozawa Onsen Village and guests staying in the village (ask your lodging). No price is stated by the organisers. 2027 viewing rules not yet announced (checked 2026-10-13).
OfficialUpcoming© 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0A flat seaside fun-run in Ito, Shizuoka: Sun 17 Jan 2027, starting and finishing at Ito Orange Beach with 2 km, 5 km and 10 km courses plus a family category. About 2,500 runners; 15 min walk from JR Ito Station.
Sun, Jan 17, 2027 08:00 JST Across JapanEntry fees vary by distance; 2027 fees and the entry window were not yet posted when checked (see Ito City's official page). Free to watch.
OfficialUpcoming© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0The 52nd Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival runs 23 January to 7 March 2027 (official). In a Daisetsuzan gorge, ice domes and towers fill a riverside field, lit nightly in shifting colors with weekend fireworks over the snow.
Sat, Jan 23, 2027 Across JapanThe cooperation fee for 2027 (52nd edition) has not been announced as of 2026-09-18. For the 51st edition in 2026 it was ¥1,000, with the site open 17:00–21:30 on weekdays and 11:00–21:30 at weekends and on holidays (last entry 21:15).
OfficialUpcoming© 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0Ito's once-a-year bargain market: Sat 23 Jan 2027 9:00–16:00 and Sun 24 Jan 9:00–15:00 at Matsukawa Fuji-no-Hiroba, selling Izu seafood, dried fish and farm produce at 'ridiculous' prices. 10 min walk from JR Ito Station.
Sat, Jan 23, 2027 09:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© 名古屋太郎 · CC BY-SA 4.0Wakakusa Yamayaki 2027 is on Saturday 23 January 2027 in Nara Park: fireworks at 6:15 pm, then the whole of Mt. Wakakusa is lit at 6:30 pm. Watching from the park lawns is free; paid-area ticket prices will be announced in early November (checked 2026-10-13). No rain date.
Sat, Jan 23, 2027 17:00 JST NaraFree
OfficialUpcoming© Yoyogimura · CC BY-SA 4.0Kobe Luminarie 2027 runs Jan 29 (Fri) – Feb 7 (Sun), 2027 — the 32nd edition. You can see the light arches free from the surrounding streets; the special paid zones at Meriken Park need a ticket (advance ¥500 weekday / ¥750 weekend, as of July 2026). All three venues are walkable from Sannomiya Station.
Fri, Jan 29, 2027 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Inlet Masu · CC BY-SA 3.0The 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival runs 30 January to 23 February, open 10:00–20:00 (official). Sculptors spray the clear blue waters of Lake Shikotsu onto frames to build towering turquoise ice domes and tunnels, glowing in jewel tones after dark.
Sat, Jan 30, 2027 10:00 JST SapporoAdmission (cooperation fee): ¥1,000 for junior-high age and over on weekdays, ¥3,000 at weekends and on public holidays; free for elementary-school children and younger (official, as of 2026-09-18)
OfficialUpcoming© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0Kyoto's most famous Setsubun rite, where a masked exorcist drives off blue, red and yellow demons in an ancient court ceremony, ringed by 800 food stalls.
Tue, Feb 2, 2027 18:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0Sumo wrestlers and celebrity 'lucky men' hurl tonnes of beans from Naritasan's great hall, where the chant is only 'fortune in' — no demons to expel.
Wed, Feb 3, 2027 11:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Senior Chief Petty Officer Ryan Delcore (U.S. Navy) · Public domainSapporo Snow Festival 2027: confirmed Feb 4–11 dates, the three free sites (Odori, Susukino, Tsudome), and how to get there from New Chitose Airport.
Thu, Feb 4, 2027 10:00 JST SapporoFree
OfficialUpcoming© ぱちょぴ · CC BY-SA 3.0Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2027 runs Fri 5 – Sun 21 February (17 days) and is free to view. The Emperor's Parade is on Sat 13 & Sat 20 Feb, the Mazu Procession on Sun 7 & Sun 14 Feb, and the dragon dance runs daily, with ~15,000 Chinese lanterns across central Nagasaki.
Fri, Feb 5, 2027 Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© 欅 (Keyaki) · CC BY-SA 3.0The 2027 edition runs 6–13 February (Otaru Tourism Association, announced 9 June 2026). Otaru's historic canal and old rail line glow with thousands of hand-lit snow lanterns and floating candles for eight winter nights.
Sat, Feb 6, 2027 SapporoFree
OfficialUpcoming© 京浜にけ · CC BY 3.0The 68th Asahikawa Winter Festival runs 6–11 February 2027 (official). Hokkaido's second-biggest snow fest pairs colossal stage-sized snow sculptures by the Ishikari River with an international ice-carving championship.
Sat, Feb 6, 2027 SapporoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Kirin7739 · CC0Dates for the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival 2027 had not been announced as of September 18, 2026. The 2026 edition (the 36th) ran February 7 to March 8, a 3-minute walk from Kawazu Station in Izu.
Sat, Feb 6, 2027 09:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Satdeep Gill · CC BY-SA 4.0Western Japan's biggest international cooperation festival: NGO booths, world food stalls and global music fill the Umeda Sky Building, free to all.
Sat, Feb 6, 2027 10:00 JST OsakaFree
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OfficialUpcoming© Albert C. Beckwith, Peter K. Graichen · CC0The world's biggest garage-kit and figure fair fills Makuhari Messe with thousands of hand-built model figures sold for one day only by amateur and pro sculptors.
Sun, Feb 7, 2027 10:00 JST TokyoAdmission ticket required (~¥2,000–2,500); 'one-day license' allows licensed-figure sales.
OfficialUpcoming© Rarisan · CC0Hundreds of candlelit snow igloos glow across Yokote while children inside invite passersby in for sweet sake — plus 4,000 mini-kamakura lighting the riverbed.
Fri, Feb 12, 2027 Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Aos.1905 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0Osaka Auto Messe 2027 runs Fri 12 – Sun 14 February 2027 at INTEX Osaka, 9:00–18:00. Tickets are planned to go on sale in December 2026; prices are not yet announced (a 2026 advance general ticket was ¥3,000).
Fri, Feb 12, 2027 09:00 JST Osaka2027 prices not yet announced; tickets planned to go on sale in December 2026. 2026 show: general ¥3,000 advance / ¥3,500 on the day; U-22 ¥2,000 / ¥2,500; visitors with a disability certificate ¥2,000 / ¥2,500 (one carer free). Each general ticket admitted one child of junior-high age or younger free with a guardian (tax included; checked 2026-10-13).
OfficialUpcoming© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0Demon-masked 'namahage' brandishing torches stampede down a snowy mountainside at Shinzan Shrine in a fierce, firelit Oga winter spectacle.
Fri, Feb 12, 2027 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Etwas Neues · CC BY-SA 3.0Roughly 3,000 plum trees in over 60 varieties scent one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, drawing crowds for taiko, tea ceremony and geisha dances.
Sat, Feb 13, 2027 08:00 JST Across Japan2026: Kairakuen inner garden ¥320, Kodokan ¥420 for adults (Ibaraki residents also pay during the festival). Kairakuen's current fee table lists ¥500 for adults in the festival period; check 2027 prices on the official site.
OfficialUpcoming© Immanuelle · CC BY 4.0Every February the whole of Mount Omuro (580 m) above Izu Kogen is set alight. 2027: Sunday 14 February (planned) — ten signal fireworks at noon, then about 40 minutes of flames racing to the summit. Rain or wind pushes it to the next week.
Sun, Feb 14, 2027 12:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0Every February 17-20, dozens of Enburi troupes dance through Hachinohe in tall black eboshi hats to summon an early spring and good harvest - a roughly 800-year-old rite tracing to the Kamakura era, now a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Wed, Feb 17, 2027 07:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Nihongo1234 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0The Tokamachi Snow Festival 2027 (78th edition) runs Friday 19 to Sunday 21 February 2027 across Tokamachi, Niigata. Hours, fireworks and prices are due around December 2026; in 2026 it ran Friday 18:00 to Sunday 15:00.
Fri, Feb 19, 2027 09:00 JST Across Japan2027 prices not announced yet (details due around December 2026; checked 2026-10-13). In 2026 the paid items were limited ones such as the loop bus (¥500, free for junior-high students and younger) and the WEST Snow Park (¥500); free shuttle buses ran.
OfficialUpcoming© 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0Ito's annual All-Japan Pillow Fight Championship at the Ito Municipal Gymnasium. The tourist association's calendar lists Sat 20 – Sun 21 Feb 2027, but the 15th edition's official guidelines are not yet published (as of 2026-09-13). From the 14th edition's official rulebook: eight per team (general, libero, three attackers, three support), three 2-minute sets, yukata compulsory, entry fee 5,000 yen per team.
Sat, Feb 20, 2027 09:00 JST Across JapanEntry for the open division was 5,000 yen per team including accident insurance (14th edition guidelines). The fee for the 15th edition has not been announced. The defending champions enter free.
OfficialUpcoming© Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainThousands of loincloth-clad men pack a freezing temple hall at midnight, surging to seize two sacred shingi sticks flung into the throng — one of Japan's wildest rites.
Sat, Feb 20, 2027 22:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Suicasmo (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0Kitakyushu Marathon 2027 is on Sunday, February 21, 2027, starting 9:00 a.m. at Kitakyushu City Hall. Marathon entry is ¥15,500 (the ¥20,000 overseas quota has closed); every race was oversubscribed and lottery results come out October 16 at 10:00 JST (checked 2026-10-13).
Sun, Feb 21, 2027 09:00 JST FukuokaMarathon ¥15,500 (Japan entry) / ¥20,000 (overseas entry site); pair relay ¥29,000 per pair; 20.7 km ¥14,500; fun run ¥5,000 adults / ¥1,500 high-school age and under. Handling fees are extra; the official T-shirt is an optional +¥2,000.
OfficialUpcoming© 663highland (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.5Kumamoto Castle Marathon 2027 starts at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, Feb 21, 2027, finishing at Kumamoto Castle. The full marathon costs ¥14,575 (Japan) or ¥22,800 (overseas). Lottery results: Oct 15; payment deadline: Oct 29. Check-in, the overseas slot and race-day traffic are covered too.
Sun, Feb 21, 2027 09:00 JST Across JapanFull marathon ¥13,750 + ¥825 = ¥14,575 (Japan) / ¥20,000 + ¥2,800 = ¥22,800 (overseas); 30 km ¥5,830; Fun Run ¥3,740 (all incl. payment fee).
OfficialUpcoming© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0Kyoto Marathon 2027 runs on Sunday, February 21, 2027, starting at Takebishi Stadium Kyoto in Nishikyogoku at 9:00 a.m. and finishing in front of Heian-jingu Shrine, with a field of 16,000.
Sun, Feb 21, 2027 09:00 JST KyotoMarathon entry ¥18,500 (Kyoto residents) / ¥19,500 (other domestic) / ¥35,000 (overseas); pair-ekiden ¥34,000/pair; wheelchair race ¥3,000. Spectating is free. (Fees per the official race guidelines, as of September 18, 2026.)
OfficialUpcoming© 湖の国の王子 · CC BY-SA 4.0Ome Marathon 2027 is on Sunday, February 21, 2027, in Ome, western Tokyo: 10 km at 9:30, 30 km at 11:30 (fee ¥12,000). General entry closes Nov 3 or when full; the 10 km general quota is already full, so only charity, hometown-tax or hotel-package places remain for it (checked 2026-10-14).
Sun, Feb 21, 2027 09:30 JST TokyoEntry: 30 km ¥12,000, 10 km ¥6,000 (high-school students ¥3,000). Charity Premium Entry: 30 km ¥40,000, 10 km ¥30,000. Hometown-tax quota: donation of ¥46,000+ (30 km) or ¥25,000+ (10 km). No cancellations or refunds. Watching from the roadside is free.
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© 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 3.0On March 3 across Japan, families display tiered hina dolls of the Heian court to wish for girls' health, amid peach blossoms and sweet hishi-mochi.
Wed, Mar 3, 2027 Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© nakashi from Chofu, Tokyo, JAPAN · CC BY-SA 2.0Tokyo Marathon 2027 is Sunday, March 7, 2027: a 9:10 a.m. start at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and a finish on Gyoko-dori by Tokyo Station. The runner ballot results went out by Sept 18; what is still open is volunteering — Global Volunteers apply Nov 4–23 (JST). Checked 2026-10-14.
Sun, Mar 7, 2027 09:10 JST TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0Japan's leading art fair, spanning antiques to cutting-edge contemporary across 150-plus galleries in the heart of Marunouchi.
Fri, Mar 12, 2027 11:00 JST TokyoPaid admission ticket (around ¥3,000 in recent editions); the day before public opening is an invitation-only preview.
OfficialUpcoming© Halowand (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 4.0Shizuoka Marathon 2027 runs on Sunday, March 14, 2027, from Shizuoka City Hall (8:20 a.m.) to JR Shimizu Station. The overseas fee is ¥23,000. The 13,000 places sold out on Oct 2, and the Yuzureru bib transfer runs until Nov 14 (checked 2026-10-13).
Sun, Mar 14, 2027 08:20 JST Across JapanMarathon ¥16,000 (Japan residents) / ¥23,000 (overseas residents); Fun Run ¥4,000; Wheelchair ¥2,000; Parent & Child Run ¥2,000 (official guidelines, checked 2026-10-13)
OfficialUpcoming© No machine-readable author provided. Peter 111 assumed (based on copyright claim · CC BY-SA 3.0**Osaka's 2027 Grand Sumo tournament, the Haru Basho, runs March 14–28 at EDION Arena Osaka, and advance tickets go on sale Saturday, February 6, 2027.** Prices rose for 2027: regular chair seats from ¥4,000, regular masu from ¥9,500 per person, sold by the whole box (JSA price list, checked 2026-10-13).
Sun, Mar 14, 2027 08:30 JST OsakaNew prices from the January 2027 tournament (Osaka, per person, tax included; Japan Sumo Association admission price list, checked 2026-10-13): tamari ringside ¥20,000; masu S ¥17,000; masu A ¥15,000 (weekend & holiday) / ¥14,000 (weekday); masu B ¥12,500 / ¥11,500; masu C ¥10,500 / ¥9,500; two-person masu with table ¥13,000; chair SS ¥13,000; chair S ¥11,000 / ¥10,000; chair A ¥8,000 / ¥7,500; chair B ¥6,500 / ¥6,000; chair C ¥5,500 / ¥5,000; chair D ¥4,000; wheelchair space ¥5,000. Masu are sold by the whole box (e.g. a 4-person Masu C box on a weekday: ¥9,500 × 4 = ¥38,000). Fees are extra (¥2,000 per ticket on the English Ticket Oosumo site at the November 2026 sale). Same-day tickets only if advance tickets remain.
OfficialUpcoming© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0Nagoya Women's Marathon 2027 starts at 9:10 a.m. JST on Sunday, March 14, 2027, from Vantelin Dome Nagoya. The domestic lottery results came out on October 2; overseas runners can still enter first come, first served until December 25 (¥25,000). Every finisher gets a Baccarat tumbler (checked 2026-10-14).
Sun, Mar 14, 2027 09:10 JST NagoyaOverseas entry ¥25,000 (first come, until Dec 25, 2026); domestic general lottery ¥19,000 (closed); Elite ¥19,000 (from Dec 1). Administrative fee extra. Spectating is free.
OfficialUpcoming© Manish Prabhune · CC BY 2.0A 700m 'sakura tunnel' of 260-plus cherry trees arches over the Imperial Palace moat, best seen by rowboat or under evening illumination.
Thu, Mar 25, 2027 TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Seattleite7 · CC BY-SA 4.0Over 1,000 cherry trees frame the brilliant white 'White Heron' castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in one of Japan's most picture-perfect hanami scenes.
Sat, Mar 27, 2027 OsakaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Tawashi2006 · CC BY 2.1 jpAround 30,000 cherry trees in 200 varieties blanket a sacred mountainside, blooming in waves up four zones from Shimo to Oku Senbon.
Sat, Mar 27, 2027 NaraFree
OfficialUpcoming© Jack145945 · CC BY-SA 4.0The world's largest anime expo leaves Tokyo for the first time and brings its public days to Intex Osaka.
Sat, Mar 27, 2027 10:00 JST OsakaPaid admission; ticket prices for the 2027 Osaka edition to be announced on the official site.
OfficialUpcoming© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0Japan's hot-spring capital throws its biggest party of the year — a fire festival on Mount Ogi, free baths across the city and a mikoshi parade thanking the springs.
Thu, Apr 1, 2027 11:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© 江戸村のとくぞう (Edomura no Tokuzo) · CC BY-SA 4.0The 53rd Shingen-ko Festival is expected in Kofu in April 2027, but the exact dates are still unannounced as of September 2026. Casting is set: actor Maki Miya as Takeda Shingen — only the third woman in the role — and opera singer Kohei Yamamoto as Yamamoto Kansuke.
