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 nowUSJ 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.
2026/06/22 08:30 OsakaIncluded with a Studio Pass (1-day from around 8,600 yen); no separate ticket for the anniversary entertainment.
© Mr.henry yanayah · CC BY-SA 4.0
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 nowKnown 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.
2026/07/01 08:00 OsakaFree
© Choi2451 · CC BY-SA 3.0
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 3.0OfficialOn nowUSJ'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.
2026/07/30 08:30 OsakaStudio Pass required; the Premier Show and Sanji's Pirate Restaurant need separate paid/lottery tickets.
© Momopy~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialOn nowHirosaki's own summer lantern parade (Aug 1–7, 2026) — fan-shaped floats and a calmer chant that set it apart from nearby Aomori Nebuta.
2026/08/01 19:00 Across JapanFree
© Rosino · CC BY-SA 2.0
OfficialOn nowAomori Nebuta 2026 reserved viewing seats: ¥4,000 prices, the 2026 sale dates (lottery + Jun 27 first-come), how to buy, and access from Tokyo.
2026/08/02 19:00 Across JapanReserved viewing seat ¥4,000 (Aug 7 daytime + fireworks set ¥9,500); handling fee added
© Fisherman · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialOn nowHow 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.
2026/08/02 19:00Paid grandstand seats from ¥1,000 (varies by festival and tier)
© MIKI Yoshihito · CC BY 2.0OfficialOn nowGiant illuminated warrior floats are paraded through Aomori nightly as chanting dancers leap alongside in a blaze of color.
2026/08/02 19:00 Across JapanFree
© Fisherman · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialOn nowAkita'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.
2026/08/03 18:45 Across JapanFree
© 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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 nowSome 10,000 dancers twirl flower-adorned straw hats to the rhythmic cry of 'Yassho, makasho!' in one of Tohoku's biggest parades.
2026/08/05 18:00 Across JapanFree
© No machine-readable author provided. Crown of Lenten rose assumed (based on copy · Public domain
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 nowSendai 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.
2026/08/06 10:00 Across JapanFree
© 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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 weekendAsagaya 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.
2026/08/07 10:00 TokyoFree
© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialThis weekendFukushima Waraji Matsuri 2026 (Aug 7–9) parades a 12m, 2-ton straw sandal past the station before offering it to Haguro Shrine.
2026/08/07 18:30 Across JapanFree
© m-sasaki · CC BY 4.0
OfficialThis weekendNiigata Matsuri 2026 runs Aug 7–9: a 15,000-dancer folk parade on the 7th, then a Shinano River fireworks finale on the 9th.
2026/08/07 19:00 Across JapanFree
© DAI-nk · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialThis weekendAwa 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.
2026/08/12 18:00 Across JapanReserved grandstand ¥1,000 (C) – ¥3,000 (S); Minami-uchimachi SS ¥6,000 / Special ¥15,000
© Kounosu · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialThis weekendTottori's Guinness-record umbrella dance returns Aug 13–14, 2026 for its 62nd edition — free to watch along the city-center parade route.
2026/08/13 18:00 Across JapanFree
© KASEI · 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
OfficialUpcomingNaha's vibrant 'kitchen': vivid Okinawan reef fish, pork and produce downstairs, then a 'mochiagari' service cooks your picks at the upstairs eateries.
2026/08/15 08:00 OkinawaFree
© Jan Schoepe · CC0
OfficialUpcomingA Kisho Kurokawa building tucked into Shirakawa Park, strong on the Ecole de Paris, the Mexican Renaissance and local modern art.
2026/08/15 09:30 NagoyaCollection ~¥300; special exhibitions vary
© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingA lakeside museum in Ohori Park by architect Kunio Maekawa, mixing Dali and Warhol with Buddhist treasures across 16,000+ works.
2026/08/15 09:30 FukuokaCollection ~¥200; special exhibitions vary
© DrHughManning · 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
OfficialUpcomingOne 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.
