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130 events on now, coming up or open year-round · Browse by interest · This weekend

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286 events
Ashikaga Flower Park: Flower Fantasy Winter IlluminationOfficialOn now© Miyuki Meinaka · CC BY-SA 4.0

Seasonal

Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination 2026-2027: Dates (Oct 17–Feb 14), Light-Up Time & Prices

Oct 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).

The New Wings of the Nara National Museum, venue of the annual Shosoin Exhibition, in Nara Park, Nara (photographed in November 2010 during the 62nd exhibition)OfficialOn now© Roman SUZUKI (via Panoramio) · CC BY 3.0

Arts & Culture

Shosoin Exhibition 2026 Nara — Oct 24–Nov 9 at Nara National Museum: Tickets, Hours

The 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).

Tokyo Tower and surrounding skyscrapers in Minato, TokyoOfficialThis weekend© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0

Seasonal

Sagamiko Illumillion 2026-2027: Dates (Nov 14–May 9), Lighting Hours & Prices

Nov 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).

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2026OfficialUpcoming© Kakidai · CC BY-SA 3.0

Seasonal

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2026: Nov 20–Dec 25, Hours & Tickets

The 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).

Night illumination of red autumn maple leaves at Eikando (Zenrinji) temple, KyotoOfficialUpcoming© Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0

Seasonal

Eikando Light-Up 2026: Nov 20 – Dec 6, Entry 5:30–8:30 pm, ¥1,000 (Same-Day Tickets Only)

Eikando'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)

A stall at the Hagoita-ichi battledore fair in the grounds of Senso-ji, displaying kabuki-figure oshie hagoita and Imado-ware beckoning cats (Asakusa, Tokyo; photographed before 2015)OfficialUpcoming© Marusime · CC BY-SA 4.0

Festivals

Hagoita-ichi 2026 at Senso-ji: Dec 17–19 (Thu–Sat), Asakusa's Battledore Fair

Senso-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).

Crowds outside Tokyo Big Sight during a winter Comiket (Comiket 83)OfficialUpcoming© Taichi · CC BY-SA 3.0

Anime & Pop

Comiket 109 (Winter 2026): Dec 29-31 at Tokyo Big Sight, Hours & Halls

Comiket 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.

Joya-no-Kane at Chion-in — Japan's Mightiest New Year BellOfficialUpcoming© Marianne North · Public domain

Arts & Culture

Chion-in Joya-no-Kane 2026: Booking, Times, Fee (¥3,000 in 2025), Trial Ringing

Chion-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.

The Omote-daimon gate of Nishinomiya Shrine, where the Fukuotoko run starts (photo 2008)OfficialUpcoming© KENPEI (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Festivals

Fukuotoko Erabi 2027: Jan 10, 6:00 a.m. Gate Dash at Nishinomiya Shrine, Lottery and Access

Fukuotoko 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.

Grand Sumo Tournament Tokyo (Hatsu Basho) 2027OfficialUpcoming© Creazilla · CC0

Sports

Grand Sumo Hatsu Basho 2027 Tokyo | Jan 10–24, Tickets on Sale Dec 5

Grand 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.

Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Fire Festival: the hatsutoro lanterns lit by the burning shrine (photo January 15, 2015)OfficialUpcoming© Hoboesque (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Festivals

Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival 2027: Friday, January 15 — Times, Who Can Watch, Access

Every 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).

A festival float lit with paper lanterns during the Yoiyama evening of Kyoto's Gion MatsuriOfficialUpcoming© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0

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).

Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (Shikotsuko Hyoto Matsuri) 2027OfficialUpcoming© Inlet Masu · CC BY-SA 3.0

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)

Mito Plum Blossom Festival (Kairakuen)OfficialUpcoming© Etwas Neues · CC BY-SA 3.0

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 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.

A collage of snow sculptures and venues at the Tokamachi Snow Festival (photos 2011)OfficialUpcoming© Nihongo1234 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Festivals

Tokamachi Snow Festival 2027: 19–21 February (78th Edition)

The 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.

Tokaikan and the Matsukawa in Ito Onsen, the hot-spring town that hosts the pillow fight championshipOfficialUpcoming© 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0

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.

Kumamoto Castle (photo 2009, before the 2016 earthquakes)OfficialUpcoming© 663highland (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.5

Sports

Kumamoto Castle Marathon 2027: Feb 21 Race, Lottery Results Oct 15

Kumamoto 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).

Vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine in KyotoOfficialUpcoming© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0

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.)