Fri, Apr 2, 2027 12:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0Dates for Inuyama Festival 2027 had not been announced as of September 18, 2026. The festival falls on the first Saturday and Sunday of April, which points to April 3-4, 2027.
Sat, Apr 3, 2027 08:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Kakidai · CC BY-SA 4.0A major indoor EDM festival (past headliners include Swedish House Mafia and Marshmello), confirmed for April 2027 at Saitama Super Arena.
Sat, Apr 3, 2027 11:00 JST TokyoTickets & lineup TBA on the official site
OfficialUpcoming© Suikotei · CC BY-SA 4.0Kanamara Matsuri 2027 is expected on Sunday 4 April 2027, the first Sunday of April, at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki; official dates are not yet announced (checked 11 Oct 2026).
Sun, Apr 4, 2027 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Pksois23 · CC0The 2027 Japanese Grand Prix runs Friday 9 – Sunday 11 April at Suzuka Circuit and hosts Japan’s first-ever F1 Sprint. Tickets go on sale on 15 November 2026 at 11:00 JST on the circuit’s MobilityStation site; the West Area ticket costs ¥22,000 for an adult.
Fri, Apr 9, 2027 09:00 JST NagoyaOfficial 2027 prices, tax included: West Area ticket ¥22,000 adult / ¥11,000 U23 / ¥6,000 child / ¥4,200 age 3 to preschool; standard reserved seats from ¥24,000 (G, adult) to ¥120,000 and up (V2), restricted-view Ultra Outlet seats from ¥23,000 (D-1/D-2, adult); Ferris Wheel Lounge ¥600,000; Paddock Club ¥1,200,000. Thursday & Friday ticket from ¥11,000 and Thursday ticket from ¥6,800 (adult; details TBA). On sale 15 Nov 2026, 11:00 JST (checked 2026-10-14).
OfficialUpcoming© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0One 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 JST OkinawaTicketed reserved seating in tiers; a free viewing area is also available. Exact 2027 date confirmed in winter.
OfficialUpcoming© z tanuki · CC BY 3.0Twelve ornate Edo-era yatai floats with karakuri puppets parade through old Takayama, glowing with around 100 lanterns each at the night festival.
Wed, Apr 14, 2027 09:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialUpcoming© 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 4.0Around 2,600 cherry trees encircle Hirosaki Castle's moats, famous for petal-carpeted 'flower rafts' and dazzling nighttime illuminations.
Fri, Apr 16, 2027 09:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Founded by footballer Hidetoshi Nakata, this open-air festival pours around 130 regional breweries' sake in the heart of Roppongi each spring.
Fri, Apr 16, 2027 11:00 JST TokyoPaid: a starter set buys a glass plus tasting tokens; extra tokens sold on site.
OfficialUpcoming© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Tokyo's biggest environmental festival fills Yoyogi Park with eco-food stalls, live music and 300+ booths — zero-waste, English-friendly and free to wander.
Sat, Apr 17, 2027 10:00 JST TokyoFree
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© teru · Public domainOn the night of April 19, hundreds of near-naked men carry a giant drum on a tall wooden tower through Hida-Furukawa while rival neighborhood teams charge in to plant their small drums against it - the wild Okoshi-daiko, heart of a UNESCO-listed festival that also parades nine ornate floats on the 20th.
Mon, Apr 19, 2027 09:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© 要塞騎士 · CC0A beloved open-air house & techno festival held over Golden Week on a hilltop in Higashi-Izu (next edition dates TBA).
Sat, May 1, 2027 10:00 JST Across JapanMulti-tier passes plus camping/parking (see official site)
OfficialUpcoming© Jovandavid · Public DomainThree 12-metre, 20-ton wooden floats — among Japan's largest — are hauled through Nanao's narrow streets.
Mon, May 3, 2027 09:00 JST KanazawaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0Giant kites duel over the Nakatajima dunes by day; by night, illuminated palace-style floats and brass bands fill downtown Hamamatsu.
Mon, May 3, 2027 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© フェレス · CC BY-SA 2.1 jpOne of Japan's biggest festivals: around 2 million people watch 750-plus troupes parade with shamoji clappers, flower floats and stage shows over May 3–4.
Mon, May 3, 2027 10:00 JST FukuokaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Gregg Tavares · CC BY 2.0The Grand Sumo Natsu Basho (Summer Tournament) runs May 9–23, 2027 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo — a 15-day honbasho, Sunday to Sunday, and one of only three Tokyo tournaments each year. Tickets sell via the official English site sumo.or.jp/EnTicket; arrive around 14:00–15:00 for the top division (the day ends by ~18:00).
Sun, May 9, 2027 08:30 JST TokyoTickets required. Arena chair seats start from around ¥3,000; box (masu) seats and ringside cost more. Purchase via the official Japan Sumo Association ticket site.
OfficialUpcoming© Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France · CC BY 2.0Sanja Matsuri 2027 had no announced dates as of September 18, 2026. Asakusa Shrine runs it on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday anchored on the third Saturday of May, which points to May 14-16, 2027.
Fri, May 14, 2027 13:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© countryroad (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0The Sendai Aoba Festival 2027 (43rd edition) is on May 15 (eve festival) and May 16 (main festival) on Jozenji-dori in central Sendai. Reserved seats cost ¥1,000–5,000, group and SS bookings opened Oct 1, 2026 on a first-come basis (checked 2026-10-13), and individual sales start in March 2027 or later.
Sat, May 15, 2027 09:00 JST Across JapanReserved seats (43rd edition, Jozenji-dori, tax incl.): A ¥1,500 (May 15 day) / ¥2,500 (May 15 evening) / ¥4,000 (May 16); B ¥1,000 / ¥2,000 / ¥3,500; SA ¥5,000 and SB ¥4,500 (May 16 only); SS tables ¥8,000–80,000. Group (10+) and SS bookings Oct 1, 2026 – Mar 26, 2027; individual sales from March 2027 or later (checked 2026-10-13).
OfficialUpcoming© Jose Fernando from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0One of Japan's three great festivals returns in full force: mikoshi processions fill Kanda, Nihonbashi and Akihabara in this 2027 honmatsuri year.
Sat, May 15, 2027 08:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Oilstreet · CC BY 2.5A two-stage open-air house/techno/bass festival with camping in the Kyoto countryside (next edition dates TBA).
Sat, May 15, 2027 10:00 JST KyotoAdvance standing ~¥9,000–10,000; group packs; camping/parking extra
OfficialUpcoming© J o (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0Aoi Matsuri 2027 is on Saturday, May 15. The procession usually leaves the Kyoto Imperial Palace at 10:30, reaches Shimogamo Shrine at 11:40 and Kamigamo Shrine at 15:30; rain moves it to May 16. Paid seats cost ¥5,000-¥20,000 in 2026; 2027 prices are not yet announced.
Sat, May 15, 2027 10:30 JST KyotoPaid seats (2026): Kyoto Gyoen general ¥5,000-¥6,500, Royal Seat ¥18,000-¥20,000; Shimogamo Shrine approach general ¥5,000-¥6,500, Manabi Seat ¥8,500-¥10,500. 2027 prices not yet announced (checked 2026-10-13).
OfficialUpcoming© Marie-Sophie Mejan · CC BY 4.0A 1,400-year-old imperial procession of 500 people in Heian-era robes winds 8km through Kyoto, oxen and ox-carts adorned with hollyhock leaves.
Sat, May 15, 2027 10:30 JST KyotoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Jason Riedy · CC BY 2.0Osaka's Den Den Town shuts its main street for one of Japan's largest cosplay parades, where thousands of costumed fans flood the otaku district.
Sun, May 16, 2027 11:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Ray in Manila · CC BY 2.0Nikko Toshogu's Spring Grand Festival (Nikko City, Tochigi) is held every year on May 17-18 -- a fixed date because it is a Shinto rite -- which in 2027 falls on Mon May 17 and Tue May 18. Usually, yabusame mounted archery starts at 1pm on the 17th on the Omotesando approach, and the Hyakumono-zoroi Sennin Musha Gyoretsu, a procession of over 1,200 people in 53 roles, sets off at 11am on the 18th for the Otabisho. Watching is free. Confirm the 2027 times on toshogu.jp before you go.
Mon, May 17, 2027 09:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Jonathan Mercieca · CC BY-SA 4.0One of Hokuriku's three great festivals: six towering 6-metre warrior floats crowned with giant musha-ningyo figures are hauled through old port-town streets.
Wed, May 19, 2027 08:00 JST KanazawaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0Some 400 lilac trees burst into bloom in Odori Park, with a lilac wine garden and outdoor music marking the start of the northern spring.
Wed, May 19, 2027 10:00 JST SapporoFree
OfficialUpcoming© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0Japan's largest indie game festival fills Kyoto's Miyako Messe with playable booths from developers worldwide.
Fri, May 21, 2027 10:00 JST KyotoTicketed (around ¥2,000+ per day, 2026 reference); Day 1 is business-only.
OfficialUpcoming© Hajime NAKANO · CC BY 2.0Hundreds of riders in full samurai armour thunder across Fukushima's coast for armoured horse races and a wild scramble to catch sacred flags shot into the sky.
Sat, May 29, 2027 09:00 JST Across JapanThe main-day grounds (Hibarigahara) are ticketed for grandstand seating; street processions are free to watch. Exact 2027 dates (last weekend of May) confirmed in advance.
OfficialUpcoming© Z3144228 · CC BY-SA 4.0Kanazawa's grandest festival reenacts feudal lord Maeda Toshiie's triumphant entry into the castle, with a costumed warrior procession, tea ceremonies and lantern-lit dances.
Fri, Jun 4, 2027 09:00 JST KanazawaFree
OfficialUpcoming© Ogiyoshisan · Public domainOsaka's Aizen Matsuri (fixed every Jun 30–Jul 2) just wrapped its 2026 run — here's what happened, and the reliable placeholder for 2027.
Wed, Jun 30, 2027 10:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialUpcoming© 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0Held on the Matsukawa in Ito, Shizuoka since 1956: competitors sit in a one-metre washtub and paddle 400 m from Ideyu Bridge to Fuji-no-Hiroba with a paddle shaped like a rice scoop. The 2026 race was on Sunday 5 July; the 2027 date is not yet announced (as of 2026-09-13).
Sun, Jul 4, 2027 09:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© elmimmo · CC BY 2.0The 2027 Grand Sumo Nagoya Basho runs July 11–25, 2027 at IG Arena (IGアリーナ), Nagoya's new arena that opened in July 2025. It's a 15-day tournament; the top-division bouts run each afternoon and always finish by about 6:00pm. Tickets go on sale roughly 5–8 weeks ahead via the official English site.
Sun, Jul 11, 2027 08:00 JST NagoyaPaid, ticketed. Prices are set per tournament; 2027 figures are released with the Nagoya basho. For scale (approximate 2026 prices, as of July 2026): ringside tamari-seki around ¥20,000 per person; masu-seki tatami boxes about ¥9,000–15,000 per person by tier and day; chair (isu-seki) seats from about ¥3,500 (tier C, weekday) up to ¥11,000+ (SS). Confirm the exact 2027 prices on sumo.or.jp.
OfficialUpcoming© 8-Forest · CC BY-SA 4.0For five days every July 31-August 4, 27 towering, gold-leafed floats and three shrines' mikoshi processions fill Hachinohe's streets - a 300-year-old harvest-thanksgiving festival and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage that draws over a million visitors.
Sat, Jul 31, 2027 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Cp9asngf · CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)Nagaoka Fireworks 2027 is on Monday, August 2 and Tuesday, August 3, by the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata (fixed every year). Show times are not announced yet (2026: 19:20-21:25 both nights). All seats are paid; in 2026 the ticket lottery opened May 25 and sold out June 17.
Mon, Aug 2, 2027 Across JapanAll seats inside the venue are paid; no free seating, no same-day tickets. 2027 seats, prices and sales dates not yet announced (checked 2026-10-14). In 2026: resident lottery Apr 10-28, general first lottery May 25 12:00 - Jun 8 17:00, sold out Jun 17, official resale from Jul 6 (Japan residents only).
OfficialUpcoming© Fisherman · CC BY-SA 3.0Aomori Nebuta Matsuri 2027 runs from Monday 2 to Saturday 7 August 2027 in central Aomori City, on its fixed annual dates. 2027 seat prices are not out yet; in 2026 reserved seats cost 4,000 yen (9,500 yen for the 7 August daytime-plus-fireworks set). Checked 2026-10-14.
Mon, Aug 2, 2027 Across Japan2027 seat prices not announced. 2026: 4,000 yen (2–6 Aug and 7 Aug daytime only), 9,500 yen (7 Aug daytime + fireworks set), wheelchair seat 3,200 yen (tax and guidebook included)
OfficialUpcoming© 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0Ito's largest festival honours William Adams (Miura Anjin): lantern floating on the Matsukawa, a taiko battle, then the sea fireworks on 10 August, the city's founding day. 2027 (81st) dates are not yet announced — this page will update.
Sun, Aug 8, 2027 19:30 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialUpcoming© Rosino · CC BY-SA 2.0Awa Odori 2027 in Tokushima is expected on 11–15 August (Wed–Sun), with the outdoor paid arenas on 12–15 August; 2027 is not yet officially announced. In 2026, grandstand seats cost ¥1,000–¥15,000 and the web presale ran 13–21 June (checked 2026-10-14).
Wed, Aug 11, 2027 Across Japan2027 prices not announced. 2026 outdoor paid arenas: C (unreserved) ¥1,000, B ¥2,000, A ¥2,500, S ¥3,000, SS ¥6,000, special seats ¥15,000 (Minami-uchimachi only); advance, tax included, ages 3+. Free to watch in the streets and free arenas.
OfficialUpcoming© Mila Lai · CC BY-SA 2.0The 2027 Grand Sumo Autumn Tournament (Aki Basho) runs Sep 12–26, 2027 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo — 15 straight days of top-division bouts. It's a 2-minute walk from JR Ryogoku Station. Tickets go on sale roughly 5–8 weeks ahead via the official English site; arrive by ~15:00 for the makuuchi stars.
Sun, Sep 12, 2027 08:00 JST TokyoPaid, ticketed. Rough guide (approximate 2026 prices — the 2027 fares are released with each tournament, so confirm on sumo.or.jp; as of July 2026): ringside tamari-seki around ¥20,000/person; masu-seki tatami boxes about ¥9,000–15,000/person by tier and day; Western chair (isu-seki) seats from about ¥3,500 (tier C, weekday) up to ¥11,000+ (tier SS). A limited number of same-day chair tickets (tojitsu-ken) are sold at the box office each morning, first-come.
OfficialUpcoming© Hirho · CC BY-SA 4.0**Grand Sumo's Kyushu Basho 2027 runs Nov 14–28, 2027 at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center**, the year's sixth and final honbasho. Fifteen days of top-division sumo close the season; the top bouts run roughly 15:45–18:00 daily. Buy via the official English site sumo.or.jp/EnTicket.
Sun, Nov 14, 2027 08:00 JST FukuokaPaid; buy via sumo.or.jp/EnTicket (international cards accepted), Ticket Pia / Lawson / Seven, or resellers (Klook, Viator, GetYourGuide, JTB) at higher prices with English support. Approximate 2026 prices — 2027 prices are released with the tournament, so confirm on the official site (as of July 2026): ringside tamari-seki around ¥20,000/person; masu box seats roughly ¥9,000–15,000/person by tier and day; Western chair seats from about ¥3,500 (tier C, weekday) up to ¥11,000+ (tier SS). Advance sale typically opens 5–8 weeks before; check the official site for the exact 2027 on-sale date.
OfficialUpcoming© Vetalapancavimsatika · CC BY-SA 4.0Held in full only in even-numbered years, Hie Shrine's grand procession sends a 500-strong parade of courtly costumes and portable shrines on a ten-hour route past the Imperial Palace and Ginza.
Thu, Jun 8, 2028 07:30 JST TokyoFree
OfficialOpen year-round© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0A pro-grade ~400-capacity live house in central Fukuoka's Yakuin district, hosting domestic and international touring artists.
Open year-round FukuokaTicket price varies by show.
OfficialOpen year-round© FingerWiki · CC BY-SA 4.0Umeda dinner-and-concert club in the Herbis Plaza Ent, hosting jazz, soul and pop in an intimate room.
Open year-round OsakaReserved seating with music charge; food and drink ordered on site.
OfficialOpen year-round© Johannes Stage (1889–1962), Norwegian photographer · CC BY-SA 4.0Roppongi dinner-and-concert club in Tokyo Midtown hosting international and Japanese artists across genres.
Open year-round TokyoReserved seating with music charge; food and drink ordered on site.
OfficialOpen year-round© DVMG · CC BY 3.0Shinsaibashi's cult underground club where techno, drum & bass and Metalheadz nights roar through a no-frills, sound-first room.
Open year-round OsakaDoor charge varies by event (approx. ¥2,500–¥3,500, with drink)
OfficialOpen year-round© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0Kyoto's most respected basement live house and nightclub, running an all-genre program from techno and house to live bands since 1990.