2026/08/16 07:30 TokyoFree
© American Art Association; Millet, Francis Davis, 1846-1912 · No restrictions
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
OfficialUpcomingMasked 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.
2026/08/16 19:30 Across JapanFree
© 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 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
OfficialUpcomingOne of Japan's biggest tropical-fish and aquatic-life markets fills an Asakusa hall with around 200 specialist booths.
2026/08/23 10:00 TokyoPaid admission (check the official site for the current ticket price).
© Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictions
OfficialUpcomingOkinawa'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.
2026/08/28 09:00 OkinawaAdults ¥2,000; children (4-14) ¥1,000
© Venkasub · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingOkinawa's biggest eisa festival, where drum troupes from across the islands perform thunderous traditional dance under summer skies.
2026/08/28 15:00 OkinawaFree
© Tet · CC BY 4.0
OfficialUpcomingNoboribetsu'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.
2026/08/29 10:00 Across JapanFree
© Prosperosity · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingNara's energetic summer counterpoint — vivid street-dance teams parade past Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha and Sanjo-dori.
2026/08/29 11:00 NaraFree
© Degueulasse · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingJapan's only major summer full marathon starts and finishes at Odori Park, using stretches of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic route.
2026/08/30 08:30 SapporoSpectating free; runner entry opens in late March 2026.
© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0OfficialUpcomingA quirky Tokyo street festival born from a comic rakugo tale, where charcoal-grilled Pacific saury is served with sudachi citrus to long, happy queues.
2026/09/06 10:00 TokyoFree
© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0OfficialUpcomingA three-week harvest food festival in Odori Park celebrating Hokkaido's bounty — fresh seafood, ramen, sweets, wine and local produce.
2026/09/11 10:00 SapporoFree
© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingVietnam Festa in Kanagawa 2026 (Sep 12–13, Yokohama): pho, ao dai shows and water puppets on the bayfront, free — verified dates, venue and access.
2026/09/12 10:00 YokohamaFree
© Shizhao · CC BY-SA 2.5
OfficialUpcomingFor seven nights, around 500 food and game stalls line Hakozakigu's approach as a million visitors mark autumn's arrival — Fukuoka's great harvest festival.
2026/09/12 10:00 FukuokaFree
© Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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
OfficialUpcomingSome 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.
2026/09/19 10:00 Across JapanFree
© Umako · Public domain
OfficialUpcomingChiba's biggest street festival draws up to 800,000 visitors -- and in 2026 it moves from its traditional late-July weekend to September 19-20 because of record summer heat.
2026/09/19 13:00 Across JapanFree
© ヒタチギ · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingKumamoto's biggest autumn festival runs Sept 20-21, 2026: about 60 decorated parade horses and a twice-daily armored procession fill the streets, free to watch.
2026/09/20 06:00 Across JapanFree
© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingJapan's biggest reptile and exotic-animal expo packs Tokyo Big Sight with geckos, snakes, frogs and the breeders who love them.
2026/09/20 10:00 TokyoAdults ¥1,400 advance / ¥1,600 door; elementary ¥700 advance / ¥800 door; preschoolers free.
© Vassil · CC0
OfficialUpcomingPet 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.
2026/09/21 10:00 OsakaAdults (junior-high+) ¥1,300 advance / ¥1,500 door; children (age 4-elementary) ¥700 advance / ¥800 door.
© Judgefloro · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingJapan'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.
2026/09/26 10:00 TokyoFree
© Nesnad · CC BY 4.0
OfficialUpcomingAround 100 fishing boats escort three deities' mikoshi across the sea at this World Heritage shrine's grand autumn festival.
2026/10/01 09:00 FukuokaFree
© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingThe 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.
2026/10/03 10:00 TokyoFree
© Ben P L from Provo, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
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
OfficialUpcomingA 380-year-old shrine festival blending Japanese, Chinese and Dutch flair — spinning dragon dances, whirling umbrella floats and roaring 'Motte-koi' chants.
