OfficialOn nowUSJ'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.
2026/05/30 08:30 OsakaRequires a Studio Pass (1-day from around 8,600 yen); some Cool Japan attractions need a separate Express Pass.
© Momopy~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialOn nowHello 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.
2026/06/22 09:00 TokyoPassport tickets from around 3,300-4,000 yen (varies by date); cheaper online and on weekdays.
© Matryokeshi · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialOn nowThe 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.
2026/06/22 09:00 TokyoRequires a Tokyo DisneySea park ticket (1-day from around 7,900 yen, price varies by date).
© Cabeza2000 · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialOn nowAround 600,000 sunflowers blaze across the Yatsugatake foothills, lit up after dark for a glowing field beneath the night sky.
2026/07/25 09:00 Across JapanFree
© さかおり (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialOn nowPerformers balance towering bamboo poles strung with dozens of glowing lanterns on their palms, foreheads and shoulders.
2026/08/03 18:50 Across JapanFree
© hildgrim · CC BY-SA 2.0
OfficialOn nowOn summer nights, 20,000 candles flicker across Nara Park's historic grounds in a serene sea of gentle light.
2026/08/05 19:00 NaraFree
© かるちる · CC0
OfficialOn nowJapan's grandest star festival drapes Sendai's arcades in thousands of giant, handmade paper streamers.
2026/08/06 10:00 Across JapanFree
© Nesnad · CC BY 3.0
OfficialThis weekendAround 12,000 fireworks reflect off Japan's largest lake near Otsu in a 40th-anniversary show fused with drones and lasers.
2026/08/06 19:30 KyotoFree
© Lonely Planet Japan · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialThis weekendTen thousand fireworks burst over central Tokyo synced to a live concert lineup, a rare downtown display you can pair with a stadium seat.
2026/08/08 19:30 TokyoFree to glimpse from afar; the official stadium viewing-and-concert tickets are paid.
© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingThree thousand bronze and stone lanterns are lit across ancient Kasuga Taisha, filling the shrine's forest paths with a soft golden glow.
2026/08/14 19:00 NaraSmall fee to enter the inner lantern corridors
© Zairon · CC BY 4.0
OfficialUpcomingA Kenzo Tange landmark in Minato Mirai, freshly reopened after a three-year renovation, strong on modern art and Yokohama-rooted photography.
2026/08/15 10:00 YokohamaCollection admission modest; special exhibitions vary
© Ymblanter · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingAround 40,000 fireworks erupt over Lake Suwa, their booms echoing off the surrounding mountains in one of central Japan's most spectacular summer displays.
2026/08/15 19:00 Across JapanFree
© Cobalt Fox · Public Domain
OfficialUpcomingThousands of memorial lanterns drift down the Oi River below Arashiyama as the 'Torii-gata' bonfire of the Gozan Okuribi blazes on the hillside above.
2026/08/16 19:00 KyotoFree
© New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General · CC BY 4.0
OfficialUpcomingA thousand women dance through summer night with golden paper lanterns glowing on their heads — Kumamoto's most ethereal festival.
2026/08/16 20:00 Across JapanFree
© MIKI Yoshihito from Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingGiant kanji and shapes blaze on five mountains around Kyoto to send ancestral spirits home at the close of Obon.
2026/08/16 20:00 KyotoFree
© ja:User:Kyoto-u · CC BY 2.5
OfficialUpcomingA rapid-fire summer fireworks night lights up Minato Mirai 21 over Rinko Park and the Yokohama waterfront.
2026/08/24 18:30 YokohamaFree
© Marc Antomattei · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingJapan's most prestigious pyrotechnic competition, where the nation's top fireworks artisans battle for the Prime Minister's Award.
2026/08/29 17:10 Across JapanReserved seating required for prime spots (paid); riverbank viewing free
© Drivephotographer · CC0
OfficialUpcomingBy lantern light, faceless dancers in straw hats move with hushed grace to mournful kokyu strings through old Yatsuo's stone lanes.