Open year-round KyotoDoor price varies by event; many nights ¥2,000–¥3,500 with one drink.
OfficialOpen year-round© Arnold Jaeger Werner · CC BY 2.0Pioneering Shibuya club open since 1996, newly renovated for its 30th anniversary, with techno, house, hip-hop and reggae nights.
Open year-round TokyoDoor/advance ticket varies by event; weekly genre parties on weeknights.
OfficialOpen year-round© Querar · CC BY-SA 4.0Upscale Marunouchi live restaurant pairing dinner with intimate jazz, soul and world-music concerts.
Open year-round TokyoReserved seating with music charge plus food and drink; reservations recommended.
OfficialOpen year-round© 金沢市 · CC BY 2.1 jpA serene Yoshio Taniguchi pavilion honoring Zen philosopher D.T. Suzuki, built around a still 'Water Mirror Garden' for contemplation.
Open year-round KanazawaAdult ~¥310
OfficialOpen year-round© Jan Schoepe · CC0Naha's vibrant 'kitchen': vivid Okinawan reef fish, pork and produce downstairs, then a 'mochiagari' service cooks your picks at the upstairs eateries.
Open year-round OkinawaFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0One of Nagoya's largest live houses near Shinsakaemachi, a ~1,000-capacity floor that regularly hosts rock and band tours.
Open year-round NagoyaTicket price varies by show.
OfficialOpen year-round© DrHughManning · CC BY-SA 4.0A lakeside museum in Ohori Park by architect Kunio Maekawa, mixing Dali and Warhol with Buddhist treasures across 16,000+ works.
Open year-round FukuokaCollection ~¥200; special exhibitions vary
OfficialOpen year-round© Hirho · CC BY-SA 4.0The only museum in the world systematically collecting modern and contemporary Asian art — 5,000+ works from 23 Asian countries and regions.
Open year-round FukuokaCollection admission modest; special exhibitions vary
OfficialOpen year-round© Makoragi · CC BY 4.0Historic sake museum in Kyoto's Fushimi brewing district with exhibits, brewery tours and a tasting corner.
Open year-round KyotoPaid admission including a tasting; open 9:30-16:30 (last entry 16:00). Cashless from July 2026.
OfficialOpen year-round© Joi (Joi Ito) · CC BY 2.0A 50-minute sampler of Kyoto's traditional performing arts in one sitting: maiko kyomai dance, bunraku puppet theatre, kyogen comedy, court bugaku dance, tea ceremony, ikebana and koto. The easiest, most tourist-friendly intro to Japanese arts.
Open year-round KyotoAdult from ¥5,500; premium seats ¥6,600. Daily shows at 18:00 and 19:00 (winter Dec–Mar: Tue–Fri only).
OfficialOpen year-round© Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0A glossy multi-floor megaclub in the heart of Dotonbori serving open-format party nights with world-class DJs and VIP energy.
Open year-round OsakaDoor/VIP table pricing varies by night
OfficialOpen year-round© Felix Riano · CC BY 2.0The shop that invented Kanazawa's gold-leaf soft serve, where a shimmering sheet of edible gold is laid on your cone and you can try gold-leaf crafts.
Open year-round KanazawaGold-leaf soft serve approx. ¥891; craft experiences vary
OfficialOpen year-round© Makoragi · CC BY 4.0Free sake museum in Kobe's Nada Gogo district inside a Taisho-era brewhouse, with life-size displays and tastings.
Open year-round OsakaFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictionsIn a Naramachi machiya once home to a Kofukuji monk, taste five Harushika sakes and keep the souvenir glass — sake from the very birthplace of Japanese sake.
Open year-round NaraFive-sake tasting approx. ¥500 with souvenir glass
OfficialOpen year-round© Taisyo at Japanese Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0Japan's first public contemporary art museum, a Kisho Kurokawa landmark crowning Hijiyama hill with bold rotating exhibitions.
Open year-round HiroshimaCollection ~¥370; special exhibitions vary
OfficialOpen year-round© KENPEI · CC BY-SA 3.0An 800-capacity live house on the 10th floor of Hiroshima PARCO, a touring-band staple since 2001 in the Hondori shopping arcade.
Open year-round HiroshimaTicket price varies by show
OfficialOpen year-round© Michael Helmer · Public domainHiroshima's most visited site: a deeply moving record of the 1945 atomic bombing, with multilingual audio guides and free volunteer guides for overseas visitors.
Open year-round HiroshimaAdults ¥200; reservations advised at peak hours
OfficialOpen year-round© K. Takeda at Japanese Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Central Sapporo's flagship art museum, with 5,000+ works spanning Hokkaido art, the Ecole de Paris, glasswork and modern Japanese painting.
Open year-round SapporoCollection admission modest; special exhibitions vary
OfficialOpen year-round© BradBeattie · CC BY-SA 3.0Hakata's oldest 400 m covered arcade with 130+ shops, eateries and the famous Kawabata zenzai red-bean sweet.
Open year-round FukuokaFree
OfficialOpen year-round© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0A long-running two-floor club and live house in Tenjin's Oyafuko-dori, spanning new sounds to classics with a heavy local-event calendar.
Open year-round FukuokaDoor price varies by event; club nights typically ¥2,000–¥3,000 with drink.
OfficialOpen year-round© Yu Morita from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0A converted 1920s schoolhouse whose corridors are lined with 50,000 readable manga — pull any volume off the 200m 'Wall of Manga' and sprawl on the lawn.
Open year-round KyotoAdults ¥900 (check site for current fees)
OfficialOpen year-round© Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Legendary Ebisu live house with a custom sound system, hosting indie, rock and electronic acts plus a loft cafe and gallery.
Open year-round TokyoTicket price varies by show; fully non-smoking venue.
OfficialOpen year-round© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0A public live-house complex and the cultural heart of Koza, Okinawa City's storied music district, hosting local and touring acts.
Open year-round OkinawaTicket price varies by event.
OfficialOpen year-round© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0A Kisho Kurokawa building tucked into Shirakawa Park, strong on the Ecole de Paris, the Mexican Renaissance and local modern art.
Open year-round NagoyaCollection ~¥300; special exhibitions vary
OfficialOpen year-round© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0A premier mid-size live house atop Nagoya PARCO in Sakae, part of the nationwide CLUB QUATTRO chain hosting rock, pop and indie tours.
Open year-round NagoyaTicket price varies by show.
OfficialOpen year-round© Ssemmanda will · CC BY-SA 4.0Nara's famous mochi shop where two artisans pound steaming mugwort rice at blinding speed, then hand you a warm, soft yomogi mochi filled with red bean.
Open year-round NaraFree
OfficialOpen year-round© shankar s. from Poona (pune), India, India · CC BY 2.0660 hectares where ~1,200 wild deer roam freely among temples and lawns, bowing for shika-senbei crackers — a National Natural Monument.
Open year-round NaraFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Hiart · CC0The home of bunraku, Japan's UNESCO-listed puppet theatre, where master puppeteers, tayu chanters and shamisen bring epic dramas to life.
Open year-round OsakaTickets vary by program; English audio guide available
OfficialOpen year-round© pelican from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0Sapporo's 125-year-old fish market in the heart of downtown: crab legs, sea-urchin, salmon roe and steaming kaisen-don bowls from morning to early evening.
Open year-round SapporoFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Evan-Amos · Public domainNintendo's own museum in Uji traces 130+ years of play — from hanafuda cards to the Switch — with giant interactive exhibits in a former factory.
Open year-round KyotoLottery reservation required; admission via official ticket draw
OfficialOpen year-round© Xander Ashburn · CC BY 2.0Osaka's otaku mecca — over 150 shops of anime, games, electronics and figures, with cosplayers spilling onto neon-lit Ota Road.
Open year-round OsakaFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Pitke · CC BY 3.0At the home of Kyoto's 1,200-year Nishijin weaving tradition, dress in one of 150+ komon kimono — footwear and underthings included — and stroll the old capital in style.
Open year-round KyotoKomon kimono ¥4,950 (outdoor) / ¥3,850 (indoor); reservation required
OfficialOpen year-round© shankar s. from Poona (pune), India, India · CC BY 2.0Hidden Nakazaki-cho cafe-bar and club under the railway arches, hosting DJ nights and underground music events.
Open year-round OsakaCafe by day; event/door charge varies for night music programs.
OfficialOpen year-round© Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0Ohori Park Japanese Garden hours, ¥250 admission, closed Mondays, and the easiest way there from Ohori-Koen Station — plus what to see in 30–45 minutes.
Open year-round FukuokaAdults ¥250, children ¥120 (65+ free)
OfficialOpen year-round© James St. John · CC BY 2.0Inside Ocean Expo Park, the giant Kuroshio tank holds whale sharks and manta rays behind one of the world's largest acrylic panels.
Open year-round OkinawaAdmission charged (see official fee page)
OfficialOpen year-round© Venkasub · CC BY-SA 3.0Okinawa's biggest cultural park: explore a vast limestone cave, dress in Ryukyu attire, try bingata dyeing and Ryukyu glass, and catch the daily Super Eisa show.
Open year-round OkinawaAdults ¥2,000; children (4-14) ¥1,000
OfficialOpen year-round© EllieBellie25 · CC BY-SA 4.0A whole building stacked with 23 okonomiyaki stalls: watch chefs layer cabbage, noodles and egg on sizzling teppan in Hiroshima's soul-food theme park.
Open year-round HiroshimaFree
OfficialOpen year-round© AUSH baowHAO 260088 · CC0Kanazawa's 300-year-old kitchen: ~170 stalls of Sea of Japan crab, sweet shrimp and just-sliced sashimi rice bowls under one covered arcade.
Open year-round KanazawaFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Hanlu Cao · CC BY-SA 3.0A 106-hectare green expanse around Osaka Castle, ringed by moats and stone walls — 300 cherry trees, 1,200 plums, lawns and concerts year-round.
Open year-round OsakaFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Nick-D · CC BY-SA 4.0Nagoya's most eclectic arcade — 1,200 shops mixing a 400-year temple town with vintage clothing, street food and otaku culture.
Open year-round NagoyaFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0Sapporo's iconic ~500-capacity rock live house, host to legendary domestic and international acts since 1990.
Open year-round SapporoTicket price varies by show.
OfficialOpen year-round© Hirho · CC BY-SA 4.0Kyushu's only official Pokemon store, two minutes from Hakata Station, stocking 2,500+ items including Fukuoka-themed exclusives.
Open year-round FukuokaFree
OfficialOpen year-round© JJBers from Willimantic, Connecticut, USA · CC BY 2.0Pokémon Center Osaka DX sits on 9F of the Daimaru Shinsaibashi Main Building, open 10:00–20:00 (official, checked 2026-10-11), with an underground link from Shinsaibashi Station Exit 4. The adjoining Pokémon Cafe OSAKA is reservation-only: 90-minute seatings, last orders 19:00.
Open year-round OsakaFree
OfficialOpen year-round© DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0In the heart of old-town Asakusa, this beloved yose performs 365 days a year — rakugo storytelling plus manzai, magic, acrobatics and impressions. Drop in any day for an authentic dose of downtown Tokyo entertainment.
Open year-round TokyoBox-office tickets, all unreserved. Day program from 11:40, evening from 16:40.
OfficialOpen year-round© 江戸村のとくぞう · CC BY-SA 4.0A rare surviving wooden yose from the early 20th century, Suehirotei keeps the intimate atmosphere of old Tokyo. Daily rakugo and variety acts in tatami-and-cushion seating, a one-minute walk from busy Shinjuku-Sanchome.
Open year-round TokyoAbout ¥3,500 adults (students ¥3,000; discounted evening entry available). Day from 12:00, evening from 16:45.
OfficialOpen year-round© Wintermelonizm · CC BY-SA 3.0Tokyo's oldest yose (variety hall), founded in 1857, runs daily programs of rakugo comic storytelling alongside manzai, magic, paper-cutting and acrobatics. A relaxed, ever-changing slice of Edo-era popular entertainment.
Open year-round TokyoAround ¥3,500 adults / ¥2,500 students. Day program from ~12:30, evening from ~17:00.
OfficialOpen year-round© shankar s. · CC BY 2.0A 175,000m2 classical garden of relocated historic buildings — in summer, irises, hydrangeas and early-morning lotus blooms float over its ponds.
Open year-round YokohamaAdults ¥900, children ¥200
OfficialOpen year-round© Saruno Hirobano · CC BY-SA 3.0JR Central's railway museum displays 39 real trains — from steam locomotives to record-setting maglev — plus Japan's largest model railway diorama.
Open year-round NagoyaAdults ~¥1,000 (check site)
OfficialOpen year-round© Asturio Cantabrio · CC BY-SA 4.0The world's first ramen theme park: slurp regional ramen styles in a recreated 1958 Tokyo backstreet, with gluten-free and vegetarian bowls too.
Open year-round YokohamaAdmission: adults ¥450, children ¥100, under 6 free (ramen extra)
OfficialOpen year-round© Manish Prabhune · CC BY 2.0Atmospheric postwar alley by Shinjuku's west exit packed with ~60 yakitori, motsu-yaki and gyoza eateries.
Open year-round TokyoFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Mugu-shisai · CC BY-SA 3.0An underground live house and club beneath Tanukikoji, a pillar of Sapporo's scene hosting both touring bands and DJ nights.
Open year-round SapporoTicket/door price varies by live or club event
OfficialOpen year-round© State Library of Queensland, Australia · No restrictionsMajor Shibuya live house on Dogenzaka, part of the O-group of venues, hosting concerts and late-night club events.
Open year-round TokyoTicket price varies by event; club nights and concerts priced separately.
OfficialOpen year-round© Konrad Krzyżanowski · Public domainA striking subterranean museum on Nakanoshima island devoted to postwar and contemporary art, behind a soaring bamboo-like steel facade.
Open year-round OsakaCollection exhibition ~¥430; special exhibitions vary
OfficialOpen year-round© Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0A daimyo stroll-garden on the Owari Tokugawa estate, with a central pond, Ozone Waterfall and seasonal peony and iris beds beside a samurai art museum.
Open year-round NagoyaAdmission charged (see official site)
OfficialOpen year-round© Angelo DeSantis from Berkeley, US · CC BY 2.0Tokyo's vast wholesale fish market with tuna auctions, viewing decks and fresh-sushi restaurants open to visitors.
Open year-round TokyoFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Mariemon at jp Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0Kyoto's biggest club: a multi-floor Kiyamachi institution that has hosted Skrillex, Steve Aoki and Fatboy Slim for 1,000+ dancers.
Open year-round KyotoDoor charge varies by event (with drink)
OfficialOpen year-round© PattayaPatrol · CC BY-SA 4.0Dubbed 'Hakata's Kitchen,' this century-old covered alley packs 40-plus stalls of glistening Genkai-sea fish, fugu, and pickles that pro chefs swear by.
Open year-round FukuokaFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Stephen Kelly from San Francisco, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0Retro Shitamachi shopping street near Ueno lined with food stalls, wagashi sweets, croquettes and old-Tokyo charm.
Open year-round TokyoFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Wpcpey · CC BY-SA 4.0Yebisu beer's birthplace at Yebisu Garden Place, with a museum, guided tours and a tasting taproom.
Open year-round TokyoFree
OfficialOpen year-round© Ymblanter · CC BY-SA 4.0A Kenzo Tange landmark in Minato Mirai, freshly reopened after a three-year renovation, strong on modern art and Yokohama-rooted photography.
Open year-round YokohamaCollection admission modest; special exhibitions vary
OfficialPast event© kimubert · CC BY 2.0Glowing arches of hundreds of thousands of lights fill Kobe each winter, a moving memorial turned beloved festival.
Fri, Jan 23, 2026 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© 名古屋太郎 · CC BY-SA 4.0Each January, fireworks burst over Nara before the entire grass-covered Mt. Wakakusa is set ablaze in a spectacular winter ritual.
Sat, Jan 24, 2026 17:30 JST NaraFree
OfficialPast event© Kinori · Public DomainHokkaido's winter wonderland: giant snow and ice sculptures fill Odori Park, drawing over two million visitors each February.
Wed, Feb 4, 2026 10:00 JST SapporoFree
OfficialPast event© tab2_dawa · CC BY 2.0One of Japan's three great gardens glows after dark in seasonal light-up events, from snowy yukitsuri ropes to autumn-leaf reflections.
Fri, Feb 6, 2026 17:30 JST KanazawaFree
OfficialPast event© Diego Molla · CC BY-SA 3.0Otaru's historic canal and old streets glow with thousands of candles in snow lanterns, a quiet, romantic counterpoint to Sapporo's snow festival.
Fri, Feb 13, 2026 17:00 JST SapporoFree
OfficialPast event© 雷太 · CC BY 2.0A UNESCO World Heritage village of steep thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses, nestled in a mountain valley that turns magical under snow.
Sun, Feb 15, 2026 09:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert · CC BY-SA 4.0Monks brandish giant flaming torches along Todaiji's Nigatsudo balcony each March, showering sparks over the crowd in a 1,200-year-old rite.