2026/10/07 07:00 FukuokaFree
© Marine-Blue · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingEleven 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.
2026/10/09 09:00 NagoyaFree
© z tanuki · CC BY 3.0
OfficialUpcomingKonpira-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.
2026/10/09 16:00 Across JapanFree
© Kanchi1979 · 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
OfficialUpcomingNagoya's biggest autumn party crowns Oda Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu in armor, leading a 600-strong procession from the station to Nagoya Castle.
2026/10/10 10:00 NagoyaFree
© Base64 · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingIn a 340-year-old Nara ritual, shrine 'seko' wrangle wild stags with ropes inside a wooden arena before a Shinto priest saws off their autumn antlers.
2026/10/10 12:00 NaraAround ¥1,000 (adults)
© TR15336300101 · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingJoin thousands pulling the world's largest straw rope through Naha in this Guinness-record Okinawan autumn festival.
2026/10/11 11:00 OkinawaFree
© Okimoto · Public Domain
OfficialUpcomingTens 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.
2026/10/11 14:30 OkinawaFree
© Yuet Man Lee · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingIn Tokyo's 'Little Edo', towering tiered floats with revolving dolls roll past kurazukuri warehouses and clash in 'Hikkawase' flute-and-drum face-offs.
2026/10/17 10:00 TokyoFree
© 三塚 · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingJapan's biggest analog-game fair, where thousands of indie board, card and tabletop creators sell and demo their games over one weekend.
2026/10/17 11:00 TokyoAround ¥1,500 advance / ¥2,000 same-day (2026 reference; autumn fees TBA); elementary schoolers and younger free.
© Lance Cpl. David Hersey · Public domain
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
OfficialUpcomingJapan's largest ramen festival gathers 36 famous shops from Hokkaido to Kyushu under one open-air roof in Komazawa Park — one steaming bowl at a time.
2026/10/22 10:00 TokyoFree
© Shisma · CC BY 4.0
OfficialUpcomingA 2-km parade of 2,000 people in meticulously accurate costumes marches through 1,000 years of Kyoto history, from Heian nobles to Meiji revolutionaries.
2026/10/22 12:00 KyotoFree
© Corpse Reviver · CC BY-SA 3.0OfficialUpcomingHakata 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.
2026/10/23 10:00 FukuokaFree
© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingA 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.
2026/10/24 10:00 TokyoFree
© zannaland · CC BY-SA 2.0
OfficialUpcomingHiroshima's biggest autumn food fair fills the grounds of Hiroshima Castle with okonomiyaki, oysters, lemons and gourmet stalls from every corner of the prefecture.
2026/10/24 10:00 HiroshimaFree
© EllieBellie25 · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingYokohama's flagship full marathon starts at Landmark Tower and is the only domestic race that runs on the Bay Expressway.
2026/10/25 08:30 YokohamaFull marathon entry from around ¥18,500; spectating is free.
© Marc Antomattei · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcoming**The Saga International Balloon Fiesta 2026 runs Oct 30–Nov 3, 2026 on the banks of the Kase River in eastern Saga City, and it's completely free to watch.** Asia's largest sky-sports event fills the Kyushu sky with 100+ hot-air balloons, drawing over 800,000 visitors across five days.
2026/10/30 06:30 FukuokaFree
© Pekachu · CC BY-SA 4.0OfficialUpcomingOne 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
OfficialUpcomingThree costumed demons roam the streets of hillside Onomichi, tapping children with sticks to bring them good health.
2026/11/01 09:00 HiroshimaFree
© Dariusz Jemielniak · CC BY-SA 3.0
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
OfficialUpcomingThe Yaeyama Islands' biggest festival fills central Ishigaki with a citizens' parade, island music and a closing fireworks display over the harbour town.
2026/11/01 11:00 OkinawaFree
© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0
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
OfficialUpcomingThe original Kagoshima Ohara Matsuri (Nov 2–3, 2026) fills Tenmonkan with 16,500+ dancers — not to be confused with Tokyo's May Shibuya version.