2026/09/01 17:00 Across JapanFree
© さかおり · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingDisney Halloween 2026 runs Sept 16 (Wed)–Oct 31 (Sat) at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea — the dates are official. Full costumes are allowed only Sept 15–30 and Oct 16–31 (not Oct 1–15). Dates, costume rules and ticket tips below.
2026/09/16 09:00 TokyoRequires a park ticket (1-day from around 7,900 yen, varies by date); all Halloween entertainment is included.
© ELLusKa 86 · Public domain
OfficialUpcomingA 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.
2026/09/20 10:00 NaraScreening tickets typically around 1,000-1,500 yen; some free outdoor and community programs.
© DimiTalen · CC0
OfficialUpcomingMatsue'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.
2026/09/26 18:00 Across JapanFree
© 663highland · CC BY 2.5
OfficialUpcomingSeven 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.
2026/10/03 18:00 Across JapanFree
© Nihonmatsuri · CC BY 4.0
OfficialUpcomingUNESCO-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.
2026/10/08 12:00 KyotoFree
© Henxter · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingSome 33,000 round kochia bushes turn Miharashi Hill a blazing crimson each October, a fluffy red carpet rolling toward the Pacific Ocean.
2026/10/10 09:30 Across JapanAdults (high-school+) from ¥450; price rises during peak kochia season
© Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictions
OfficialUpcomingTacos, 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.
2026/10/17 10:00 TokyoFree
© KQuhen · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingOver 5 million LEDs transform the park into a glowing garden — a luminous wisteria tunnel, a great wisteria of light and reflective ponds rank it among Japan's top three illuminations.
2026/10/17 15:30 TokyoEvening admission around ¥1,400 (varies by light stage).
© Miyuki Meinaka · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingThe 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.
2026/10/18 08:00 TokyoFree
© Christophe Robin · CC BY-SA 2.0
OfficialUpcomingAsia'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.
2026/10/26 10:00 TokyoIndividual screening tickets typically around 1,500-2,000 yen; some open-air and free programs.
© Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY 2.0OfficialUpcomingOne of the Kanto region's largest illuminations blankets a hillside German-themed park in millions of lights, best seen from its observation wheel.
2026/10/31 16:00 Across JapanPaid: adults ¥1,500, children (age 4–elementary) ¥800; parking from ¥1,000.
© Cobalt Fox · Public Domain
OfficialUpcomingOver 4,000 maples of 11 varieties set Aichi's Korankei gorge ablaze in crimson, with evening light-ups reflecting on the Tomoe River until 9 p.m.
2026/11/01 09:00 NagoyaFree
© Shubert Ciencia · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingKyoto'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.
2026/11/01 13:30 Kyoto¥6,000 (viewing only); ¥7,000 with a tea ceremony. Two shows daily at 13:30 and 16:00.
© Joi (Joi Ito) · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingJapan's largest illumination floods a European-style canal town with millions of lights every night of the year across this Nagasaki resort.
2026/11/01 17:00 Across JapanPark admission ticket required (varies by plan)
© Jorge Láscar from Australia · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingOsaka's grand boulevard glows for winter as kilometres of ginkgo trees light up from Umeda to Namba in a record-setting display.
2026/11/03 17:00 OsakaFree
© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingTokyo Disneyland and DisneySea transform into glittering winter wonderlands for Disney Christmas — festive parades, nighttime sparkle and holiday-exclusive shows, food and merchandise at both parks.
2026/11/11 09:00 TokyoRequires a park ticket (1-day from around 7,900 yen, varies by date); all Christmas entertainment is included.
© Emran Kassim · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingJapan's biggest Spanish festival brings giant paella pans, flamenco, sevillanas contests and Iberian wine to Yoyogi Park for two passionate autumn days.