Thu, Mar 12, 2026 19:00 JST NaraFree
OfficialPast event© Chad Davis · CC BY 2.0Japan's biggest anime expo: trailers, stage events, voice actors and exclusive goods from every major studio.
Sat, Mar 21, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoTickets around 2,500 yen; some stage events require extra entry
OfficialPast event© Stephane D'Alu · CC BY-SA 3.0One of Tokyo's most famous hanami spots: 1,000 cherry trees line Ueno Park's central path in a pink canopy each spring.
Wed, Mar 25, 2026 09:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Kakidai · CC BY-SA 3.0Hundreds of cherry trees arch over the Meguro River, and at night pink paper lanterns turn the canal into a dream.
Thu, Mar 26, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Conveyor belt sushi · CC BY 2.0Gion's geiko and maiko perform the elegant Miyako Odori every April, a dazzling spring dance of kimono, music and seasonal scenes.
Wed, Apr 1, 2026 12:30 JST KyotoTickets from around 4,000 yen; tea-ceremony seats cost more
OfficialPast event© United States Embassy in Japan · Public domainJapan's largest LGBTQ+ celebration fills Yoyogi Park with a parade, live stages, food and a vibrant, welcoming community.
Sat, Apr 25, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Banzai Hiroaki · CC BY 2.0Okinawa's Golden Week dragon-boat festival packs Naha's port with thundering paddle races, music stages and fireworks over the harbor.
Sun, May 3, 2026 09:00 JST OkinawaFree
OfficialPast event© Taisyo · CC BY 3.0A vibrant Golden Week celebration along Peace Boulevard, with flower parades, yosakoi dancing, music stages and a giant flower tower.
Sun, May 3, 2026 09:30 JST HiroshimaFree
OfficialPast event© Jose Fernando from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0One of Tokyo's three great festivals: hundreds of portable shrines parade through Akihabara and the old Edo districts.
Sat, May 9, 2026 08:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Douggers · Public DomainA 1,300-year-old torchlit tradition: Gifu's Imperial cormorant masters work leashed birds on the Nagara River nightly, May 11-October 15, 2026.
Mon, May 11, 2026 19:45 JST Across JapanShared sightseeing boat (2026 rates): ¥4,200 adults / ¥2,100 children on regular days; ¥5,100 adults / ¥2,600 children on peak dates. Watching for free from the riverbank is also possible.
OfficialPast event© Torsodog · CC BY-SA 3.0Asakusa's wildest weekend: nearly 100 portable shrines and two million people flood the streets around Senso-ji Temple.
Fri, May 15, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Danko Georgiev · CC BY-SA 3.0A grand samurai procession reenacts a feudal lord's entry into Kanazawa, complete with armor, geisha and lantern-lit floats.
Fri, Jun 5, 2026 14:00 JST KanazawaFree
OfficialPast event© Dariusz Jemielniak · CC BY-SA 3.0Hiroshima's beloved summer kickoff: locals don yukata and fill the downtown streets for three festive nights.
Fri, Jun 5, 2026 16:00 JST HiroshimaFree
OfficialPast event© OKJaguar · CC BY-SA 4.0Sapporo erupts in color as thousands of dancers perform high-energy yosakoi routines through the streets each June.
Wed, Jun 10, 2026 10:00 JST SapporoFree
LumaPast event© HANGOUT · via LumaA first-anniversary celebration at MAISON ROSE in Shibuya — drinks, music and a welcoming international crowd.
Sat, Jun 20, 2026 17:30 JST TokyoPaid (see Luma)
LumaPast event© 福田涼 · via LumaTokyo's friendly pickleball meetup at TIPNESS Kichijoji — paddles provided, all levels welcome.
Sat, Jun 20, 2026 20:00 JST TokyoPaid (see Luma)
LumaPast event© Proof of Sweat · via LumaA sociable 5K morning run from Yoyogi Park's clock tower — find your pace with a friendly international run club.
Sun, Jun 21, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoPaid (see Luma)
LumaPast event© iiyon!! · via LumaRun 5K then refuel with craft beer at ØL by Oslo Brewing — Tokyo's run-and-pint social.
Sun, Jun 21, 2026 12:00 JST Tokyo¥1,500
connpassPast event© 東京-山梨 AI ミートアップ · via connpassLearn how Xserver rolled out the Claude Code AI assistant while balancing security and remote-work efficiency.
Sun, Jun 21, 2026 13:00 JST TokyoFree
LumaPast event© AmaterasSpace · via LumaFounders and researchers gather at X-NIHONBASHI to talk the future of human spaceflight.
Sun, Jun 21, 2026 15:00 JST TokyoPaid (see Luma)
LumaPast event© LIFE DESIGN CLUB · via LumaA reflective life-design workshop in Minato on the theme of self-love — journaling and honest conversation.
Sun, Jun 21, 2026 15:00 JST Tokyo¥6,600
OfficialPast event© BLM Nevada · CC BY-SA 2.0Some 20,000 hydrangeas in 50 varieties carpet a hillside temple garden in Uji — including the elusive star-shaped 'shichidanka' — with weekend evening light-ups.
Mon, Jun 22, 2026 08:30 JST KyotoGarden admission approx. ¥1,000 (adults).
connpassPast event© 音声系国際会議読み会 (ICASSPEECH) · via connpassA hybrid paper-reading session on ICASSP 2026 machine-learning research—speech synthesis, recognition, and voice conversion—open to all.
Mon, Jun 22, 2026 18:00 JST TokyoFree
connpassPast event© 株式会社マネーフォワード · via connpassAn evening on real-world HR data and AI, with People Analytics talks and group discussions among practitioners.
Mon, Jun 22, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
connpassPast event© 株式会社ナレッジワーク · via connpassThree expert sessions on vector search, embeddings, and RAG-driven AI chat, high atop Azabudai Hills.
Tue, Jun 23, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© DannyWithLove · CC BY-SA 4.0Wade barefoot through water and light in this immersive digital-art museum where you become part of the artwork.
Wed, Jun 24, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoAdmission around 3,800 yen; book timed tickets online in advance
OfficialPast event© Akosygin · Public DomainDive into otaku heaven: multi-floor anime stores, retro arcades, maid cafes and gachapon as far as the eye can see.
Wed, Jun 24, 2026 12:00 JST TokyoFree
LumaPast event© Jack Teramura · via LumaA hands-on intermediate workshop for engineers building with ElevenAgent voice-AI tooling.
Wed, Jun 24, 2026 15:00 JST TokyoPaid (see Luma)
connpassPast event© 株式会社スペースデータ · via connpassNVIDIA and industry experts explore how digital twins power autonomous decisions in disaster prevention and urban infrastructure.
Wed, Jun 24, 2026 16:00 JST TokyoFree
connpassPast event© freee Tech Night · via connpassfreee engineers explain disposable per-PR preview environments that tame microservice complexity in the AI-coding era.
Wed, Jun 24, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Asanagi · CC0Sip cocktails above the city: Tokyo's hotel rooftop and sky bars offer dazzling skyline views from up high.
Wed, Jun 24, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoCocktails typically 1,800-3,000 yen; some bars have a cover charge
OfficialPast event© Syced · CC0Tokyo's food paradise: graze on fresh sushi, tamagoyaki and seafood at the historic Tsukiji Outer Market.
Thu, Jun 25, 2026 08:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Maplestrip · CC BY 3.0The flagship Pokemon store in Ikebukuro, packed with exclusive plush, seasonal merch and a giant Pikachu welcoming fans.
Thu, Jun 25, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Domenico Convertini · CC BY-SA 2.0teamLab Borderless Azabudai Hills is open roughly 9:00–21:00 (Jul 2026). Tickets are timed, online-only, from ¥3,800 (adult; varies by day, +¥200 at the door), a 2-min walk from Kamiyacho Station. Allow 2–3 hours — always confirm exact hours on the official site before booking.
Thu, Jun 25, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoAdult (18+) from ¥3,800 online, +¥200 for door purchase; teens 13–17 ¥2,800, child 4–12 ¥1,500, age 3 and under free, with a disability discount available. Pricing is dynamic and varies by day, so always check the exact fare for your date on the official site. As of July 2026.
OfficialPast event© Syced · CC0Wander Japan's largest Chinatown for steaming nikuman, xiaolongbao and panda sweets among ornate gates and red lanterns.
Thu, Jun 25, 2026 11:00 JST YokohamaFree
OfficialPast event© Matthide127 · CC0Yokohama's glittering bayfront at night — ride the giant Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel and stroll the illuminated waterfront promenade.
Thu, Jun 25, 2026 17:00 JST YokohamaFree
connpassPast event© ファインディ株式会社 · via connpassFindy celebrates its DevRel offline community with lightning talks on the trajectories of sharing knowledge.
Thu, Jun 25, 2026 18:30 JST TokyoFree
connpassPast event© クリエイター広場 · via connpassFrontier practitioners explore AI tools, autonomous agents, code quality, and engineering careers in the AI era.
Thu, Jun 25, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
connpassPast event© 株式会社サイバーエージェント · via connpassCyberAgent engineers share Databricks migration stories, analytics democratization with Genie, and secure platform design.
Thu, Jun 25, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© urbzoo · CC BY 2.0A maze of 200+ tiny, characterful bars in Shinjuku — squeeze in, meet strangers, and barhop into the small hours.
Thu, Jun 25, 2026 20:00 JST TokyoMany bars charge a 500-1,000 yen seating fee plus drinks; some are foreigner-friendly
OfficialPast event© Mitchwandrew · CC BY 4.0Walk a luminous path through towering bamboo in Kyoto's Arashiyama, where filtered light and rustling stalks feel otherworldly.
Fri, Jun 26, 2026 07:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialPast event© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0Explore the crimson seat of the former Ryukyu Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage site now rising again from its 2019 fire.
Fri, Jun 26, 2026 09:00 JST OkinawaPark areas free; paid zones include the reconstruction site view
OfficialPast event© H.Hmoderato · CC BY-SA 4.0Pick from hundreds of kimono, get dressed by friendly staff, and stroll Senso-ji and the old streets of Asakusa in full traditional style — booking and support in English.
Fri, Jun 26, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoWomen's standard from ¥2,500; with hair set ¥3,500; couple plan ¥6,500 (return by 5:00 pm)
connpassPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A full-day deep dive into DNS operations, from fundamentals to advanced authoritative and resolver topics.
Fri, Jun 26, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Unknown · CC BY-SA 3.0Contemporary art on the 53rd floor of Roppongi Hills, paired with one of Tokyo's best skyline views from the City View deck.
Fri, Jun 26, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoAdmission around 2,000 yen; often includes the observation deck
OfficialPast event© Atticus nguyen · CC BY-SA 4.0Learn the graceful art of the Japanese tea ceremony in a traditional Kyoto machiya, hosted in English for visitors.
Fri, Jun 26, 2026 11:00 JST KyotoSessions typically 2,500-6,000 yen; reservations required
LumaPast event© City Green · via LumaA free open-air music night at SUNSET PARK CLUB — good sound, green vibes and an easy crowd.
Fri, Jun 26, 2026 18:00 JST TokyoFree
LumaPast event© AnotherBall · via LumaA meetup at the crossroads of AI and entertainment, hosted by AnotherBall for creators and fans.
Fri, Jun 26, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoPaid (see Luma)
MeetupPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Practice Japanese and help others with English at relaxed, recurring language-exchange meetups across Tokyo.
Fri, Jun 26, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoOften free entry; buy your own drinks
OfficialPast event© Dick Thomas Johnson · CC BY 2.0Shibuya's iconic four-floor superclub, famous for its giant mirror ball and world-class techno and house lineups.
Fri, Jun 26, 2026 23:00 JST TokyoCover typically 2,000-4,000 yen; bring photo ID (20+)
OfficialPast event© Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert · CC BY 4.0One of Japan's most sacred shrines, set in a tranquil ancient forest in Nagoya and home to the legendary Kusanagi sword.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 09:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialPast event© Rob Young · CC BY 2.0Tokyo's favorite escape: an easy, scenic mountain just an hour from Shinjuku, with temples, trails and a cable car.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 09:00 JST TokyoFree
LumaPast event© AI Builders · via LumaBuild with Gemini at Google Japan's Shibuya office — a hands-on AI hackathon for builders.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 09:30 JST TokyoPaid (see Luma)
LumaPast event© Isheba Cornwall · via LumaA free, easygoing gathering for book lovers to read together and swap summer recommendations.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© KuboBella · CC BY-SA 4.0An English-speaking host walks you through a real matcha tea ceremony — whisking, etiquette and wagashi sweets — in a serene tatami tea room near Senso-ji, with optional kimono rental.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoFrom about ¥6,000 per person; kimono-included plans cost more
LumaPast event© F Ventures · via LumaA flagship startup pitch and networking summit by F Ventures at Bellesalle Shibuya First.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 12:00 JST Tokyo¥80,000
connpassPast event© サポーターズCoLab（株式会社サポーターズ） · via connpassA summer-festival tech conference on 'AI and Career' with ~20 speakers, for engineers under 35.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 12:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Dick Thomas Johnson · CC BY 2.0A retro shopping complex packed with vintage manga, rare figures, idol goods and Tokyo's famous towering soft-serve ice cream.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 12:00 JST TokyoFree
LumaPast event© Introverts' Home · via LumaA relaxed photo-bingo walking tour of retro Shibamata — gentle, social and great for solo joiners.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 12:30 JST Tokyo¥2,000
OfficialPast event© Savannah Rivka · CC BY-SA 4.0Suit up in samurai armor, learn the basics of swordsmanship, and throw real ninja shuriken on a guided English tour through Japan's warrior history in Asakusa.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 13:00 JST TokyoBasic ticket from about ¥3,000 (adult); premium experiences cost more
connpassPast event© 東京Ruby会議13実行委員会 · via connpassA Ruby community conference on 'what lies behind the curtain,' with talks from sorah, Masayoshi Takahashi and more.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 13:30 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Auckland Museum Collections from Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand · CC BY 2.0Dress in samurai armor, try sword training and throw shuriken on an English guided tour through Japan's warrior history in the heart of downtown Kyoto.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 14:00 JST KyotoBasic ticket from about ¥3,000 (adult); longer experiences cost more
JmtyPast event© Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0A laid-back evening picnic in Yoyogi Park with music, dancing and an international crowd—bring something to share and make friends from around the world.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 16:00 JST TokyoFrom ¥500 (with coupon; welcome drink included)
OfficialPast event© Sakai Yayoi · CC0Dive into retro Shinsekai beneath Tsutenkaku Tower for Osaka's famous deep-fried kushikatsu skewers and neon old-Osaka charm.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 17:00 JST OsakaSkewers from around 130 yen each
OfficialPast event© mmry0241 · CC BY-SA 3.0Fukuoka's riverside yatai stalls serve tonkotsu ramen, oden and yakitori under lantern light — the heart of Kyushu nightlife.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 19:00 JST FukuokaPay per dish; a bowl of ramen and a beer around 1,500 yen
OfficialPast event© Umio · CC BY-SA 4.0Tour a historic 1909 sake brewery in Kyoto's Fushimi district, see the old tools of the trade, taste the pure underground water, and finish with a sake tasting — all for ¥600.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 10:00 JST Kyoto¥600 admission (age 20+, includes sake tasting); ¥100 ages 13-19, free under 12
OfficialPast event© Nnaluci · CC BY-SA 3.0Roll and shape your own nigiri and maki under a professional English-speaking instructor, then sit down and eat everything you made — a hands-on intro to sushi steps from Senso-ji.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 10:00 JST Tokyo¥13,000 per person (ingredients, equipment, instruction and the sushi you make all included)
connpassPast event© きのこカンファレンス実行委員会 · via connpassVeteran engineers (40+) share perspectives on career longevity and sustaining a life in tech.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 10:00 JST Tokyo¥1,000 (main event); networking reception ¥3,000–¥5,000 by age
connpassPast event© 一般社団法人リサーチアソシエーション · via connpassJapan's conference on design and UX research, themed 'WEAVING,' with sessions, panels and workshops.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5Learn to hold the brush, control the ink and write kanji the traditional way in a 90-minute English-led shodo class — and take your finished artwork home as a keepsake.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 11:00 JST KyotoReserve via the official site for current pricing
OfficialPast event© Guilhem Vellut · CC BY 2.0A historic waterfront landmark hosting seasonal events year-round — Christmas markets, an ice rink, beer festivals and bay views.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 11:00 JST YokohamaFree
OfficialPast event© 663highland · CC BY 2.5Stroll Kyoto's historic Fushimi sake quarter, where soft spring water and centuries-old breweries make some of Japan's finest sake.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 11:00 JST KyotoTastings and museum entry from a few hundred yen
LumaPast event© iiyon!! · via LumaA rooftop BBQ and beer-garden party under Tokyo Tower — grill, drinks and skyline views.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 16:00 JST Tokyo¥7,500
LumaPast event© Nanako · via LumaLie back and feel the resonance of Japanese taiko in an immersive sound-bath session.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 16:30 JST Tokyo¥7,000
OfficialPast event© Brett Fagan · CC0Kobe's waterfront glitters after dark — the red Port Tower, illuminated promenade and bay views make for a relaxed romantic evening.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 17:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Syced · CC0Japan's most famous baseball club under the dome — easy, all-weather pro baseball in the heart of Tokyo.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 18:00 JST TokyoReserved seats from about ¥2,200 to ¥7,000+
OfficialPast event© Stephen Kelly · CC BY 2.0Tokyo's indie-music heartland: tiny live houses, record shops and bars host emerging bands almost every night.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoLive-house entry typically 2,000-3,500 yen incl. one drink
MeetupPast event© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0Friendly recurring meetups in Osaka where travelers, expats and locals mingle over drinks and language practice.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 19:00 JST OsakaUsually free or low-cost entry; drinks separate
OfficialPast event© Kazuhisa OTSUBO · CC BY 2.0Aoyama's intimate world-class jazz club, hosting top international musicians over dinner and cocktails most nights.