2026/11/02 18:50 Across JapanFree
© Sanjo · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingFourteen colossal lacquered floats — golden lions, samurai helmets and dragons up to 7 m tall — are dragged through town and onto a beach where they sink in sand.
2026/11/02 19:30 FukuokaFree
© Pekachu · CC BY-SA 4.0OfficialUpcomingOne of Japan's three great fireworks competitions, where rival pyrotechnicians fire 20,000 shells over the Sakuragawa river to be crowned the nation's best.
2026/11/07 17:30 Across JapanFree
© Cobalt Fox · Public Domain
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 2.0OfficialUpcomingOver 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 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 2.0
OfficialUpcomingJapan's largest German-style Christmas market: a glittering tree, wooden hutte stalls, mulled wine and bay-side lights by the historic red brick warehouses.
2026/11/21 11:00 YokohamaPaid timed entry (around ¥500–1,000 — check official site).
© Kakidai · CC BY-SA 3.0OfficialUpcoming**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
OfficialUpcomingRamen Expo Osaka 2026 runs late Nov–Dec, ~60 shops, ~¥900/bowl. 2026 dates aren't out yet — 2025 ran Nov 22–Dec 30 in six acts, so expect a similar window.
2026/11/22 10:00 OsakaPark admission plus ramen tickets (typically around ¥900 per bowl).
© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingFrom nightly hour-long showings at Takachiho Shrine to the free two-day, all-33-dance Yokagura Matsuri and month-long hamlet sessions each winter, Takachiho Yokagura is one of Kyushu's most accessible sacred night rituals -- a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property since 1978.
2026/11/22 18:00 Across JapanFree
© David Stanley · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingWild 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.
2026/12/01 08:30 Across JapanPark admission around ¥800; the 'Snow Monkey Pass' (~¥3,500) bundles transport and entry.
© Daisuke tashiro from Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0
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
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
OfficialUpcomingThe 40th NAHA Marathon runs Dec 6, 2026: 30,000 runners cross 5 southern Okinawa towns on the Peace Memorial Park course to a finish in Naha.
2026/12/06 09:00 OkinawaEntry ¥11,000 (general) / ¥9,000 (ages 65+ and under 18); spectating along the course is free.
© 663highland · CC BY 2.5OfficialUpcomingA 890-year-old festival whose daytime parade marches costumes from the Heian through Edo eras through central Nara.
2026/12/15 09:00 NaraFree
© Degueulasse · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingShueisha's free mega anime-and-manga festival packs Makuhari Messe with Shonen Jump stages, exclusive reveals, voice-actor events and rare merch.
2026/12/19 09:00 TokyoFree
© Jack145945 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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
OfficialUpcomingTokyo's official free countdown lights up the Metropolitan Government Building with giant projection mapping, live acts and a midnight cheer in Shinjuku.
2026/12/31 22:00 TokyoFree
© Markus Leupold-Löwenthal · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingSome two million Osakans cross the arched Sorihashi bridge to greet the year at 'Sumiyossan,' head shrine of Japan's 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines.
2026/12/31 22:00 OsakaFree
© Saigen Jiro · CC0
OfficialUpcomingSeventeen monks heave on ropes to toll Chion-in's 70-ton bell 108 times on New Year's Eve, each deep strike clearing a worldly desire.
2026/12/31 22:30 KyotoPaid viewing — advance reservation required (from 2025)
© Marianne North · Public domain
OfficialUpcomingKyoto's head Inari shrine welcomes some 2.5 million New Year worshippers who pray for prosperity beneath endless tunnels of vermilion torii.
2026/12/31 23:00 KyotoFree
© Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingRoughly three million people stream through the towering torii to pray at Tokyo's grandest shrine in the first three days of the year.
2026/12/31 23:00 TokyoFree
© Nightcrafter · CC BY-SA 4.0
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**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.