2026/11/14 10:00 TokyoFree
© Ruben Ortega · CC BY-SA 4.0OfficialUpcomingOver 6 million LEDs blanket a mountainside amusement park — ride a panoramic chairlift through a sea of light with the Ferris wheel and rides glowing under the stars.
2026/11/14 16:00 TokyoAdmission with illumination around ¥1,000–2,300 (varies; combo tickets available).
© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingKyoto's most celebrated maple temple glows after dark in autumn, its crimson leaves mirrored in a tranquil pond.
2026/11/14 17:30 KyotoEvening light-up admission around 600-700 yen
© Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingKyoto's Arashiyama bursts into crimson and gold each November, with mountain temples, a scenic train and bamboo groves.
2026/11/15 08:00 KyotoFree
© Takeshi Kuboki · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingFrom late autumn, Tokyo's avenues glow: Roppongi's blue keyaki-zaka and Marunouchi's golden champagne lights dazzle nightly.
2026/11/15 17:00 TokyoFree
© Dick Thomas Johnson · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingEvery god in Japan is said to gather at Izumo Taisha for Kamiari-zuki (Nov 9-Dec 8, 2026) -- the one shrine where the 'godless month' becomes the 'month with gods'.
2026/11/18 19:00 Across JapanFree
© senngokujidai4434 · CC BY 2.0OfficialUpcoming**Tokyo Christmas Market 2026 at Jingu Gaien has not announced its dates yet — the 2025 edition ran Nov 21–Dec 25, and 2026 is expected to follow a similar late-Nov–Dec 25 run (watch tokyochristmas.net).** Held at Meiji Jingu Gaien in front of the Memorial Picture Gallery, it brings a ~14 m Christmas pyramid, wooden chalet stalls and warm glühwein in a keepsake mug; entry started from ¥1,000 (adults, weekdays) in 2025.
2026/11/21 11:00 TokyoTicketed entry — expected ~¥1,000 weekday / ~¥1,500 weekend, higher on peak days; 2026 prices to be confirmed at tokyochristmas.net (as of July 2026). Food, drinks and the souvenir glühwein mug cost extra.
© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcoming**Sapporo White Illumination 2026 is expected to light up Odori Park from ~late November to December 25, 2026, with the Station-front and other sites glowing into February 2027 (pending the official announcement).** It's **free**, centred on Odori Park a step from **Odori Station**, and the warm, glowing heart of Sapporo's winter.
2026/11/21 16:30 SapporoFree
© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingAt 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.
2026/12/01 09:30 Across JapanAdults ¥700, elementary children ¥350
© Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingChichibu 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.
2026/12/02 14:00 TokyoFree
© Katorisi · CC BY 4.0OfficialUpcomingAn 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.
2026/12/02 16:00 TokyoFree
© Henxter · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingSix 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.
2026/12/03 18:00 Across JapanFree
© Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
OfficialUpcomingA giant live fir tree and German cuisine light up Hisaya-odori Park in central Sakae for Nagoya's signature European winter market.
2026/12/04 16:00 NagoyaFree
© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingWind, snow and ice encase the alpine firs into surreal white 'snow monsters'; ride the ropeway up and see them glow under colored floodlights at night.
2026/12/26 17:00 Across JapanFree outdoors; Zao Ropeway round-trip fare (several thousand yen) to reach the summit juhyo.
© Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingFamous as Japan's earliest-blooming plum grove, Atami Bairin opens its winter ume from early January with taiko, geisha dances and hot-spring charm.
2027/01/09 09:00 Across JapanModest garden admission during the festival (recent years a few hundred yen).
© Ogata Kōrin · Public domain
OfficialUpcoming**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.
2027/01/29 18:00 Across JapanFree
© Yoyogimura · CC BY-SA 4.0OfficialUpcomingNagasaki 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.
2027/02/05 17:00 Across JapanFree
© Cobalt Fox · Public Domain
OfficialUpcomingJapan's earliest cherry blossoms: about 850 vivid pink Kawazu-zakura line a 4km stretch of the Kawazu River in Izu, blooming a month before Tokyo's sakura.