Dotonbori canal and Ebisu Bridge with neon signs in OsakaOfficialUpcoming© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0

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.)

Grand Sumo March Tournament (Haru Basho) 2027OfficialUpcoming© No machine-readable author provided. Peter 111 assumed (based on copyright claim · CC BY-SA 3.0

Sports

Grand Sumo Haru Basho 2027 (Osaka): Mar 14–28, Tickets Feb 6, New Prices

**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.

Vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine in KyotoOfficialUpcoming© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0

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.

Grand Sumo May Tournament (Natsu Basho) 2027OfficialUpcoming© Gregg Tavares · CC BY 2.0

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.

A suzume odori troupe dancing on Jozenji-dori at the Sendai Aoba Matsuri (photo 2007)OfficialUpcoming© countryroad (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Festivals

Sendai Aoba Festival 2027: May 15–16 Dates, Times, Reserved Seats & Access

The 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).

The Saio-dai's palanquin in the Aoi Matsuri procession (Kyoto, photo May 15, 2006)OfficialUpcoming© J o (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Festivals

Aoi Matsuri 2027: May 15 (Sat), Usual 10:30 Start - Procession Route, Times & Paid Seats

Aoi 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).

The Three Wise Monkeys carving at Nikko Toshogu ShrineOfficialUpcoming© Ray in Manila · CC BY 2.0

Festivals

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

Nikko 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

The Matsukawa promenade in Ito, alongside the tub race courseOfficialUpcoming© 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0

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

Grand Sumo Nagoya Basho 2027 (IG Arena)OfficialUpcoming© elmimmo · CC BY 2.0

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.

The Phoenix fireworks, a prayer for recovery, lighting up the sky above the Shinano River at the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks (Nagaoka, Niigata, photographed August 2011)OfficialUpcoming© Cp9asngf · CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Seasonal

Nagaoka Fireworks 2027: Mon Aug 2 & Tue Aug 3 - Ticket Lottery Dates & Hotels

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).

An illuminated large nebuta float at night during the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Aomori City (August 2006)OfficialUpcoming© Fisherman · CC BY-SA 3.0

Festivals

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri 2027: Aug 2 (Mon)–7 (Sat) Dates, Seats & Hotels

Aomori 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)

Awa Odori dancers in central Tokushima City (photographed 15 August 2008)OfficialUpcoming© Rosino · CC BY-SA 2.0

Festivals

Awa Odori 2027 (Tokushima): expected 11–15 August, grandstand tickets and 2026 prices

Awa 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.

Grand Sumo Autumn Tournament (Aki Basho) 2027OfficialUpcoming© Mila Lai · CC BY-SA 2.0

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.

Grand Sumo Kyushu Basho 2027 (Fukuoka Tournament)OfficialUpcoming© Hirho · CC BY-SA 4.0

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.

Wide 'Phoenix' fireworks shells lighting the night sky over the Shinano River at the Nagaoka FestivalOfficialPast event© Cp9asngf · CC BY-SA 3.0

Seasonal

Nagaoka Fireworks 2026: Reserved Seats Are Sold Out — the Official Resale Route (and What's Still Free)

Nagaoka'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

Todai-ji temple's Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) in NaraOfficialPast event© Degueulasse · CC BY-SA 3.0

Seasonal

Todaiji Opening Hours & Admission Fee 2026 | Nara

Todaiji 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.

Conductor Midori KomaiOfficialPast event© Licht Philharmonic Project · © Midori Komai Orchestra Project (official promotional photo, used with permission)

Arts & Culture

Midori Komai Farewell Concert 2026 in Hakuba — Held Sep 5 (Ended)

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).

Grand Sumo September Tournament (Aki Basho) 2026OfficialPast event© Steve Cadman · CC BY-SA 2.0

Sports

Aki Basho 2026 (September Grand Sumo Tournament): Dates & Result — Onosato Wins

Aki 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.

Shibuya Halloween 2026: Status, Rules & What's BannedOfficialPast event© Benh LIEU SONG · CC BY-SA 2.0

Seasonal

Shibuya Halloween 2026: Official Rules, Drinking Ban & Hachiko

Shibuya 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

Regular Noh Performance: Kyogen 'Oni-no-mamako' & Noh 'Morihisa'OfficialPast event© Yoshiyuki Ito · CC BY-SA 3.0

Arts & Culture

Regular Noh Performance: Kyogen 'Oni-no-mamako' & Noh 'Morihisa'

At 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).