Sun, Jun 28, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoMusic charge varies by act (often 8,000-15,000 yen); reservations recommended
OfficialPast event© tab2_dawa · CC BY 2.0Pair Japan's celebrated Kenrokuen Garden with the restored Kanazawa Castle next door — landscaped ponds, teahouses and white turrets.
Mon, Jun 29, 2026 09:00 JST KanazawaKenrokuen entry around 320 yen; castle park grounds mostly free
OfficialPast event© Carla Antonini · CC BY-SA 3.0Japan's oldest and largest museum in Ueno Park, home to samurai armor, Buddhist art and an unrivaled national treasure collection.
Mon, Jun 29, 2026 09:00 JST TokyoRegular collection around 1,000 yen; special exhibits priced separately
OfficialPast event© Lianguanlun · CC BY 4.0Cook Osaka's soul food — okonomiyaki, takoyaki and ramen — with an English-speaking chef in 'Japan's kitchen', then sit down and feast on what you made.
Mon, Jun 29, 2026 11:00 JST OsakaVaries by menu and group; reserve via the official site
OfficialPast event© M Disdero · CC BY-SA 2.5Train like a real ninja with a licensed Japanese master — sword, dagger, shuriken and blowgun techniques in a downtown tatami dojo, taught hands-on in English.
Mon, Jun 29, 2026 13:00 JST Kyoto1-hour lesson ¥10,000; 2-hour lesson ¥15,000 per person (ninja costume included)
OfficialPast event© Douglas Perkins · CC0Sculpt your own seasonal nerikiri wagashi by hand, then enjoy it with freshly whisked matcha in a kimono — a gentle, English-guided sweets-and-tea workshop near Senso-ji.
Mon, Jun 29, 2026 14:00 JST TokyoAbout ¥12,000 per person (kimono rental, ingredients and utensils included)
OfficialPast event© Yasu (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0Japan's most passionate baseball crowd — join tens of thousands of Tigers fans for a jet-balloon night at historic Koshien.
Mon, Jun 29, 2026 18:00 JST OsakaOutfield seats from about ¥2,000; infield reserved ¥6,000–¥9,000+
MeetupPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Join casual mixed sports leagues — football, volleyball, dodgeball — designed to help internationals make friends in Tokyo.
Mon, Jun 29, 2026 18:00 JST TokyoDrop-in or season fees vary by sport
MeetupPast event© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0Relaxed, recurring language-exchange meetups in Osaka where locals and travelers swap Japanese and English over drinks.
Mon, Jun 29, 2026 19:00 JST OsakaOften free entry; buy your own drinks
OfficialPast event© Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0Dive into Osaka's neon nightlife around Dotonbori and Namba — street food, standing bars and dazzling river lights.
Mon, Jun 29, 2026 19:00 JST OsakaPay-as-you-go; standing bars from a few hundred yen per drink
OfficialPast event© Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0A short ferry from Hiroshima reaches Miyajima, where the great vermilion torii of Itsukushima Shrine appears to float on the tide.
Tue, Jun 30, 2026 09:00 JST HiroshimaFerry and shrine entry each a few hundred yen
OfficialPast event© Tom Parker · Public domainThrow your own bowl or cup on an electric potter's wheel with a third-generation Kyoto ceramicist near Sennyu-ji; your fired piece is shipped to you afterward.
Tue, Jun 30, 2026 10:00 JST KyotoQuick course about ¥2,000 (20 min); standard course ¥5,000 (30-60 min), plus tax
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A long-running group running hikes, sports days, parties and day trips for internationals and locals across Tokyo.
Tue, Jun 30, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoPer-event fees vary (hikes, BBQs, parties); see listing
OfficialPast event© Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Feel the thunder of Japanese wadaiko drums in an English-led lesson — learn the rhythms and stances, then perform together wearing a happi coat, no experience needed.
Tue, Jun 30, 2026 15:00 JST TokyoVaries by plan; reserve via the official site (taiko-reserve.com)
OfficialPast event© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0Taste Nagoya's bold local specialties — miso katsu, hitsumabushi eel, tebasaki wings and curry udon — across the city center.
Tue, Jun 30, 2026 17:00 JST NagoyaPay per dish; meals from around 800 yen
connpassPast event© 日本MySQLユーザ会(MyNA) · via connpassOracle leaders and AWS reps discuss MySQL's latest features and the future of community collaboration.
Tue, Jun 30, 2026 18:30 JST TokyoFree
connpassPast event© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0Fukuoka's growing startup scene hosts regular developer meetups — web, AI, mobile and more — many welcoming and bilingual-friendly.
Tue, Jun 30, 2026 19:00 JST FukuokaOften free or low-cost; register on connpass
PeatixPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Laugh the night away at regular English-language stand-up comedy shows hosted by Tokyo's international comedy scene.
Tue, Jun 30, 2026 20:00 JST TokyoTickets typically 1,500-3,000 yen; some open-mic nights free
OfficialPast event© Cesar I. Martins · CC BY 2.0Mt Fuji 2026: Yoshida & Subashiri open July 1, Fujinomiya & Gotemba July 10 (all close Sept 10). ¥4,000 fee, reservation, and gate rules — every trail.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 Across JapanA trail-entry fee applies (around 2,000-4,000 yen); mountain-hut stays extra
OfficialPast event© summonedbyfells · CC BY 2.0Sit zazen with the head monk inside a 400-year-old temple usually closed to the public, just minutes from Roppongi — a calm, English-guided introduction to Zen with tea and sweets.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoPrivate experience — contact the operator for pricing
OfficialPast event© Mr.ちゅらさん · CC BY 4.0Catch Japan's top-flight football — choreographed ultras, family-friendly stands and clubs in nearly every city.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 14:00 JST TokyoTickets typically ¥2,000–¥6,000
OfficialPast event© Sergiy Galyonkin · CC BY-SA 2.0Kyoto's most atmospheric nightlife lane — a narrow lantern-lit alley of riverside restaurants, sake bars and traditional teahouses.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 18:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialPast event© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0Settle into Osaka's intimate whisky bars to sample award-winning Japanese single malts poured by passionate bartenders.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 19:00 JST OsakaPours from around 1,000 yen; some bars add a seat charge
connpassPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Dive into Tokyo's booming AI scene at recurring meetups covering LLMs, ML research and applied data science.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0An international bar on Tenjin's Oyafuko-dori that turns into a DJ floor for house, techno, EDM and hip-hop.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 21:00 JST FukuokaDrink-based bar; event door charge varies
OfficialPast event© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0Naha's large resort-style dance club (since 2015) with a full lighting and sound rig, running house, EDM and hip-hop.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 21:00 JST OkinawaWeekday ~¥1,000–3,000 / weekend ~¥1,000–4,000; promos common
OfficialPast event© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0A big, mainstream Umeda club (since 2012) with one of Japan's largest LED screens, leaning EDM and hip-hop.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 21:00 JST OsakaDoor usually includes drink(s); discount coupons common
OfficialPast event© Jovandavid · Public DomainA basement DJ club in Kanazawa's Katamachi district, with weekly DJs across house, techno and EDM.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 22:00 JST KanazawaDoor charge varies by event
OfficialPast event© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0A Sapporo underground institution (25+ years) renowned for one of Japan's finest sound systems — deep house and techno.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 22:00 JST SapporoEntry varies by event (roughly ¥2,500–4,000)
OfficialPast event© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0An established underground club in Nagoya's Shinsakae district, focused on house and techno with local and international DJs.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 22:00 JST NagoyaVaries by event/DJ (door + advance; often includes drink)
OfficialPast event© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0Kyoto's largest club — a two-floor Kiyamachi venue running EDM/house/techno upstairs and hip-hop on another floor.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 22:00 JST KyotoDoor with drink; tourist-friendly entry packages available
OfficialPast event© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0A record shop, label and tiny dancefloor in Kitahama devoted to underground techno, house and electro.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 22:00 JST OsakaIntimate parties; modest door (some free anniversary parties)
OfficialPast event© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0An iconic Amerikamura club since 1999 — multiple floors and a rooftop running techno, house and trance.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 22:00 JST OsakaVaries by event/DJ (advance + door)
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A small, long-running Dogenzaka DJ bar (since 2005) for minimal techno and house, with weekends that run to 8am.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 22:00 JST TokyoLow door (often ~¥1,000–2,000) or drink-based entry
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A ~300-capacity Shibuya club (since 2015) focused on underground house, techno, bass and drum & bass.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 22:00 JST TokyoDoor typically ¥2,500–3,500 (varies by lineup)
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Nakameguro's intimate basement club since 2008 — a sound-focused little room for house, techno and beat-driven nights.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 22:00 JST TokyoDoor typically ¥2,000–3,000 (early/with-flyer discounts common)
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0An Omotesando basement built around a custom Void sound system, where international house and techno DJs play long, immersive sets.
Wed, Jul 1, 2026 23:00 JST TokyoDoor ~¥3,000–4,000 (cheaper before 1:00); 20+ with photo ID
OfficialPast event© AudaCity3371 · CC BY-SA 3.0Ride one of the world's great cycling routes across the Seto Inland Sea, island-hopping by bike over soaring suspension bridges.
Thu, Jul 2, 2026 08:00 JST HiroshimaBike rental from around 2,000 yen per day
OfficialPast event© City of Kanazawa · CC BY 2.1 jpA circular, glass-walled art museum famous for Leandro Erlich's Swimming Pool — playful, interactive and free to wander outside.
Thu, Jul 2, 2026 10:00 JST KanazawaFree public zones; ticketed exhibition galleries
OfficialPast event© Shakher59 · CC BY-SA 4.0Kabuki's flagship Ginza theatre stages its July all-star run, headlined by a spectacular 13-role quick-change tour de force and a 43-year revival packed with aerial stunts and a real-water finale. English captioning is available.
Thu, Jul 2, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoFrom ¥5,000 (Upper Tier B) up to ¥20,000 (Special Seat). English/Chinese captioning service +¥1,500.
MeetupPast event© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0Kyushu's friendliest city hosts welcoming meetups where travelers and locals connect over food and conversation.
Thu, Jul 2, 2026 19:00 JST FukuokaUsually low-cost entry; drinks separate
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A compact basement club (since 2011) beside the Aoyama tunnel, where DJs mix vinyl and USB across house and techno.
Thu, Jul 2, 2026 21:00 JST TokyoLow door, often around ¥1,500
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A characterful multi-floor venue near Aoyama-dori, running since 1996, with an underground party feel across three floors.
Thu, Jul 2, 2026 22:00 JST TokyoDoor typically ¥2,000–3,000 (varies by event)
OfficialPast event© Marco Togni · CC BY 2.0Tokyo's boldest new nightlife complex inside Kabukicho Tower — multiple floors of techno, house and live art till dawn.
Thu, Jul 2, 2026 23:00 JST TokyoDoor & advance tickets vary by event; 20+ with photo ID
LumaPast event© Tokyo Wellness Community · via LumaStart the day with rooftop yoga in Aoyama, finished with a healthy BELCOMO breakfast.
Fri, Jul 3, 2026 07:30 JST TokyoPaid (see Luma)
OfficialPast event© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0One of the Kanto region's largest Tanabata festivals, where central Hiratsuka disappears beneath giant, gaudy bamboo streamers up to ten metres tall.
Fri, Jul 3, 2026 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© ajari · CC BY 2.0Explore Kanazawa's gold-leaf workshops, colorful Kutani porcelain and the preserved Higashi Chaya geisha district.
Fri, Jul 3, 2026 10:00 JST KanazawaFree
LumaPast event© Mira Musette · via LumaA free pop-up of paper ephemera and collage at Design Festa Gallery Harajuku — browse, shop, make.
Fri, Jul 3, 2026 10:30 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Takashi Hososhima from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0The summer edition of Earth Garden turns Yoyogi Park into a festive evening night-market — lanterns, world music, beer and global street food after dark.
Fri, Jul 3, 2026 15:00 JST TokyoFree
connpassPast event© Server-Side Kotlin Meetup · via connpassAn offline lightning-talk night for server-side Kotlin developers, capped with a casual networking reception.
Fri, Jul 3, 2026 19:30 JST TokyoFree
JmtyPast event© ゆの (Yuno) · via jmtyMingle with a roughly 50/50 mix of Japanese and Korean locals over a 2-hour all-you-can-drink dinner—perfect for K-pop, K-drama and Korean-food fans.
Fri, Jul 3, 2026 19:50 JST TokyoMen ¥4,000 / Women ¥3,000
OfficialPast event© Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0A mountain hot-spring resort near Mt. Fuji, combining steaming onsen, a sculpture park, a pirate-ship lake cruise and ropeway views.
Sat, Jul 4, 2026 09:00 JST Across JapanOnsen and museum entries vary; a Hakone Free Pass saves on transport
JmtyPast event© Edge place（エッヂプレイス） · via jmtyA relaxed Korean-conversation meetup at a Kyoto café—practice speaking at any level with seats arranged by ability, then swap contacts over coffee.
Sat, Jul 4, 2026 15:00 JST Kyoto¥1,000 (¥500 if no Korean attendees)
connpassPast event© ステラコネクト-ハーモリウム- · via connpassA hands-on Fukuoka meetup to try 'vibe coding' with AI tools like Codex and Claude—build small apps from natural-language prompts together.
Sat, Jul 4, 2026 17:00 JST FukuokaFree
MeetupPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Connect with Japan's startup ecosystem at recurring founder and investor mixers around Shibuya and Roppongi.
Sat, Jul 4, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoSome free, some ticketed (1,000-3,000 yen) — check the listing
LumaPast event© Tokyo Morning Beats. · via LumaA daytime DJ session in an art gallery — coffee, beats and a creative morning crowd.
Sun, Jul 5, 2026 09:00 JST Tokyo¥1,500
OfficialPast event© 663highland · CC BY 2.5An island in the Seto Inland Sea reborn as living art, with Tadao Ando museums, a Yayoi Kusama pumpkin and outdoor installations.
Sun, Jul 5, 2026 10:00 JST Across JapanMuseum tickets vary; Chichu Art Museum needs advance booking
LumaPast event© イワケン/岩﨑謙汰 · via LumaIwaken Lab celebrates five years with lightning talks and a community tech showcase — free to join.
Sun, Jul 5, 2026 13:00 JST TokyoPaid (see Luma)
LumaPast event© 宇田川寛和｜TIB JAM · via LumaA free idea-pitching and networking event for builders and founders, hosted at Tama Mirai Messe.
Sun, Jul 5, 2026 14:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0The Kyoto International Community House hosts cultural exchange events, language cafes and workshops for visitors and residents.
Sun, Jul 5, 2026 14:00 JST KyotoMany events free or low-cost; some workshops ticketed
OfficialPast event© Guilhem Vellut · CC BY 2.0Yokohama's historic waterfront warehouses host seasonal festivals — Oktoberfest, flower garden, ice rink and food fairs.
Mon, Jul 6, 2026 11:00 JST YokohamaFree
connpassPast event© 株式会社タイミー · via connpassA Timee case-study session on business strategy and design challenges—how product design and designers' roles evolve in the AI era.
Mon, Jul 6, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Kyu3 · CC BY-SA 4.0Step into the worlds of Studio Ghibli in Aichi, with life-size sets from Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl's Castle and more.
Tue, Jul 7, 2026 10:00 JST NagoyaTimed tickets required; book online well in advance
JmtyPast event© Jupiter（宮澤） · via jmtyA 90-minute introductory aroma hand-therapy workshop in Yokohama, finishing with a relaxed tea gathering—wellness for caregivers and busy minds.
Tue, Jul 7, 2026 13:30 JST Yokohama¥1,000
OfficialPast event© Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0World-touring taiko troupe DRUM TAO performs a 45-minute show at its own open-air theatre, perched at 1,036m in the grasslands of Aso-Kuju National Park. Thunderous drumming, athletic choreography and sweeping highland views.
Tue, Jul 7, 2026 14:00 JST Across JapanAdults (junior-high+) ¥4,500; children (4+) ¥2,500; under 3 free. Spring/autumn shows at 14:00.
MeetupPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A friendly, long-running monthly meetup for iOS and Swift developers in Tokyo — talks in English, all levels welcome.
Tue, Jul 7, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Nesnad · CC BY 4.0German beer festivals tour Japan's cities each year with imported brews, sausages and live oompah bands.
Wed, Jul 8, 2026 12:00 JST Across JapanFree
connpassPast event© Nutanix Japan G.K. · via connpassA hybrid meetup celebrating the new book 'Nutanix Cloud Platform Practical Guide,' with chapter walkthroughs from its authors.
Wed, Jul 8, 2026 18:30 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Benford Choi · CC BY-SA 3.0Rolling purple lavender fields perfume the Hokkaido hills at Japan's most iconic flower farm, framed by distant snow-capped peaks.
Fri, Jul 10, 2026 08:30 JST SapporoFree
MeetupPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Japan is a hotspot for Web3 — meet builders and enthusiasts at recurring blockchain and crypto meetups in Tokyo.
Fri, Jul 10, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoOften free or low-cost; some networking events ticketed
OfficialPast event© UP BEAT! / UP BEAT SOUNDWORKS · 提供画像 (Provided by the organiser)UP BEAT!'s 24th-anniversary headline night took over ZEROTOKYO in Shinjuku on Jul 10, 2026, with guests DJ EMMA and KEN ISHII across three floors. The anniversary series concludes Aug 8, 2026 with The Gathering at BANK30, Tokyo.
Fri, Jul 10, 2026 23:00 JST TokyoDoor ¥3,500 (open 23:00, all-night)
OfficialPast event© UP BEAT! / UP BEAT SOUNDWORKS · 提供画像 (Provided by the organiser)UP BEAT!, one of Japan's longest-running house parties, turns 24 with three special 2026 shows — ZEROTOKYO, a Yokohama sunset boat party, and BANK30. Dates, line-ups and tickets.
Fri, Jul 10, 2026 23:00 JST TokyoEach show from ¥3,000 (varies by show; see each page)
JmtyPast event© KIOG (Kansai International Outdoor Gathering) · via jmtyKansai International Outdoor Gathering's summer series of hikes and day trips—July 11 brings veggie-harvesting and pizza-making just north of Osaka.
Sat, Jul 11, 2026 09:00 JST Osaka¥3,190 (includes lunch)
OfficialPast event© Shixart1985 · CC BY 2.0Japan's largest handmade-craft festival, where about 3,000 creators sell jewelry, ceramics, leather, art and food over one weekend.
Sat, Jul 11, 2026 11:00 JST Tokyo¥1,300 advance / ¥1,500 door (1-day); ¥2,000 advance / ¥2,500 door (2-day); elementary schoolers and younger free.
OfficialPast event© Simon Q · CC BY 2.0Sumo's summer tournament moves into Nagoya's brand-new IG Arena for the first time — fifteen days of top-division bouts in a gleaming 17,000-seat venue.
Sun, Jul 12, 2026 08:30 JST NagoyaTickets required. Arena chair seats start from about ¥3,500; ringside and box (masu) seats cost more. Buy via the official Japan Sumo Association ticket site.
JmtyPast event© pickle · via jmtyA free, all-ages pickleball gathering near Odo Station bringing students, staff and locals together to play and connect across generations.
Sun, Jul 12, 2026 10:00 JST KyotoFree
connpassPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A relaxed, beginner-welcome security meetup blending quiet self-study time with lightning talks—for anyone curious but intimidated by hardcore sessions.
Sun, Jul 12, 2026 13:00 JST TokyoFree
JmtyPast event© 小野精一郎 (@yuru_shougi) · via jmtyA laid-back Japanese-chess afternoon in central Yokohama—beginners welcome, with coaching, free matches and original puzzle cards over a drink.
Sun, Jul 12, 2026 13:00 JST Yokohama¥1,500 (includes one drink)
JmtyPast event© こまつな／江戸川ベースnappa · via jmtyA free, family-friendly Sunday gathering in Edogawa where kids and adults play, sing and connect across English and Japanese—no experience needed.
Sun, Jul 12, 2026 15:30 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© 663highland · CC BY 2.5A celebrated contemporary art festival scattered across the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, blending installations with fishing-village life.
Mon, Jul 13, 2026 09:00 JST Across JapanPassport tickets cover many sites; some works charge separately
OfficialPast event© PattayaPatrol · CC BY-SA 4.0Over 30,000 golden lanterns light the approach to Yasukuni Shrine across four summer nights, with Aomori nebuta floats and bon-odori dancing.
Mon, Jul 13, 2026 18:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictionsTwelve fan-shaped portable shrines representing the gods meet a procession of giant 50-kilogram flaming torches before Japan's tallest waterfall — one of the country's three great fire festivals.
Tue, Jul 14, 2026 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
MeetupPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Monthly gatherings for JavaScript, TypeScript and web developers in Tokyo, with bilingual talks and casual networking.
Tue, Jul 14, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© ちょちょじ · CC BY 3.0Fukuoka's adrenaline-fueled finale: teams race one-ton festival floats through the dawn streets of Hakata.
Wed, Jul 15, 2026 04:59 JST FukuokaFree
connpassPast event© RailsTokyo Team · via connpassA Ruby on Rails community meetup in Akihabara featuring a keynote on 'SRE for Rails Engineers,' sponsor talks, and networking.
Thu, Jul 16, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Corpse Reviver · CC BY 3.0Gion Matsuri 2026 runs all July at Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine. Saki Matsuri yoiyama is July 14-16 and the float parade is July 17 at 9:00; Ato Matsuri yoiyama is July 21-23 and the parade is July 24 at 9:30. Verified dates, times and access.
Fri, Jul 17, 2026 09:00 JSTFree
OfficialPast event© Corpse Reviver · CC BY 3.0Kyoto's grandest festival fills July with towering wooden floats, lantern-lit evening parties, and 1,100 years of tradition.
Fri, Jul 17, 2026 09:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialPast event© Σ64 · CC BY 3.0A four-day camping techno & house festival in the Fukushima highlands, running nonstop through the night since 2009.
Fri, Jul 17, 2026 13:00 JST Across Japan4-day full pass ~¥25,000; Under-25 ¥14,000; Tohoku-resident ¥15,000
OfficialPast event© Nissy-KITAQ · CC BY-SA 3.0Kokura Gion Daiko 2026 was held July 17-19 around Kokura Castle, Kitakyushu -- free entry, an estimated 300,000 visitors over the three days, 400 years of two-sided drumming. The 2027 dates are not yet announced.
Fri, Jul 17, 2026 18:00 JST FukuokaFree
connpassPast event© FlutterGakkai · via connpassAn offline Flutter developer meetup where speakers and listeners alike grow to love Flutter even more, with talks from active engineers.
Fri, Jul 17, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
MeetupPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A welcoming monthly meetup where indie game developers in Tokyo show works-in-progress and talk shop — in English.
Fri, Jul 17, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoSmall entry fee at the door (around 1,000 yen incl. a drink)
OfficialPast event© skyseeker · CC BY 2.0A pristine alpine valley in the Northern Japan Alps, with the Kappa Bridge, clear Azusa River and jagged peaks rising all around.
Sat, Jul 18, 2026 06:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Original: Mithun Kunwar
Derivative work: Radomianin · CC BY-SA 4.0Three seaside days of Nepal in Tokyo's Odaiba — momo and dal bhat, Himalayan crafts, folk dance and music against the bay, free to all.
Sat, Jul 18, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Tokyo's Brazilian Day festival returns July 18–19, 2026 at Yoyogi Park. Officially Festival Brasil & Latino Tokyo — free entry, samba parades, churrasco and live Latin music, dates and access verified.
Sat, Jul 18, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoFree
connpassPast event© JAWS-UG CDK支部 · via connpassThe 5th annual AWS Cloud Development Kit conference at Azabudai Hills, themed 'change'—how CDK evolves alongside AI coding agents.
Sat, Jul 18, 2026 12:30 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Matthide127 · CC0A summer seaside festival at Yamashita Park with parades, a lit-up boat procession and fireworks over Yokohama Bay.
Sat, Jul 18, 2026 16:00 JST YokohamaFree
JmtyPast event© Ami (oneman) · via jmtyAnime-themed sightseeing and a stamp rally around Ikebukuro, capped by an anisong party with food, drinks and a global crowd of fans.
Sun, Jul 19, 2026 14:30 JST TokyoFrom ¥1,000 (tour) / ¥2,000 incl. party
OfficialPast event© Globetrotter19 · CC BY-SA 3.0On the 21st of every month, nearly 1,000 stalls fill the grounds of UNESCO-listed Toji Temple with street food, antiques, pickles and crafts beneath its great pagoda.
Tue, Jul 21, 2026 08:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialPast event© 禁樹なずな · Public domainJapan's largest outdoor beer garden takes over Odori Park each summer, with rival breweries pouring ice-cold draft under the open sky.
Tue, Jul 21, 2026 12:00 JST SapporoFree
connpassPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Tokyo's Google Developer Group runs talks and workshops on Android, Cloud, AI and web — open to all and often bilingual.
Tue, Jul 21, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
connpassPast event© VRChat.rb · via connpassA Rubyist gathering inside the metaverse—Ruby fans meet in VRChat to talk tech and socialize, held during Vket 2026 Summer Tech Week.
Tue, Jul 21, 2026 22:00 JSTFree
OfficialPast event© Christopher Johnson (globalite) on Flickr · CC BY-SA 2.0Japan's biggest outdoor music festival unfolds across a misty mountain ski resort, with global headliners on eleven forest stages.
Fri, Jul 24, 2026 09:00 JST Tokyo3-day pass approx. ¥60,000 / 1-day approx. ¥24,000
connpassPast event© Azure AI Developers Community(JP) · via connpassAI Dev Day 2026 was held on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Otemachi Place, Tokyo — a free in-person developer conference on production AI and agents. Registration closed full: 935 sign-ups across the conference and the evening reception. The connpass page is now marked closed.
Fri, Jul 24, 2026 09:30 JST TokyoConference free; +¥1,000 with networking
OfficialPast event© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0Otaru's biggest summer festival fills the port with the mass 'Shio Nerikomi' dance and a closing fireworks display.
Fri, Jul 24, 2026 11:00 JST SapporoFree
OfficialPast event© さかおり (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0Around 600,000 sunflowers blaze across the Yatsugatake foothills, lit up after dark for a glowing field beneath the night sky.
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 09:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Hasui Kawase · Public domainSado Island's 140th Kozan Matsuri (Jul 25-26) pairs a gold-mine shrine ritual with a town-wide Okesa dance through Aikawa and fireworks over the harbor.
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0The 23rd Shinjuku Eisa Festival was held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, 13:00-20:00, free, on the streets around Shinjuku Station. Around 23 Okinawan eisa troupes drummed through both the east and west sides of the station. The 2027 date has not been announced yet.
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 13:00 JST TokyoFree
connpassPast event© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0Kyoto's Google Developer Group runs monthly study sessions and hackathons on Android, Flutter, AI/ML and Cloud.
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 13:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialPast event© Mr.ちゅらさん · CC BY-SA 4.0Osaka's thousand-year river festival ends with a flotilla of lantern-lit boats and fireworks reflected on the Okawa River.
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 15:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialPast event© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0One of Japan's three great river festivals — lantern-laden 'makiwara' boats glide across the Tenno River by night.
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 18:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialPast event© Adbh266 · CC BY-SA 4.0By night, daytime banner floats transform into 'lantern pyramids' — 12 tiers of 309 glowing lanterns swaying as bearers race them through Kitakyushu.
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 18:30 JST FukuokaFree
OfficialPast event© 桜庭シェリー · CC BY-SA 3.0Tokyo's most storied summer fireworks show launches 20,000 shells over the Sumida River with Tokyo Skytree glowing behind.
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Jovandavid · Public DomainThe 2026 Kanazawa Fireworks Festival (Hokkoku Hanabi) has finished — it was held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 19:50, with about 12,000 shells over the Saigawa River in central Kanazawa, free to watch. It ran for the third year as a Noto earthquake recovery-support edition. The 2027 date is not yet announced.
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 19:50 JST KanazawaFree
OfficialPast event© Daniel Ramirez from Honolulu, USA · CC BY 2.0One of the Seto Inland Sea's largest displays — about 10,000 shells, including wide 10-go bursts, choreographed to music over Hiroshima Port.
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 20:00 JST HiroshimaFree
connpassPast event© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0Nagoya's Google Developer Group gathers Tokai-region engineers for talks on Google tech, AI, Android and the web.
Sun, Jul 26, 2026 13:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialPast event© UP BEAT! / UP BEAT SOUNDWORKS · 提供画像 (Provided by the organiser)UP BEAT!'s 24th-anniversary Sunset Boat Party sailed from Zou-no-hana Pier, Yokohama, on Jul 26, 2026, with guest DANTZ -- sunset to skyline, capacity limited (~180). The anniversary series concludes Aug 8, 2026 with The Gathering at BANK30, Tokyo.
Sun, Jul 26, 2026 18:30 JST YokohamaDoor ¥5,000 / advance ¥4,500 (separate one-drink charge); capacity limited (~180)
OfficialPast event© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0The 58th Toyota Oiden Festival has finished — the Oiden fireworks lit up the Yahagi River on July 26, 2026, after the Sohodori dance on July 25. It was the festival's last summer edition: from 2027 it moves to autumn, with the 59th planned for October 30-31, 2027.
Sun, Jul 26, 2026 19:00 JST NagoyaFree
connpassPast event© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0Hokkaido's broad, cross-stack engineering community runs hybrid meetups to help Sapporo's developers gather, grow and connect.
Tue, Jul 28, 2026 19:00 JST SapporoFree
connpassPast event© AI駆動開発勉強会 運営委員会 · via connpassTwo-day conference at Microsoft Japan exploring how generative AI and LLMs are reshaping software development, with speakers from major tech firms.
Thu, Jul 30, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoPaid (on-site); online free
connpassPast event© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0One of Japan's longest-running AWS user groups, with Osaka deep-dive talks, hands-on sessions and certification prep.
Thu, Jul 30, 2026 19:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialPast event© VulcanSphere · CC BY 4.0The planet's biggest cosplay festival: teams from 40+ countries parade through Nagoya and battle for the World Cosplay Championship at Oasis 21.
Fri, Jul 31, 2026 10:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialPast event© Alan & Flora Botting · CC BY-SA 2.0Nagoya's quirky downtown district throws a lively summer festival with cosplay, world dance and a wet 'kara-okuri' parade.
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 10:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialPast event© Marho · CC BY-SA 4.0A Guinness-record wall of taiko drums thunders through Morioka as thousands of dancers chant 'Sakkora choiwayasse!'
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Rosino · CC BY-SA 2.0Hirosaki's own summer lantern parade (Aug 1–7, 2026) — fan-shaped floats and a calmer chant that set it apart from nearby Aomori Nebuta.
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 19:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A 700-metre 'Grand Niagara' cascade and Tokyo's largest shells light up the Arakawa, fired in tandem with Toda City across the water.
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A 1,000-shell opening burst in five seconds sets the tone for one of Tokyo's biggest riverside fireworks shows over the Edogawa.
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 19:15 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Raita Futo · CC BY 2.0The Hakodate Port Festival 2026 is over - it ran 1-5 August 2026. The festival is held on the same calendar dates every year, so the 2027 edition falls on Sunday 1 - Thursday 5 August 2027. Free to attend, 5 minutes' walk from JR Hakodate Station.
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 19:45 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.021,000 fireworks over Lake Shinji across two nights (Aug 1-2, 2026) -- one of western Japan's biggest lake firework shows, with a drone show opening night one.
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 20:00 JST Across JapanPaid reserved seating in 3 lakeside areas (Kohoku, Shirakata, Konan) went on sale June 6, 2026; free public viewing spots are also available around the lake.
OfficialPast event© Kazehayashi · CC BY-SA 4.0Billed as Japan's noisiest festival: dozens of lantern-lit festival cars thunder through Kuwana to a relentless din of drums and gongs deep into the night.
Sun, Aug 2, 2026 18:30 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialPast event© Fisherman · CC BY-SA 3.0Aomori Nebuta 2026 reserved viewing seats: ¥4,000 prices, the 2026 sale dates (lottery + Jun 27 first-come), how to buy, and access from Tokyo.
Sun, Aug 2, 2026 19:00 JST Across JapanReserved viewing seat ¥4,000 (Aug 7 daytime + fireworks set ¥9,500); handling fee added
OfficialPast event© MIKI Yoshihito · CC BY 2.0How to buy paid grandstand seats at Japan's summer matsuri in 2026: lottery vs first-come, prices, the on-sale calendar and the official links.
Sun, Aug 2, 2026 19:00 JSTPaid grandstand seats from ¥1,000 (varies by festival and tier)
OfficialPast event© Fisherman · CC BY-SA 3.0Giant illuminated warrior floats are paraded through Aomori nightly as chanting dancers leap alongside in a blaze of color.