2027/02/06 09:00 Across JapanFree
© Kirin7739 · CC0
OfficialUpcomingOtaru's historic canal and old rail line glow with thousands of hand-lit snow lanterns and floating candles for eight winter nights.
2027/02/06 17:00 SapporoFree
© 欅 (Keyaki) · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingHundreds of candlelit snow igloos glow across Yokote while children inside invite passersby in for sweet sake — plus 4,000 mini-kamakura lighting the riverbed.
2027/02/15 18:00 Across JapanFree
© Rarisan · CC0
OfficialUpcomingJapan's leading art fair, spanning antiques to cutting-edge contemporary across 150-plus galleries in the heart of Marunouchi.
2027/03/12 11:00 TokyoPaid admission ticket (around ¥3,000 in recent editions); the day before public opening is an invitation-only preview.
© Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingA 700m 'sakura tunnel' of 260-plus cherry trees arches over the Imperial Palace moat, best seen by rowboat or under evening illumination.
2027/03/25 TokyoFree
© Manish Prabhune · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingAround 30,000 cherry trees in 200 varieties blanket a sacred mountainside, blooming in waves up four zones from Shimo to Oku Senbon.
2027/03/27 NaraFree
© Tawashi2006 · CC BY 2.1 jpOfficialUpcomingFounded by footballer Hidetoshi Nakata, this open-air festival pours around 130 regional breweries' sake in the heart of Roppongi each spring.
2027/04/16 11:00 TokyoPaid: a starter set buys a glass plus tasting tokens; extra tokens sold on site.
© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingKYOTOGRAPHIE 2027 (Apr 17–May 16): Kyoto's international photography festival shows world-class work in temples and machiya across the city. Confirmed dates, venues, Passport tickets.
2027/04/17 10:00 KyotoPer-venue tickets or an all-venue Passport; some programs are free.
© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingAround 2,600 cherry trees encircle Hirosaki Castle's moats, famous for petal-carpeted 'flower rafts' and dazzling nighttime illuminations.
2027/04/23 09:00 Across JapanFree
© 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingA 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.
2027/05/15 10:30 KyotoFree
© Marie-Sophie Mejan · CC BY 4.0
OfficialPast eventJapan's largest illumination: millions of LEDs transform a flower park near Nagoya into glowing tunnels and light shows.
2026/01/15 17:00 Across JapanAdmission around 2,500 yen (includes a park voucher)
© おにく · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventGlowing arches of hundreds of thousands of lights fill Kobe each winter, a moving memorial turned beloved festival.
2026/01/23 18:00 Across JapanFree
© kimubert · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventEach January, fireworks burst over Nara before the entire grass-covered Mt. Wakakusa is set ablaze in a spectacular winter ritual.
2026/01/24 17:30 NaraFree
© 名古屋太郎 · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventHokkaido's winter wonderland: giant snow and ice sculptures fill Odori Park, drawing over two million visitors each February.
2026/02/04 10:00 SapporoFree
© Kinori · Public Domain
OfficialPast eventOne of Japan's three great gardens glows after dark in seasonal light-up events, from snowy yukitsuri ropes to autumn-leaf reflections.
2026/02/06 17:30 KanazawaFree
© tab2_dawa · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventOtaru's historic canal and old streets glow with thousands of candles in snow lanterns, a quiet, romantic counterpoint to Sapporo's snow festival.
2026/02/13 17:00 SapporoFree
© Diego Molla · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventMonks brandish giant flaming torches along Todaiji's Nigatsudo balcony each March, showering sparks over the crowd in a 1,200-year-old rite.
2026/03/12 19:00 NaraFree
© Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventOne of Tokyo's most famous hanami spots: 1,000 cherry trees line Ueno Park's central path in a pink canopy each spring.
