Events & Festivals in Japan 2027

Izu Shaboten Zoo Capybara Onsen 2026-27: Dates & Bath Times

The 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.

Exhibitions & Expos

Jump Festa 2027

Shueisha'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

Festivals

Imamiya Ebisu Toka Ebisu 2027

Around 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

Seasonal

Atami Plum Garden Festival (Atami Bairin)

Famous 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).

Sports

Grand Sumo Hatsu Basho 2027 (Tokyo) | Dates, Venue & Tickets

**The Grand Sumo Hatsu Basho 2027 runs January 10–24, 2027 at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo** — the New Year tournament that opens the sumo calendar. It runs 15 straight days (Sun→Sun); **tickets are required** (buy via the official English site). Arrive by ~14:00–15:00 for the top-division bouts, which always finish by ~18:00.

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.

Exhibitions & Expos

Tokyo Auto Salon 2027

Japan's wildest custom-car show, where 300,000 fans crowd in for tuned machines, concept builds and motorsport glamour.

Fri, Jan 15, 2027 09:00 JST TokyoAdvance digital ticket only, around ¥3,000 (weekend day); preschoolers free with an adult.

Festivals

Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival 2027

One of Japan's three great fire festivals: villagers defend a giant wooden shrine with blazing torches as attackers try to set it alight in a wild snowbound battle.

Fri, Jan 15, 2027 19:00 JST Across JapanFree

Outdoor

Ito Orange Beach Marathon 2027 — Sun 17 Jan, 2 km / 5 km / 10 km along the Izu coast

A 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.

Festivals

Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival 2027: 23 Jan–7 Mar (52nd)

The 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).

Food & Drink

Ito Onsen Mechakucha Market 2027 — 23–24 Jan, bargain dried fish and Izu produce by the Matsukawa river

Ito'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

Seasonal

Kobe Luminarie 2027 | Dates, Venue & Tickets

Kobe 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

Festivals

Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival 2027: 30 Jan–23 Feb, Fees

The 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)

Festivals

Yoshida Shrine Setsubun Festival 2027

Kyoto'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

Festivals

Naritasan Setsubun-e 2027

Sumo 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

Seasonal

Sapporo Snow Festival 2027: Dates, the Three Sites & How to Get There

Sapporo 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

Seasonal

Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2027 Official Dates: Feb 5–21

Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2027's official dates: Feb 5–21 (17 days), free to view. ~15,000 red Chinese lanterns and giant zodiac lantern objects light central Nagasaki nightly from 17:00–22:00, with a daily dragon dance and parades.

Fri, Feb 5, 2027 17:00 JST Across JapanFree

Seasonal

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival 2027

The 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

Festivals

Asahikawa Winter Festival 2027: 6–11 February (68th)

The 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

Seasonal

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival 2027

Dates 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

International Exchange

One World Festival

Western 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

Exhibitions & Expos

Wonder Festival 2027 [Winter]

The 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.

Festivals

Yokote Kamakura Festival 2027: 12–13 February

Hundreds 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

Festivals

Namahage Sedo Festival 2027: 12–14 Feb, Shinzan Shrine

Demon-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

Seasonal

Mito Plum Blossom Festival (Kairakuen)

Roughly 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 JapanInner garden ~¥300 for non-residents; festival grounds largely free.

Festivals

Mount Omuro Yamayaki 2027 — Sun 14 Feb (planned): the 700-year-old burning of Izu Kogen's grass volcano

Every 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

Festivals

Hachinohe Enburi 2027: 17–20 February Schedule

Every 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

Festivals

All-Japan Pillow Fight Championship in Ito Onsen 2027 — 20–21 Feb (planned), official rules, team format and entry fee

Ito'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.

Festivals

Saidaiji Eyo (Naked Festival)

Thousands 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

Sports

Kyoto Marathon 2027

Kyoto 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.)

Sports

Osaka Marathon 2027: Sun Feb 28 — Entry, Lottery & Race-Day Guide

Osaka 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.)

Seasonal

Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival / Girls' Day)

On 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

Sports

Tokyo Marathon 2027 — Dates, Lottery Window & Entry Fee

Tokyo Marathon 2027 runs March 7: entry fee, the Aug 14–28 lottery window, the course, and how overseas runners enter via lottery, charity, or tour packages.

Sun, Mar 7, 2027 09:10 JST TokyoFree

Exhibitions & Expos

Art Fair Tokyo 2027

Japan'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.

Sports

Grand Sumo Haru Basho 2027 (Osaka) | Dates, Venue & Tickets

**The 2027 Grand Sumo Haru Basho (Spring Tournament) runs March 14–28, 2027 at EDION Arena Osaka (Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium), about a 5-minute walk from Namba.** It is the only one of the six annual tournaments held in Osaka — 15 straight days of top-division sumo, Sunday to Sunday.