Sun, Aug 2, 2026 19:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Cp9asngf · CC BY-SA 3.0Nagaoka's 2026 reserved seats sold out June 17 — the official resale opens July 6 (Japan residents only). Here's the resale route, the unauthorized-resale warning, and where you can still watch for free.
Sun, Aug 2, 2026 19:20 JST Across JapanReserved seats sold out; official resale only (Japan residents), approx. ¥1,000-¥48,000 face value by tier
OfficialPast event© Cp9asngf · CC BY-SA 3.0One of Japan's three great fireworks festivals, famed for the colossal 'Phoenix' shells fired across the Shinano River as a prayer for peace.
Sun, Aug 2, 2026 19:20 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 4.0Akita's Kanto Matsuri lights up Kanto Odori with about 280 bamboo poles and 10,000 lanterns, balanced on foreheads, hips and palms like glowing rice sheaves.
Mon, Aug 3, 2026 18:45 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© hildgrim · CC BY-SA 2.0Performers balance towering bamboo poles strung with dozens of glowing lanterns on their palms, foreheads and shoulders.
Mon, Aug 3, 2026 18:50 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© No machine-readable author provided. Crown of Lenten rose assumed (based on copy · Public domainSome 10,000 dancers twirl flower-adorned straw hats to the rhythmic cry of 'Yassho, makasho!' in one of Tohoku's biggest parades.
Wed, Aug 5, 2026 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© かるちる · CC0On summer nights, 20,000 candles flicker across Nara Park's historic grounds in a serene sea of gentle light.
Wed, Aug 5, 2026 19:00 JST NaraFree
OfficialPast event© 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 4.0Sendai Tanabata Festival 2026 (Aug 6–8): the fixed dates, the giant paper streamers, the Aug 5 fireworks, 5-min access from Sendai Station, and what to see.
Thu, Aug 6, 2026 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Nesnad · CC BY 3.0Japan's grandest star festival drapes Sendai's arcades in thousands of giant, handmade paper streamers.
Thu, Aug 6, 2026 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Lonely Planet Japan · CC BY-SA 4.0Around 12,000 fireworks reflect off Japan's largest lake near Otsu in a 40th-anniversary show fused with drones and lasers.
Thu, Aug 6, 2026 19:30 JST KyotoFree
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Asagaya Tanabata Festival 2026 runs Aug 7–11, free, rain or shine. Tokyo's arcade tanabata is famous for giant handmade papier-mâché figures of the year's characters, right by JR Asagaya Station.
Fri, Aug 7, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© m-sasaki · CC BY 4.0Fukushima Waraji Matsuri 2026 (Aug 7–9) parades a 12m, 2-ton straw sandal past the station before offering it to Haguro Shrine.
Fri, Aug 7, 2026 18:30 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© DAI-nk · CC BY-SA 3.0Niigata Matsuri 2026 runs Aug 7–9: a 15,000-dancer folk parade on the 7th, then a Shinano River fireworks finale on the 9th.
Fri, Aug 7, 2026 19:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© UP BEAT! / UP BEAT SOUNDWORKS · 提供画像 (Provided by the organiser)UP BEAT!'s 24th-anniversary finale, The Gathering, fills bayside BANK30 in Tokyo on Aug 8, 2026 — afternoon to night, guests Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM) & Kentaro Takizawa. Door ¥3,500 / U-23 ¥2,000.
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 15:00 JST TokyoDoor ¥3,500 / U-23 ¥2,000 (advance tickets available; open 15:00)
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Ten thousand fireworks burst over central Tokyo synced to a live concert lineup, a rare downtown display you can pair with a stadium seat.
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 19:30 JST TokyoFree to glimpse from afar; the official stadium viewing-and-concert tickets are paid.
OfficialPast event© Kounosu · CC BY-SA 3.0Yosakoi Festival 2026 (Aug 9–12, Kochi): Otesuji grandstand seat prices, the 2026 sale dates (general sale opens Jun 29), how to buy, and how to get there.
Sun, Aug 9, 2026 13:15 JST Across JapanPaid grandstand seats ¥1,000–¥3,000 per session (group/parasol tables ¥15,000–¥50,000)
OfficialPast event© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0The original yosakoi: 200+ teams and ~18,000 dancers with naruko clappers thunder through Kochi's streets across four August days.
Sun, Aug 9, 2026 17:00 JST Across JapanFree to watch on the streets; paid reserved (shaded) seats sold for the main venues.
OfficialPast event© Kounosu · CC BY-SA 3.0Awa Odori 2026 (Aug 12–15, Tokushima): grandstand seat prices, the 2026 on-sale dates, how to buy via Ticket Pia, and how to get there.
Wed, Aug 12, 2026 18:00 JST Across JapanReserved grandstand ¥1,000 (C) – ¥3,000 (S); Minami-uchimachi SS ¥6,000 / Special ¥15,000
OfficialPast event© Rosino · CC BY-SA 2.0Japan's most famous dance festival: 100,000 dancers and a million spectators fill Tokushima with rhythm every August.
Wed, Aug 12, 2026 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© KASEI · CC BY-SA 3.0Tottori's Guinness-record umbrella dance returns Aug 13–14, 2026 for its 62nd edition — free to watch along the city-center parade route.
Thu, Aug 13, 2026 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Marho · CC BY-SA 4.0Gujo Odori 2026's all-night Tetsuya Odori runs over Obon, Aug 13-16, from 8 pm to 4-5 am. The stage is the old castle town of Gujo-Hachiman in Gifu, about a 20-min walk from Gujo-Hachiman Station. Verified dates, venue and access for first-timers.
Thu, Aug 13, 2026 20:00 JSTFree
OfficialPast event© Zairon · CC BY 4.0Three thousand bronze and stone lanterns are lit across ancient Kasuga Taisha, filling the shrine's forest paths with a soft golden glow.
Fri, Aug 14, 2026 19:00 JST NaraSmall fee to enter the inner lantern corridors
OfficialPast event© LuxTonnerre · CC BY 2.0Tokyo's blockbuster urban festival packs international pop, rock and electronic stars into a stadium-and-convention-hall mega-event by the bay.
Sat, Aug 15, 2026 10:00 JST Tokyo1-day ticket approx. ¥20,000
OfficialPast event© Taichi · CC BY-SA 3.0The world's largest fan convention: hundreds of thousands gather at Tokyo Big Sight to buy doujinshi and cosplay.
Sat, Aug 15, 2026 10:30 JST TokyoWristband entry: ¥1,210 for morning entry (from 10:30) or ¥440 in advance / ¥1,000 same-day for afternoon entry (from 12:30). Lottery-only Early Entry (¥5,385) and cosplay changing-room priority (¥3,385) tickets are sold via TicketPay.
OfficialPast event© Degueulasse · CC BY-SA 3.0Todaiji admission is ¥800 adult / ¥400 child; hours run 7:30–17:30 Apr–Oct (8:00–17:00 Nov–Mar, as of July 2026). This page also covers the Aug 15, 2026 Manto Kuyoe evening, when thousands of lanterns light the Great Buddha Hall and the Kannomado window opens so the Buddha's face is visible from outside.
Sat, Aug 15, 2026 19:00 JST NaraThe Manto Kuyoe evening service itself is a religious observance and is generally viewed from the precinct; on ordinary days, Daibutsuden admission is ¥800 adult / ¥400 child, or a joint Daibutsuden + Todaiji Museum pass ¥1,200 adult / ¥600 child (as of July 2026). Confirm any special-evening entry arrangements on the official site.
OfficialPast event© Cobalt Fox · Public DomainAround 40,000 fireworks erupt over Lake Suwa, their booms echoing off the surrounding mountains in one of central Japan's most spectacular summer displays.
Sat, Aug 15, 2026 19:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© American Art Association;
Millet, Francis Davis, 1846-1912 · No restrictionsOne of Edo's three great festivals returns to its full triennial form in 2026, with 50+ mikoshi paraded as spectators drench bearers in purifying water.
Sun, Aug 16, 2026 07:30 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General · CC BY 4.0Thousands of memorial lanterns drift down the Oi River below Arashiyama as the 'Torii-gata' bonfire of the Gozan Okuribi blazes on the hillside above.
Sun, Aug 16, 2026 19:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialPast event© 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 4.0Masked dancers in black hikosa-zukin hoods and deep amigasa hats sway through torchlit streets at one of Japan's three great Bon Odori, 700+ years old.
Sun, Aug 16, 2026 19:30 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© MIKI Yoshihito from Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan · CC BY 2.0A thousand women dance through summer night with golden paper lanterns glowing on their heads — Kumamoto's most ethereal festival.
Sun, Aug 16, 2026 20:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© ja:User:Kyoto-u · CC BY 2.5Giant kanji and shapes blaze on five mountains around Kyoto to send ancestral spirits home at the close of Obon.
Sun, Aug 16, 2026 20:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialPast event© Marco Tambara · CC BY-SA 3.0World-famous taiko ensemble Kodo hosts a three-day island arts festival with thunderous harbour-side concerts under the stars.
Fri, Aug 21, 2026 17:00 JST Across JapanHarbour Concert tickets approx. ¥5,000–7,000 each; fringe events free
OfficialPast event© Akinori Takemoto · CC BY-SA 4.0Scheduled for Saturday, Aug 22, 2026 on the Karasugawa riverbed upstream of Wada Bridge — that date has now passed. A record of the fast, dense fireworks night on the first day of the Takasaki Matsuri, with roughly 15,000 shells in under an hour.
Sat, Aug 22, 2026 19:30 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictionsOne of Japan's biggest tropical-fish and aquatic-life markets fills an Asakusa hall with around 200 specialist booths.
Sun, Aug 23, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoPaid admission (check the official site for the current ticket price).
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0COMITIA 157 was held on Sunday 23 August 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight and has ended. The next edition is **COMITIA 158 on Sunday 13 December 2026, in Tokyo Big Sight East Halls 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8**. After that, 159 falls on 14 March 2027 and 160 on 23 May 2027.
Sun, Aug 23, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoThe catalog (Tia's Magazine 157) is your entry pass: ¥1,400 in bookshops in advance, ¥1,500 at the venue. Free for under-12s, and free entry for everyone after 15:00. (Organiser's figures, as of 16 August 2026.)
OfficialPast event© Katsutoshi Misawa (克年 三沢) · CC BY 2.0Held Aug 24–26, 2026 in Shinjo, Yamagata — now ended. A record of the 260-plus-year-old UNESCO-listed float festival, where 20 towering yatai floats, hand-built every year and dressed as scenes from kabuki and legend, paraded the streets.
Mon, Aug 24, 2026 15:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Marc Antomattei · CC BY-SA 4.0A rapid-fire summer fireworks night lights up Minato Mirai 21 over Rinko Park and the Yokohama waterfront.
Mon, Aug 24, 2026 18:30 JST YokohamaFree
OfficialPast event© Sakaori (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0To mark the close of Mt. Fuji's climbing season, around seventy three-meter torches blaze along the streets of Fujiyoshida — counted among Japan's three most unusual festivals.
Wed, Aug 26, 2026 15:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Kyu3 · CC BY-SA 4.0Nagoya's huge late-summer dance festival fills the city center with hundreds of energetic teams in a riot of color and choreography.
Fri, Aug 28, 2026 11:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialPast event© Tet · CC BY 4.0Okinawa's biggest eisa festival, where drum troupes from across the islands perform thunderous traditional dance under summer skies.
Fri, Aug 28, 2026 15:00 JST OkinawaFree
OfficialPast event© Prosperosity · CC BY-SA 3.0Noboribetsu's hot-spring Hell Festival returns Aug 29-30, 2026: a giant demon float, the 1-ton Oni Mikoshi, mass demon-dancing and fireworks -- free to attend.
Sat, Aug 29, 2026 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Degueulasse · CC BY-SA 3.0Held on Aug 29–30, 2026 at Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha and along Sanjo-dori — now ended. A record of Nara's energetic summer dance festival, where vivid street-dance teams paraded through the city.
Sat, Aug 29, 2026 11:00 JST NaraFree
OfficialPast event© Frankie Fouganthin · CC BY-SA 4.0Held Saturday, Aug 29, 2026 from 13:00 along Umamichi-dori to Kaminarimon-dori in Asakusa — the 41st edition has ended. The 2027 date is not yet announced. A record of Tokyo's biggest samba parade.
Sat, Aug 29, 2026 13:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Marufish from Alor Setar, Malaysia · CC BY-SA 2.0Tokyo's own Awa dance takes over Koenji's backstreets as 10,000-plus dancers in 'ren' troupes whirl through the summer night.
Sat, Aug 29, 2026 17:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Drivephotographer · CC0Japan's most prestigious pyrotechnic competition, where the nation's top fireworks artisans battle for the Prime Minister's Award.
Sat, Aug 29, 2026 17:10 JST Across JapanReserved seating required for prime spots (paid); riverbank viewing free
OfficialPast event© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0Japan's only major summer full marathon starts and finishes at Odori Park, using stretches of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic route.
Sun, Aug 30, 2026 08:30 JST SapporoSpectating free; runner entry opens in late March 2026.
OfficialPast event© さかおり · CC BY-SA 4.0By lantern light, faceless dancers in straw hats move with hushed grace to mournful kokyu strings through old Yatsuo's stone lanes.
Tue, Sep 1, 2026 17:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Chainwit. · CC BY-SA 4.0Japan's oldest kabuki theatre in Kyoto stages a modern crossover, fusing the world of kabuki with the famous anime master-thief Lupin III. A playful, fast-paced gateway into the art form, with English audio guides available.
Wed, Sep 2, 2026 11:00 JST KyotoTickets vary by seat class; check the official site. English audio guide available for rental.
OfficialPast event© Licht Philharmonic Project · © Midori Komai Orchestra Project (official promotional photo, used with permission)Held on Saturday, September 5, 2026 (starting 15:00) at Kyowa Wing Hakuba Cultural Hall in Nagano — now ended. A record of pioneering woman conductor Midori Komai’s farewell concert with the one-time-only Hakuba Philharmonic Orchestra, with a program announced around Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Advance tickets were ¥4,500 (junior/senior-high ¥2,000; elementary-age and under free). The organizer says concert archives will be released successively (notice of Sep 6, 2026).
Sat, Sep 5, 2026 15:00 JST Across JapanAdvance ¥4,500 / same-day ¥5,000. Nagano residents ¥3,500; junior- and senior-high students ¥2,000; elementary-age and younger free (a free seat ticket is required if the child uses a seat). Post-event archive streaming is also sold on teket (as of 2026-07-21; confirm current details before buying).
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0A quirky Tokyo street festival born from a comic rakugo tale, where charcoal-grilled Pacific saury is served with sudachi citrus to long, happy queues.
Sun, Sep 6, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© 掬茶 (Kikucha) · CC BY-SA 4.0Every September 7-9, the samurai town of Kakunodate fills with towering yama floats carrying warrior dolls by day; after dark comes the yamabuttsuke, when two floats that refuse to yield are rammed together in a thunderous, adrenaline-charged test of nerve.
Mon, Sep 7, 2026 09:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0Sapporo Autumn Fest 2026 ran Sep 11–Oct 3 in Odori Park and has ended. Check the official site for the 2027 dates.
Fri, Sep 11, 2026 10:00 JST SapporoFree
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Japan's Munich-recognised Oktoberfest brings genuine German breweries, Bavarian food and oompah bands to Shiba Park beneath Tokyo Tower.
Fri, Sep 11, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoPaid: entry plus a refundable glass deposit; food and beer charged on site.
OfficialPast event© Cobalt Fox · Public DomainThe birthplace of the giant 'sanshakudama', this Niigata shrine festival fires the world's largest fireworks shell — a four-shaku, 800kg behemoth.
Fri, Sep 11, 2026 19:30 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Shizhao · CC BY-SA 2.5Held on Sep 12–13, 2026 at Nihon-odori, Yokohama — now ended. A record of the free bayfront festival of pho and banh mi stalls, ao dai try-ons and water-puppet theatre, with venue and access.
Sat, Sep 12, 2026 10:00 JST YokohamaFree
OfficialPast event© そらみみ (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0Hojoya runs 12-18 September 2026 - seven days and seven nights at Hakozakigu Shrine in Fukuoka, with several hundred stalls along the approach and around a million visitors. Free to enter.
Sat, Sep 12, 2026 10:00 JST FukuokaFree
OfficialPast event© hildgrim · CC BY-SA 2.0Held Sep 12-13 and 19-20, 2026 at Soga Sports Park in Chiba, now ended. Sep 21 was cancelled as Typhoon No. 25 approached. Every day and ticket type sold out.
Sat, Sep 12, 2026 11:45 JST Tokyo1-day ¥16,000 / 5-day pass ¥55,000
OfficialPast event© N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0The city's foreigner-friendly hub runs welcome events, language exchange salons, homestay visits and 'warm fellowship' gatherings where locals and internationals mingle.