2026/03/25 09:00 TokyoFree
© Stephane D'Alu · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventHundreds of cherry trees arch over the Meguro River, and at night pink paper lanterns turn the canal into a dream.
2026/03/26 10:00 TokyoFree
© Kakidai · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventGion's geiko and maiko perform the elegant Miyako Odori every April, a dazzling spring dance of kimono, music and seasonal scenes.
2026/04/01 12:30 KyotoTickets from around 4,000 yen; tea-ceremony seats cost more
© Conveyor belt sushi · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventHiroshima's beloved summer kickoff: locals don yukata and fill the downtown streets for three festive nights.
2026/06/05 16:00 HiroshimaFree
© Dariusz Jemielniak · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventSome 20,000 hydrangeas in 50 varieties carpet a hillside temple garden in Uji — including the elusive star-shaped 'shichidanka' — with weekend evening light-ups.
2026/06/22 08:30 KyotoGarden admission approx. ¥1,000 (adults).
© BLM Nevada · CC BY-SA 2.0
OfficialPast eventWade barefoot through water and light in this immersive digital-art museum where you become part of the artwork.
2026/06/24 10:00 TokyoAdmission around 3,800 yen; book timed tickets online in advance
© DannyWithLove · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventSip cocktails above the city: Tokyo's hotel rooftop and sky bars offer dazzling skyline views from up high.
2026/06/24 19:00 TokyoCocktails typically 1,800-3,000 yen; some bars have a cover charge
© Asanagi · CC0
OfficialPast eventteamLab 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.
2026/06/25 10:00 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.
© Domenico Convertini · CC BY-SA 2.0
OfficialPast eventYokohama's glittering bayfront at night — ride the giant Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel and stroll the illuminated waterfront promenade.
2026/06/25 17:00 YokohamaFree
© Matthide127 · CC0
OfficialPast eventA maze of 200+ tiny, characterful bars in Shinjuku — squeeze in, meet strangers, and barhop into the small hours.
2026/06/25 20:00 TokyoMany bars charge a 500-1,000 yen seating fee plus drinks; some are foreigner-friendly
© urbzoo · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventWalk a luminous path through towering bamboo in Kyoto's Arashiyama, where filtered light and rustling stalks feel otherworldly.
2026/06/26 07:00 KyotoFree
© Mitchwandrew · CC BY 4.0
OfficialPast eventPick 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.
2026/06/26 10:00 TokyoWomen's standard from ¥2,500; with hair set ¥3,500; couple plan ¥6,500 (return by 5:00 pm)
© H.Hmoderato · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventContemporary art on the 53rd floor of Roppongi Hills, paired with one of Tokyo's best skyline views from the City View deck.
2026/06/26 10:00 TokyoAdmission around 2,000 yen; often includes the observation deck
© Unknown · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventLearn the graceful art of the Japanese tea ceremony in a traditional Kyoto machiya, hosted in English for visitors.
2026/06/26 11:00 KyotoSessions typically 2,500-6,000 yen; reservations required
© Atticus nguyen · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventAn 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.
2026/06/27 11:00 TokyoFrom about ¥6,000 per person; kimono-included plans cost more
© KuboBella · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventTour 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.
2026/06/28 10:00 Kyoto¥600 admission (age 20+, includes sake tasting); ¥100 ages 13-19, free under 12
© Umio · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventA historic waterfront landmark hosting seasonal events year-round — Christmas markets, an ice rink, beer festivals and bay views.
2026/06/28 11:00 YokohamaFree
© Guilhem Vellut · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventStroll Kyoto's historic Fushimi sake quarter, where soft spring water and centuries-old breweries make some of Japan's finest sake.
2026/06/28 11:00 KyotoTastings and museum entry from a few hundred yen
© 663highland · CC BY 2.5
OfficialPast eventKobe's waterfront glitters after dark — the red Port Tower, illuminated promenade and bay views make for a relaxed romantic evening.