2027/01/10 08:00 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.
© Creazilla · CC0
OfficialUpcomingIn a Daisetsuzan gorge, ice domes and towers fill a riverside field, lit nightly in shifting colors with weekend fireworks over the snow.
2027/01/23 13:00 Across JapanCooperation fee around ¥500 (junior-high+); free for younger children.
© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0
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 4.0
OfficialUpcomingSculptors spray the clear blue waters of Lake Shikotsu onto frames to build towering turquoise ice domes and tunnels, glowing in jewel tones after dark.
2027/01/30 10:00 SapporoDonation around ¥500 (high-school age+); free for younger children.
© Inlet Masu · CC BY-SA 3.0OfficialUpcomingSumo 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.
2027/02/03 11:00 Across JapanFree
© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingSapporo Snow Festival 2027: confirmed Feb 4–11 dates, the three free sites (Odori, Susukino, Tsudome), and how to get there from New Chitose Airport.
2027/02/04 10:00 SapporoFree
© Senior Chief Petty Officer Ryan Delcore (U.S. Navy) · Public domain
OfficialUpcomingHokkaido's second-biggest snow fest pairs colossal stage-sized snow sculptures by the Ishikari River with an international ice-carving championship.
2027/02/05 09:00 SapporoFree
© 京浜にけ · CC BY 3.0
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
OfficialUpcomingRoughly 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.
2027/02/13 08:00 Across JapanInner garden ~¥300 for non-residents; festival grounds largely free.
© Etwas Neues · 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
OfficialUpcomingOn 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.
2027/03/03 Across JapanFree
© 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingOver 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.
2027/03/27 OsakaFree
© Seattleite7 · CC BY-SA 4.0OfficialUpcomingJapan'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.
2027/04/01 11:00 Across JapanFree
© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0OfficialUpcomingThirteen three-tiered floats with karakuri puppets parade below Inuyama Castle, glowing with lanterns under the cherry blossoms.
2027/04/03 09:00 NagoyaFree
© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0OfficialUpcomingTwelve ornate Edo-era yatai floats with karakuri puppets parade through old Takayama, glowing with around 100 lanterns each at the night festival.
2027/04/14 09:00 NagoyaFree
© z tanuki · CC BY 3.0
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
OfficialUpcomingThree 12-metre, 20-ton wooden floats — among Japan's largest — are hauled through Nanao's narrow streets.
2027/05/03 09:00 KanazawaFree
© Jovandavid · Public DomainOfficialUpcomingGiant kites duel over the Nakatajima dunes by day; by night, illuminated palace-style floats and brass bands fill downtown Hamamatsu.
2027/05/03 10:00 Across JapanFree
© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingOne 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.
2027/05/03 10:00 FukuokaFree
© フェレス · CC BY-SA 2.1 jp
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
OfficialUpcomingNikko 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.
2027/05/17 09:00 TokyoFree
© Ray in Manila · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcomingOne 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.
2027/05/19 08:00 KanazawaFree
© Jonathan Mercieca · CC BY-SA 4.0OfficialUpcomingSome 400 lilac trees burst into bloom in Odori Park, with a lilac wine garden and outdoor music marking the start of the northern spring.
2027/05/19 10:00 SapporoFree
© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialUpcomingKanazawa'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.
2027/06/04 09:00 KanazawaFree
© Z3144228 · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialUpcomingOsaka's Aizen Matsuri (fixed every Jun 30–Jul 2) just wrapped its 2026 run — here's what happened, and the reliable placeholder for 2027.
2027/06/30 10:00 OsakaFree
© Ogiyoshisan · Public domain
OfficialUpcoming**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.
2027/07/11 08:00 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.
© elmimmo · CC BY 2.0
OfficialUpcoming**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.
2027/09/12 08:00 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.
© Mila Lai · CC BY-SA 2.0
OfficialUpcoming**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.
2027/11/14 08:00 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.