Sat, Sep 12, 2026 13:00 JST FukuokaFree
OfficialPast event© Steve Cadman · CC BY-SA 2.0Aki Basho 2026 ran Sep 13–27 at Ryogoku Kokugikan and is over: yokozuna Onosato won his 6th title at 12–3, beating ozeki Aonishiki on the final day. The next tournament is the November Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka.
Sun, Sep 13, 2026 08:30 JST TokyoTickets required. Arena chair seats start from around ¥3,000; traditional box (masu) seats and ringside cost more. Purchase through the official Japan Sumo Association site.
OfficialPast event© ELLusKa 86 · Public domainDisney Halloween 2026 is on at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea through Saturday, October 31. The second full-costume window is October 16–31, there's no changing space inside the parks, and here are the costume rules and ticket basics, checked October 14, 2026.
Wed, Sep 16, 2026 09:00 JST TokyoRequires a date-specific park ticket (variable pricing; check the price for your date on the official site). The Halloween parade and decorations are included with regular admission.
OfficialPast event© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0Kitakyushu's biggest summer festival sends massive 'Wasshoi' dance parades and mikoshi through Kokura, capped by fireworks.
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 09:00 JST FukuokaFree
OfficialPast event© Kounosu · CC BY-SA 3.0Teams haul massive wooden festival floats at full sprint through Kishiwada's streets in one of Japan's most thrilling matsuri.
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 06:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialPast event© Umako · Public domainSome 600 people parade in full samurai costume through Aizuwakamatsu in a 'Lord's Procession' honouring the clan that made a famous last stand in Japan's last civil war.
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© inf_supTJ · Public domainAsia's biggest video-game expo celebrates its 30th edition with hands-on demos, cosplay and a record five-day run at Makuhari Messe.
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoPublic-day ticket approx. ¥2,000–3,000 (advance)
OfficialPast event© RuinDig/Yuki Uchida · CC BY 4.0Asia's biggest gaming expo at Makuhari Messe, with hands-on demos of upcoming titles, cosplay and the latest hardware.
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoPublic-day tickets sold in advance; business days are trade-only
OfficialPast event© Jovandavid · Public DomainKanazawa Jazz Street 2026 runs 19-21 September, with a reception live on the 18th: 200-plus mostly free street sets across about 20 spots in central Kanazawa, plus ticketed special concerts.
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 11:00 JST KanazawaFree street performances; paid special concerts vary.
OfficialPast event© ヒタチギ · CC BY-SA 4.0Held on Sep 19, 2026 around Kashiwa Station — now ended (200,000 visitors per Kashiwa City). Sep 20 was cancelled as a typhoon approached. A record of Kashiwa City's biggest festival in its first year after moving from summer to September because of extreme heat.
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 13:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Martin Lewison · CC BY-SA 2.0Ultra Japan 2026 was held September 19–20 at Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park. Ultra Japan 2027 is confirmed for September 18–19, 2027, same venue.
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 14:00 JST Tokyo2-day pass approx. ¥30,000
OfficialPast event© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0The Sept 20, 2026 procession of Kumamoto's Fujisaki Hachimangu grand festival (Boshita Matsuri) and decorated horses were cancelled after the July 28 earthquake. Shrine rites began Sept 13. 2027 dates are not announced (checked 2026-10-14).
Sun, Sep 20, 2026 06:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© DimiTalen · CC0A biennial festival in the ancient capital, founded under Cannes-winning director Naomi Kawase, championing first- and second-time filmmakers across screenings set among Nara's temples and parks.
Sun, Sep 20, 2026 10:00 JST NaraScreening tickets typically around 1,000-1,500 yen; some free outdoor and community programs.
OfficialPast event© Vassil · CC0The Sep 20–21, 2026 dates at Tokyo Big Sight East Halls have passed. A record of Japan's biggest reptile and exotic-animal expo, where geckos, snakes, frogs and their breeders gather.
Sun, Sep 20, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoAdults ¥1,400 advance / ¥1,600 door; elementary ¥700 advance / ¥800 door; preschoolers free.
OfficialPast event© Judgefloro · CC BY-SA 4.0Pet Haku Osaka 2026 runs Sep 21-23 at Intex Osaka. Ticket prices (advance vs door) and the exact rules for bringing your own pet, explained.
Mon, Sep 21, 2026 10:00 JST OsakaAdults (junior-high+) ¥1,300 advance / ¥1,500 door; children (age 4-elementary) ¥700 advance / ¥800 door.
OfficialPast event© Nesnad · CC BY 4.0Japan's largest Indian festival fills Yoyogi Park with curry stalls, chai, sari shops, Bollywood dance and classical music — a two-day plunge into India in the heart of Tokyo.
Sat, Sep 26, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© tenaciousme from Toronto, Canada · CC BY 2.0The beachside successor to TAICOCLUB — a genre-spanning electronic festival in front of Izu's Shirahama Beach.
Sat, Sep 26, 2026 11:00 JST Across JapanTickets ¥16,000–22,000; Under-23 ¥13,000 (accommodation separate)
OfficialPast event© 663highland · CC BY 2.5Matsue's castle and canals glow with lanterns every weekend from Sept 26-Oct 18, 2026, 18:00-21:00 -- a quiet, romantic alternative to Japan's big-city illuminations.
Sat, Sep 26, 2026 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0Around 100 fishing boats escort three deities' mikoshi across the sea at this World Heritage shrine's grand autumn festival.
Thu, Oct 1, 2026 09:00 JST FukuokaFree
OfficialPast event© Ben P L from Provo, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0The Ueno Park edition of the free Caribbean-Latin street fair — Latin food, mojitos, salsa and reggae beside the fountain plaza in one of Tokyo's most famous parks.
Sat, Oct 3, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Nihonmatsuri · CC BY 4.0Seven towering floats, each carrying 300+ glowing red lanterns, parade through Fukushima nights to the beat of taiko in one of Japan's three great lantern festivals.
Sat, Oct 3, 2026 18:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Marine-Blue · CC BY-SA 3.0A 380-year-old shrine festival blending Japanese, Chinese and Dutch flair — spinning dragon dances, whirling umbrella floats and roaring 'Motte-koi' chants.
Wed, Oct 7, 2026 07:00 JST FukuokaFree
OfficialPast event© 663highland · CC BY-SA 3.0Held Oct 8–10, 2026 at Lake Akan, Hokkaido — now ended. The free-to-watch festival, held every year since 1950, is known for kamuinomi prayers by Ainu people from across Hokkaido, a torchlit parade and a rite returning the marimo — a Special Natural Monument — to the lake by dugout canoe.
Thu, Oct 8, 2026 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Henxter · CC BY-SA 4.0UNESCO-listed Belgian beer culture lands in front of Kyoto's Higashi-Honganji temple — dozens of imported brews, frites, waffles and live music in an open-air city festival.
Thu, Oct 8, 2026 12:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialPast event© z tanuki · CC BY 3.0Eleven gilded Edo-era floats parade through old Takayama by day, then glow with 100+ lanterns at dusk in one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals.
Fri, Oct 9, 2026 09:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialPast event© katorisi · CC BY 3.0Fourteen giant wooden floats, each topped by a towering doll of a legendary hero, are hauled through the canal-side 'Little Edo' streets of Sawara to lilting Sawara-bayashi music every autumn - October 9-11 in 2026 - in one of the Kanto region's three great float festivals, just a day-trip from Tokyo.
Fri, Oct 9, 2026 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Kanchi1979 · CC BY-SA 4.0Konpira-san's biggest festival (Oct 9-11, 2026): once a year the mountain deity 'comes down' -- a ~600-strong procession carries the mikoshi 2km through Kotohira by torchlight.
Fri, Oct 9, 2026 16:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictionsSome 33,000 round kochia bushes turn Miharashi Hill a blazing crimson each October, a fluffy red carpet rolling toward the Pacific Ocean.
Sat, Oct 10, 2026 09:30 JST Across JapanAdults (high-school+) from ¥450; price rises during peak kochia season
OfficialPast event© Jason M. C., Han · CC BY-SA 4.0World Festa Yokohama is a free food-and-culture fair at Yamashita Park - 50-plus world-cuisine stalls and stage acts. Yokohama listings put 2026 on 10-11 October; the organiser had not posted dates as of 4 Sep 2026.
Sat, Oct 10, 2026 10:00 JST YokohamaFree
OfficialPast event© OS6 · CC BY-SA 3.0Saijo Sake Festival 2026 runs October 10–11 in Hiroshima's sake capital — Japan's largest sake-tasting event. Confirmed dates, 2025 reference ticket price, and access below.
Sat, Oct 10, 2026 10:00 JST HiroshimaFestival free to enter; the 'Sake Plaza' tasting pass is paid
OfficialPast event© photo: Qurren (talk) Taken with Canon PowerShot G9 X · CC BY-SA 3.0One of the world's most respected boutique raves — a Funktion-One sound system in the Gunma mountains, lineup kept secret.
Sat, Oct 10, 2026 12:00 JST Across Japan~¥23,000 (Under-28) to ¥29,000; includes camping
OfficialPast event© Okimoto · Public DomainJoin thousands pulling the world's largest straw rope through Naha in this Guinness-record Okinawan autumn festival.
Sun, Oct 11, 2026 11:00 JST OkinawaFree
OfficialPast event© Yuet Man Lee · CC BY-SA 4.0Tens of thousands grab a Guinness-record 200m rope and heave for 30 minutes in the middle of Naha's main road — Okinawa's most thunderous autumn spectacle.
Sun, Oct 11, 2026 14:30 JST OkinawaFree
OfficialPast event© Comyu · CC BY-SA 3.0Japan's premier tech expo, where AI, robotics, mobility and IoT from hundreds of companies and startups go hands-on under one roof.
Tue, Oct 13, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0Three portable shrines are violently crashed together as seven ornate floats clash in Japan's most famous 'fighting festival.'
Wed, Oct 14, 2026 10:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0Fifty-four golden, 5.5-metre taiko-dai floats are hoisted by 150-strong crews in one of Shikoku's three great festivals.
Fri, Oct 16, 2026 08:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© Subramaniam K V · CC BY 3.0Walk ancient moss-covered pilgrimage paths through the forested Kii Mountains to sacred Kumano shrines, a UNESCO World Heritage route.
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 08:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© KQuhen · CC BY-SA 4.0Tacos, jerk chicken and mojitos meet salsa and reggae rhythms — a free, sun-soaked open-air fair celebrating Caribbean and Latin American culture along Yoyogi Park's avenue.
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© 三塚 · CC BY-SA 4.0In Tokyo's 'Little Edo', towering tiered floats with revolving dolls roll past kurazukuri warehouses and clash in 'Hikkawase' flute-and-drum face-offs.
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Raita Futo · CC BY 2.0ELLEGARDEN, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, and Sambomaster headline a headland-side music festival on Miyako Island, Okinawa on October 17, 2026.
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 11:00 JST OkinawaAdvance ¥9,000 / Door ¥10,000 (day-of sales only if not sold out) / Miyako Island resident student ticket ¥4,000 / children under elementary-school age free (up to 3 per guardian)
OfficialPast event© Lance Cpl. David Hersey · Public domainJapan's biggest analog-game fair, where thousands of indie board, card and tabletop creators sell and demo their games over one weekend.
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 11:00 JST TokyoAround ¥1,500 advance / ¥2,000 same-day (2026 reference; autumn fees TBA); elementary schoolers and younger free.
OfficialPast event© Base64 · CC BY-SA 3.0The 72nd Nagoya Festival is on Oct 17 (Sat) and 18 (Sun), 2026, centered on Hisaya-odori Park, free. There is no Three Heroes parade in 2026; the parade floats, karakuri puppets and kagura are shown in the park instead. Checked 2026-10-14.
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 11:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialPast event© Christophe Robin · CC BY-SA 2.0The hairpin Irohazaka road climbs through a moving gradient of red and gold to Lake Chuzenji, where the 97-m Kegon Falls plunges past blazing maples.
Sun, Oct 18, 2026 08:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Corpse Reviver · CC BY-SA 3.0Jidai Matsuri 2026 is Thursday, October 22: about 2,000 people in period costume leave the Kyoto Imperial Palace at noon and reach Heian Jingu around 14:30. Free from the roadside; paid seats from ¥5,000. Rain date: Oct 23.
Thu, Oct 22, 2026 12:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialPast event© ja:User:Si-take. · CC BY-SA 3.0Thursday, October 22, 2026: torches are lit at 6pm and the festival runs past midnight around Yuki Shrine in Kurama village. Free to watch. Cars are barred from 3pm, so take the Eizan Railway — the last train back from Kurama leaves at 23:24 (checked 2026-10-13).
Thu, Oct 22, 2026 18:00 JST KyotoFree
OfficialPast event© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0Hakata Okunchi 2026 (Oct 23–24) is Kushida Shrine's free autumn festival in Fukuoka — a 1,200-year harvest rite, famous for the Oct 24 ox-cart procession. Dates, schedule, access.
Fri, Oct 23, 2026 10:00 JST FukuokaFree
OfficialPast event© トンテン (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0Imari Tonten-ton Festival 2026 runs Fri Oct 23 to Sun Oct 25 in central Imari, Saga. The finale river plunge is scheduled for 5:32pm on Oct 25 (official route map). Free to watch; checked 2026-10-13.
Fri, Oct 23, 2026 17:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialPast event© zannaland · CC BY-SA 2.0A laid-back eco-minded community fair in Yoyogi Park — organic food, world music, crafts and a mellow forest atmosphere that draws Tokyo's international and creative crowd.
Sat, Oct 24, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© EllieBellie25 · CC BY-SA 4.0Hiroshima's biggest autumn food fair fills the grounds of Hiroshima Castle with okonomiyaki, oysters, lemons and gourmet stalls from every corner of the prefecture.
Sat, Oct 24, 2026 10:00 JST HiroshimaFree
OfficialPast event© Marc Antomattei · CC BY-SA 4.0Yokohama Marathon 2026 is on Sunday 25 October: the full marathon starts at 8:30 in front of Landmark Tower and finishes at Pacifico Yokohama Waterfront Park, closing at 15:00. Entry has closed.
Sun, Oct 25, 2026 08:30 JST YokohamaEntry fees (entry closed): full marathon ¥18,500, pair relay ¥32,000 per team, Wangan Highway Run ¥16,000, Minato Mirai 7km Run ¥7,000, Enjoy Run ¥4,500 (family ¥7,000 per pair), plus a handling fee. Spectating is free.
OfficialPast event© Solomon203 · CC BY-SA 4.0Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2026 runs Oct 30–Nov 1: 18+ Ikehalo Night on Friday evening, then 10 AM–6 PM on Oct 31 and Nov 1. Watching is free; cosplay or photo tickets from ¥2,980/day.
Fri, Oct 30, 2026 16:30 JST TokyoWatching only: free, no ticket. Cosplay or photographer tickets: Standard ¥2,980/day advance (¥3,480 same day), Premium ¥3,980/day, Premium 3DAYS ¥10,000, Ikehalo Night ¥3,480, junior/senior-high photographer ¥1,480/day, Kids (elementary and under) ¥500 on the day
OfficialPast event© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0Kanda Curry Grand Prix 2026 (the 14th final) runs Saturday Oct 31 and Sunday Nov 1, 2026 at Ogawa Hiroba, Kanda, Tokyo. The organizer's official site now lists the venue, curry hours (Oct 31 11:00–19:00, Nov 1 11:00–17:00) and the voting deadline (Nov 1, 16:00), still marked 開催予定 (planned) — checked 13 September 2026. Free entry; curry sold per dish. Shop list not yet announced.
Sat, Oct 31, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Nicolas1981 · CC BY-SA 3.0Roppongi Art Night 2026 runs all night from 17:00 on Oct 31 to 6:00 on Nov 1 — the first all-nighter in three years. Free entry (some programs paid) across Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown and the National Art Center; RAN Focus features France (checked 2026-10-14).
Sat, Oct 31, 2026 10:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Benh LIEU SONG · CC BY-SA 2.0Shibuya City announced its 2026 Halloween measures at a September 30 press conference (verified 2026-10-11). The slogan is "GOODBYE BAD HALLOWEEN". The Hachiko statue will be fenced off Oct 30–Nov 1, 62 alcohol retailers in and around the no-street-drinking zone are asked to suspend sales from 6:00 PM Oct 31 to 5:00 AM Nov 1, and about 185 security guards plus about 70 ward staff will be deployed. Tokyo police plan traffic restrictions around Shibuya Station from the evening of Oct 30 to the early morning of Nov 1. The permanent 6:00 PM–5:00 AM public-drinking ban (in force since Oct 1, 2024) applies as usual.
Sat, Oct 31, 2026 18:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialPast event© Dariusz Jemielniak · CC BY-SA 3.0Onomichi's Betcha Matsuri 2026 runs November 1–3. The demon parade is on November 3 (a national holiday): it leaves the Otabisho (the mikoshi's resting place) in the morning and returns to Ichinomiya (Kibitsuhiko) Shrine around 18:30 (checked 2026-10-13). Free to watch.
Sun, Nov 1, 2026 09:00 JST HiroshimaFree