2026/06/28 17:00 Across JapanFree
© Brett Fagan · CC0
OfficialPast eventAoyama's intimate world-class jazz club, hosting top international musicians over dinner and cocktails most nights.
2026/06/28 19:00 TokyoMusic charge varies by act (often 8,000-15,000 yen); reservations recommended
© Kazuhisa OTSUBO · CC BY 2.0OfficialPast eventPair Japan's celebrated Kenrokuen Garden with the restored Kanazawa Castle next door — landscaped ponds, teahouses and white turrets.
2026/06/29 09:00 KanazawaKenrokuen entry around 320 yen; castle park grounds mostly free
© tab2_dawa · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventA short ferry from Hiroshima reaches Miyajima, where the great vermilion torii of Itsukushima Shrine appears to float on the tide.
2026/06/30 09:00 HiroshimaFerry and shrine entry each a few hundred yen
© Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0
OfficialPast eventThrow 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.
2026/06/30 10:00 KyotoQuick course about ¥2,000 (20 min); standard course ¥5,000 (30-60 min), plus tax
© Tom Parker · Public domain
OfficialPast eventKyoto's most atmospheric nightlife lane — a narrow lantern-lit alley of riverside restaurants, sake bars and traditional teahouses.
2026/07/01 18:00 KyotoFree
© Sergiy Galyonkin · CC BY-SA 2.0OfficialPast eventSettle into Osaka's intimate whisky bars to sample award-winning Japanese single malts poured by passionate bartenders.
2026/07/01 19:00 OsakaPours from around 1,000 yen; some bars add a seat charge
© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventA circular, glass-walled art museum famous for Leandro Erlich's Swimming Pool — playful, interactive and free to wander outside.
2026/07/02 10:00 KanazawaFree public zones; ticketed exhibition galleries
© City of Kanazawa · CC BY 2.1 jp
OfficialPast eventYebisu beer's birthplace at Yebisu Garden Place, with a museum, guided tours and a tasting taproom.
2026/07/02 12:00 TokyoFree
© Wpcpey · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventRetro Shitamachi shopping street near Ueno lined with food stalls, wagashi sweets, croquettes and old-Tokyo charm.
2026/07/03 11:00 TokyoFree
© Stephen Kelly from San Francisco, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventThe summer edition of Earth Garden turns Yoyogi Park into a festive evening night-market — lanterns, world music, beer and global street food after dark.
2026/07/03 15:00 TokyoFree
© Takashi Hososhima from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0
OfficialPast eventA mountain hot-spring resort near Mt. Fuji, combining steaming onsen, a sculpture park, a pirate-ship lake cruise and ropeway views.
2026/07/04 09:00 Across JapanOnsen and museum entries vary; a Hakone Free Pass saves on transport
© Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventOhori 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.
2026/07/05 09:00 FukuokaAdults ¥250, children ¥120 (65+ free)
© Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0
OfficialPast eventHistoric sake museum in Kyoto's Fushimi brewing district with exhibits, brewery tours and a tasting corner.
2026/07/05 09:30 KyotoPaid admission including a tasting; open 9:30-16:30 (last entry 16:00). Cashless from July 2026.
© Makoragi · CC BY 4.0
OfficialPast eventUpscale Marunouchi live restaurant pairing dinner with intimate jazz, soul and world-music concerts.
2026/07/05 18:30 TokyoReserved seating with music charge plus food and drink; reservations recommended.
© Querar · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventFree sake museum in Kobe's Nada Gogo district inside a Taisho-era brewhouse, with life-size displays and tastings.
2026/07/06 09:30 OsakaFree
© Makoragi · CC BY 4.0OfficialPast eventA 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.
2026/07/06 09:30 NagoyaAdmission charged (see official site)
© Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0OfficialPast eventYokohama's historic waterfront warehouses host seasonal festivals — Oktoberfest, flower garden, ice rink and food fairs.
2026/07/06 11:00 YokohamaFree
© Guilhem Vellut · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventStep into the worlds of Studio Ghibli in Aichi, with life-size sets from Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl's Castle and more.