© Hirho · CC BY-SA 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 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 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 eventA UNESCO World Heritage village of steep thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses, nestled in a mountain valley that turns magical under snow.
2026/02/15 09:00 Across JapanFree
© 雷太 · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventJapan's biggest anime expo: trailers, stage events, voice actors and exclusive goods from every major studio.
2026/03/21 10:00 TokyoTickets around 2,500 yen; some stage events require extra entry
© Chad Davis · CC BY 2.0
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 eventOkinawa's Golden Week dragon-boat festival packs Naha's port with thundering paddle races, music stages and fireworks over the harbor.
2026/05/03 09:00 OkinawaFree
© Banzai Hiroaki · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventA vibrant Golden Week celebration along Peace Boulevard, with flower parades, yosakoi dancing, music stages and a giant flower tower.
2026/05/03 09:30 HiroshimaFree
© Taisyo · CC BY 3.0
OfficialPast eventA grand samurai procession reenacts a feudal lord's entry into Kanazawa, complete with armor, geisha and lantern-lit floats.
2026/06/05 14:00 KanazawaFree
© Danko Georgiev · CC BY-SA 3.0
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 eventThe flagship Pokemon store in Ikebukuro, packed with exclusive plush, seasonal merch and a giant Pikachu welcoming fans.
2026/06/25 10:00 TokyoFree
© Maplestrip · CC BY 3.0
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 eventWander Japan's largest Chinatown for steaming nikuman, xiaolongbao and panda sweets among ornate gates and red lanterns.
2026/06/25 11:00 YokohamaFree
© Syced · CC0
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 eventExplore the crimson seat of the former Ryukyu Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage site now rising again from its 2019 fire.
2026/06/26 09:00 OkinawaPark areas free; paid zones include the reconstruction site view
© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventTokyo's favorite escape: an easy, scenic mountain just an hour from Shinjuku, with temples, trails and a cable car.
2026/06/27 09:00 TokyoFree
© Rob Young · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventSuit 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.
2026/06/27 13:00 TokyoBasic ticket from about ¥3,000 (adult); premium experiences cost more
© Savannah Rivka · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventDress 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.
2026/06/27 14:00 KyotoBasic ticket from about ¥3,000 (adult); longer experiences cost more
© Auckland Museum Collections from Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventIn 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.
2026/06/28 11:00 TokyoBox-office tickets, all unreserved. Day program from 11:40, evening from 16:40.
© DXR · 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 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 eventJapan's most famous baseball club under the dome — easy, all-weather pro baseball in the heart of Tokyo.
2026/06/28 18:00 TokyoReserved seats from about ¥2,200 to ¥7,000+
© Syced · CC0
OfficialPast eventJapan's oldest and largest museum in Ueno Park, home to samurai armor, Buddhist art and an unrivaled national treasure collection.
2026/06/29 09:00 TokyoRegular collection around 1,000 yen; special exhibits priced separately
© Carla Antonini · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventCook 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.
2026/06/29 11:00 OsakaVaries by menu and group; reserve via the official site
© Lianguanlun · CC BY 4.0
OfficialPast eventTrain 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.
2026/06/29 13:00 Kyoto1-hour lesson ¥10,000; 2-hour lesson ¥15,000 per person (ninja costume included)
© M Disdero · CC BY-SA 2.5
OfficialPast eventSculpt 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.
2026/06/29 14:00 TokyoAbout ¥12,000 per person (kimono rental, ingredients and utensils included)
© Douglas Perkins · CC0
OfficialPast eventJapan's most passionate baseball crowd — join tens of thousands of Tigers fans for a jet-balloon night at historic Koshien.
2026/06/29 18:00 OsakaOutfield seats from about ¥2,000; infield reserved ¥6,000–¥9,000+
© Yasu (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventFeel 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.
2026/06/30 15:00 TokyoVaries by plan; reserve via the official site (taiko-reserve.com)
© Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventA 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.