Sun, Mar 14, 2027 08:30 JST OsakaApproximate 2026 prices; 2027 prices are released with each tournament — confirm on sumo.or.jp (as of July 2026). Rough per-person ranges: ringside tamari-seki around ¥20,000; masu-seki tatami boxes around ¥9,000–15,000 by tier and day; Western chair seats from about ¥3,500 (tier C, weekday) up to ¥11,000+ (SS). A limited number of same-day chair seats (tojitsu-ken) are sold at the box office each morning, first-come, if seats remain.

Sports

Nagoya Women's Marathon 2027

The world's largest women-only marathon, where every finisher is handed a Baccarat crystal tumbler by a tuxedoed attendant at the Nagoya Dome.

Sun, Mar 14, 2027 09:10 JST NagoyaPaid, lottery entry (spectating is free).

Seasonal

Chidorigafuchi Cherry Blossoms

A 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

Sports

Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix 2027 (Suzuka)

F1 returns to legendary Suzuka — the figure-eight circuit drivers and fans rate among the greatest in the world.

Fri, Mar 26, 2027 09:00 JST NagoyaThree-day tickets vary by grandstand; general admission is the most affordable

Seasonal

Himeji Castle Cherry Blossoms

Over 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

Seasonal

Mount Yoshino Cherry Blossoms (Yoshinoyama)

Around 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

Exhibitions & Expos

AnimeJapan 2027 (Osaka)

The 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.

Festivals

Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival 2027

Japan'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

Festivals

Shingen-ko Festival 2027: April 2027, Dates Still To Be Announced

The 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

Festivals

Inuyama Festival 2027 (Inuyama Castle Town, Aichi)

Dates 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

Nightlife

GMO SONIC 2027

A 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

Seasonal

Ryukyu Kaiensai Fireworks Festival 2027

One 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.

Festivals

Takayama Spring Festival (Sanno Matsuri)

Twelve 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

Food & Drink

Craft Sake Week at Roppongi Hills 2027

Founded 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.

International Exchange

Earth Day Tokyo 2027

Tokyo'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

Arts & Culture

KYOTOGRAPHIE 2027: Dates, Venues & Passport Tickets

KYOTOGRAPHIE 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.

Festivals

Hida Furukawa Festival 2027

On 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

Seasonal

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival

Around 2,600 cherry trees encircle Hirosaki Castle's moats, famous for petal-carpeted 'flower rafts' and dazzling nighttime illuminations.

Fri, Apr 23, 2027 09:00 JST Across JapanFree

Nightlife

Rainbow Disco Club 2027

A 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)

Festivals

Seihakusai Dekayama Festival 2027 (Nanao)

Three 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

Festivals

Hamamatsu Matsuri 2027 (Kite Festival)

Giant 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

Festivals

Hakata Dontaku Port Festival

One 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

Sports

Grand Sumo May Tournament (Natsu Basho) 2027

The 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.

Festivals

Sanja Matsuri 2027

Sanja 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

Festivals

Kanda Matsuri 2027

One 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

Nightlife

STAR FESTIVAL 2027

A 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

Festivals

Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival)

A 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

Anime & Pop

Nipponbashi Street Festa 2027

Osaka'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

Festivals

Nikko Toshogu Spring Grand Festival 2027 (Thousand-Samurai Procession)

Nikko Toshogu's Spring Grand Festival returns May 17-18, 2027: yabusame archery and a 1,200-person samurai procession reenacting Ieyasu's journey to Nikko.

Mon, May 17, 2027 09:00 JST TokyoFree

Festivals

Mikuni Matsuri

One 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

Seasonal

Sapporo Lilac Festival 2027

Some 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

Exhibitions & Expos

BitSummit 2027 (Indie Game Expo)

Japan'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.

Festivals

Soma Nomaoi 2027

Hundreds 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.

Festivals

Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Matsuri 2027

Kanazawa'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

Festivals

Matsukawa Tub Race 2027 — Ito Onsen's summer washtub race, the 400 m course and how to enter (2027 date not yet announced)

Held 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

Sports

Grand Sumo Nagoya Basho 2027 (IG Arena)

The 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.

Festivals

Hachinohe Sansha Taisai 2027

For 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

Festivals

Anjin Matsuri 2027 — Ito's biggest summer festival and sea fireworks (usually 8–10 Aug; 2027 dates not yet announced)

Ito'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

Sports

Grand Sumo Autumn Tournament (Aki Basho) 2027

The 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.

Sports

Grand Sumo Kyushu Basho 2027 (Fukuoka Tournament)

**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.