2026/07/07 10:00 NagoyaTimed tickets required; book online well in advance
© Kyu3 · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventRoppongi dinner-and-concert club in Tokyo Midtown hosting international and Japanese artists across genres.
2026/07/07 19:00 TokyoReserved seating with music charge; food and drink ordered on site.
© Johannes Stage (1889–1962), Norwegian photographer · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventInside Ocean Expo Park, the giant Kuroshio tank holds whale sharks and manta rays behind one of the world's largest acrylic panels.
2026/07/08 08:30 OkinawaAdmission charged (see official fee page)
© James St. John · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventUmeda dinner-and-concert club in the Herbis Plaza Ent, hosting jazz, soul and pop in an intimate room.
2026/07/08 19:00 OsakaReserved seating with music charge; food and drink ordered on site.
© FingerWiki · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventRolling purple lavender fields perfume the Hokkaido hills at Japan's most iconic flower farm, framed by distant snow-capped peaks.
2026/07/10 08:30 SapporoFree
© Benford Choi · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventOver 30,000 golden lanterns light the approach to Yasukuni Shrine across four summer nights, with Aomori nebuta floats and bon-odori dancing.
2026/07/13 18:00 TokyoFree
© PattayaPatrol · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventA 175,000m2 classical garden of relocated historic buildings — in summer, irises, hydrangeas and early-morning lotus blooms float over its ponds.
2026/07/15 09:00 YokohamaAdults ¥900, children ¥200
© shankar s. · CC BY 2.0OfficialPast eventA summer seaside festival at Yamashita Park with parades, a lit-up boat procession and fireworks over Yokohama Bay.
2026/07/18 16:00 YokohamaFree
© Matthide127 · CC0
OfficialPast eventOsaka's thousand-year river festival ends with a flotilla of lantern-lit boats and fireworks reflected on the Okawa River.
2026/07/25 15:00 OsakaFree
© Mr.ちゅらさん · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventTokyo's most storied summer fireworks show launches 20,000 shells over the Sumida River with Tokyo Skytree glowing behind.
2026/07/25 19:00 TokyoFree
© 桜庭シェリー · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventOne of the Seto Inland Sea's largest displays — about 10,000 shells, including wide 10-go bursts, choreographed to music over Hiroshima Port.
2026/07/25 20:00 HiroshimaFree
© Daniel Ramirez from Honolulu, USA · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventUP 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.
2026/07/26 18:30 YokohamaDoor ¥5,000 / advance ¥4,500 (separate one-drink charge); capacity limited (~180)
© UP BEAT! / UP BEAT SOUNDWORKS · 提供画像 (Provided by the organiser)
OfficialPast eventAt 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.
2026/08/01 10:00 KyotoKomon kimono ¥4,950 (outdoor) / ¥3,850 (indoor); reservation required
© Pitke · CC BY 3.0
OfficialPast eventIn 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.
2026/08/01 10:00 NaraFive-sake tasting approx. ¥500 with souvenir glass
© Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictions
OfficialPast eventThe 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.
2026/08/01 10:00 KanazawaGold-leaf soft serve approx. ¥891; craft experiences vary
© Felix Riano · CC BY 2.0OfficialPast eventA 1,000-shell opening burst in five seconds sets the tone for one of Tokyo's biggest riverside fireworks shows over the Edogawa.
2026/08/01 19:15 TokyoFree
© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventNagaoka'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.
2026/08/02 19:20 Across JapanReserved seats sold out; official resale only (Japan residents), approx. ¥1,000-¥48,000 face value by tier
© Cp9asngf · CC BY-SA 3.0OfficialPast eventOne of Japan's three great fireworks festivals, famed for the colossal 'Phoenix' shells fired across the Shinano River as a prayer for peace.
2026/08/02 19:20 Across JapanFree
© Cp9asngf · CC BY-SA 3.0