2026/06/30 18:00 KyotoAdult from ¥5,500; premium seats ¥6,600. Daily shows at 18:00 and 19:00 (winter Dec–Mar: Tue–Fri only).
© Joi (Joi Ito) · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventA 106-hectare green expanse around Osaka Castle, ringed by moats and stone walls — 300 cherry trees, 1,200 plums, lawns and concerts year-round.
2026/07/01 OsakaFree
© Hanlu Cao · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast event660 hectares where ~1,200 wild deer roam freely among temples and lawns, bowing for shika-senbei crackers — a National Natural Monument.
2026/07/01 NaraFree
© shankar s. from Poona (pune), India, India · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventSapporo'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.
2026/07/01 08:00 SapporoFree
© pelican from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0
OfficialPast eventHiroshima's most visited site: a deeply moving record of the 1945 atomic bombing, with multilingual audio guides and free volunteer guides for overseas visitors.
2026/07/01 08:30 HiroshimaAdults ¥200; reservations advised at peak hours
© Michael Helmer · Public domain
OfficialPast eventA 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.
2026/07/01 10:00 KyotoAdults ¥900 (check site for current fees)
© Yu Morita from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0
OfficialPast eventCatch Japan's top-flight football — choreographed ultras, family-friendly stands and clubs in nearly every city.
2026/07/01 14:00 TokyoTickets typically ¥2,000–¥6,000
© Mr.ちゅらさん · CC BY 4.0
OfficialPast eventTokyo's vast wholesale fish market with tuna auctions, viewing decks and fresh-sushi restaurants open to visitors.
2026/07/02 06:00 TokyoFree
© Angelo DeSantis from Berkeley, US · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventNintendo's own museum in Uji traces 130+ years of play — from hanafuda cards to the Switch — with giant interactive exhibits in a former factory.
2026/07/02 10:00 KyotoLottery reservation required; admission via official ticket draw
© Evan-Amos · Public domain
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 jpOfficialPast eventOne of the Kanto region's largest Tanabata festivals, where central Hiratsuka disappears beneath giant, gaudy bamboo streamers up to ten metres tall.
2026/07/03 10:00 Across JapanFree
© Midori (Wikimedia user) · CC BY-SA 3.0
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 4.0OfficialPast eventWorld-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.
2026/07/07 14:00 Across JapanAdults (junior-high+) ¥4,500; children (4+) ¥2,500; under 3 free. Spring/autumn shows at 14:00.
© Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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 eventHakata's oldest 400 m covered arcade with 130+ shops, eateries and the famous Kawabata zenzai red-bean sweet.
2026/07/09 11:00 FukuokaFree
© BradBeattie · CC BY-SA 3.0
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 eventKansai's flagship Pokemon store atop Daimaru Shinsaibashi, with an adjoining cafe where Pikachu-shaped dishes arrive tableside.
2026/07/10 10:00 OsakaFree
© JJBers from Willimantic, Connecticut, USA · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventJapan's largest handmade-craft festival, where about 3,000 creators sell jewelry, ceramics, leather, art and food over one weekend.
2026/07/11 11:00 Tokyo¥1,300 advance / ¥1,500 door (1-day); ¥2,000 advance / ¥2,500 door (2-day); elementary schoolers and younger free.
© Shixart1985 · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast eventKyushu's only official Pokemon store, two minutes from Hakata Station, stocking 2,500+ items including Fukuoka-themed exclusives.
2026/07/12 10:00 FukuokaFree
© Hirho · CC BY-SA 4.0
JmtyPast eventA free, all-ages pickleball gathering near Odo Station bringing students, staff and locals together to play and connect across generations.
2026/07/12 10:00 KyotoFree
© pickle · via jmty
JmtyPast eventA free, family-friendly Sunday gathering in Edogawa where kids and adults play, sing and connect across English and Japanese—no experience needed.
2026/07/12 15:30 TokyoFree
© こまつな／江戸川ベースnappa · via jmty
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 eventKyoto's grandest festival fills July with towering wooden floats, lantern-lit evening parties, and 1,100 years of tradition.
2026/07/17 09:00 KyotoFree
© Corpse Reviver · CC BY 3.0
OfficialPast eventKokura 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.
2026/07/17 18:00 FukuokaFree
© Nissy-KITAQ · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventThree seaside days of Nepal in Tokyo's Odaiba — momo and dal bhat, Himalayan crafts, folk dance and music against the bay, free to all.
2026/07/18 10:00 TokyoFree
© Original: Mithun Kunwar Derivative work: Radomianin · CC BY-SA 4.0OfficialPast 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 eventJR Central's railway museum displays 39 real trains — from steam locomotives to record-setting maglev — plus Japan's largest model railway diorama.
2026/07/20 10:00 NagoyaAdults ~¥1,000 (check site)
© Saruno Hirobano · CC BY-SA 3.0OfficialPast eventOtaru's biggest summer festival fills the port with the mass 'Shio Nerikomi' dance and a closing fireworks display.
2026/07/24 11:00 SapporoFree
© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventThe home of bunraku, Japan's UNESCO-listed puppet theatre, where master puppeteers, tayu chanters and shamisen bring epic dramas to life.
2026/07/25 11:00 OsakaTickets vary by program; English audio guide available
© Hiart · CC0OfficialPast eventOne of Japan's three great river festivals — lantern-laden 'makiwara' boats glide across the Tenno River by night.
2026/07/25 18:00 NagoyaFree
© Chris 73 · CC BY-SA 3.0
OfficialPast eventBy night, daytime banner floats transform into 'lantern pyramids' — 12 tiers of 309 glowing lanterns swaying as bearers race them through Kitakyushu.
2026/07/25 18:30 FukuokaFree
© Adbh266 · 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 3.0OfficialPast eventThe 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.
2026/07/25 19:50 KanazawaFree
© Jovandavid · Public Domain
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 eventKanazawa's 300-year-old kitchen: ~170 stalls of Sea of Japan crab, sweet shrimp and just-sliced sashimi rice bowls under one covered arcade.
2026/08/01 09:00 KanazawaFree
© AUSH baowHAO 260088 · CC0
OfficialPast eventNara'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.
2026/08/01 10:00 NaraFree
© Ssemmanda will · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventNagoya's quirky downtown district throws a lively summer festival with cosplay, world dance and a wet 'kara-okuri' parade.
2026/08/01 10:00 NagoyaFree
© Alan & Flora Botting · CC BY-SA 2.0
OfficialPast eventThe world's first ramen theme park: slurp regional ramen styles in a recreated 1958 Tokyo backstreet, with gluten-free and vegetarian bowls too.
2026/08/01 11:00 YokohamaAdmission: adults ¥450, children ¥100, under 6 free (ramen extra)
© Asturio Cantabrio · CC BY-SA 4.0OfficialPast eventKitakyushu's biggest summer festival sends massive 'Wasshoi' dance parades and mikoshi through Kokura, capped by fireworks.
2026/08/01 15:00 FukuokaFree
© そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0
OfficialPast eventA Guinness-record wall of taiko drums thunders through Morioka as thousands of dancers chant 'Sakkora choiwayasse!'
2026/08/01 18:00 Across JapanFree
© Marho · CC BY-SA 4.0OfficialPast eventA 700-metre 'Grand Niagara' cascade and Tokyo's largest shells light up the Arakawa, fired in tandem with Toda City across the water.
2026/08/01 19:00 TokyoFree
© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0OfficialPast 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 eventHakodate Port Festival 2026 (Aug 1–5): free Hokkaido summer festival with opening-night bay fireworks on Aug 1 and the famous Ika Odori squid dance Aug 2–3. Dates, times, access.
2026/08/01 19:45 Across JapanFree
© Raita Futo · CC BY 2.0
OfficialPast event21,000 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.
2026/08/01 20:00 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.
© MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0
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