Senso-ji Hagoita-Ichi Fair (羽子板市)
Time: December 17-19
Prefecture: Tokyo
Location: Senso-ji Temple

Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple located in Asakusa, hosts an annual three-day fair known as Hagoita-Ichi. The fair revolves around the sale of good luck ornamental bats, called hagoita in Japanese.

With roots dating back to the Edo period, this festival unfolds in front of Senso-ji. From December 17th to 19th, spanning from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, 50 open-air stalls are set up near the main hall of the temple, offering visitors the opportunity to acquire these traditional and symbolic items.

Chichibu Night Festival (秩父夜祭・Chichibu Yomatsuri)
Time: December 2-3, with main festivities occurring on December 3
Prefecture: Saitama
Location: Chichibu Shrine

It is recognized as one of Japan's top three float festivals, alongside Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and the Takayama Matsuri. The festival's floats are beautifully adorned with lanterns, tapestries, and intricate gilded wood carvings, accompanied by the melodious sounds of drums and flutes.

Himeji Castle Festival (姫路お城まつり)
Time: Mid November
Prefecture: Hyogo
Location: Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle stands as one of Japan's meticulously preserved castles, earning its UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1993. An optimal time to experience the grandeur of this historic site is during the Himeji Castle Festival, a venerable tradition spanning over 70 years. This annual event unfolds over three days in November, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural and historical richness surrounding Himeji Castle.

Kagoshima Ohara Festival (鹿児島おはらまつり)
Time: Early November
Prefecture: Kagoshima
Location: Tenmonkan

Kagoshima's largest annual festival makes its comeback every November, offering vibrant traditional dance parades, taiko performances, and a host of other cultural attractions.

Taking place along the tram line route in the downtown Tenmonkan area, this festival traces its origins back to 1949. It was initiated to commemorate Kagoshima's municipalization, marking 60 years since its establishment. Since then, thousands of attendees gather each year to partake in the festivities, celebrating with traditional music, including the renowned 'Ohara-bushi', which lends its name to the festival.

Daidogei Street Performance World Cup (大道芸ワールドカップin静岡)
Time: Early November
Prefecture: Shizuoka
Location: Shizuoka City Sunpu Castle Park, Shizuoka Cultural Center, Suruga Ward Satellite (Apita Shizuoka Store), Shimizu Ward Satellite (Espals Dream Plaza)

Since 1992, the Daidogei World Cup has been an annual event held every November in the city of Shizuoka. Over the course of four days, Shizuoka transforms into a vibrant living theater, becoming one of Asia’s premier street theater festivals.

The festival attracts top-notch domestic and international artists from around the world who compete against each other to win the favor of millions of visitors attending the event each year. The Daidogei World Cup has become a highlight, showcasing a diverse range of street performances and talents, contributing to the cultural richness of the region.

Jidai Matsuri (時代祭)
Time: Late October
Prefecture: Kyoto
Location: Heian-jingū Shrine, Kyoto Imperial Palace

The Jidai Matsuri is a historical celebration marking the establishment of Kyoto as the Imperial capital in 794 by Emperor Kammu, making it a must-see for history enthusiasts. This grand procession involves over 2000 participants donning costumes representing various eras of Japanese history. The march commences from the Kyoto Imperial Palace in the morning, spanning several kilometers to reach Heian Jingu Shrine.

Notably, geisha take part in the Jidai Matsuri, adorned in junhitoe kimono, known for their elegance and intricate design. Established in 1895, the festival prioritizes authenticity, ensuring that costumes, music, and symbolism remain historically accurate.

Machida Jidai Matsuri (町田時代祭り)
Time: Late October
Prefecture: Tokyo
Location: Serigaya Park

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of traditional Japanese culture at our event, featuring the Jidai Matsuri, a celebration known as the "Period Festival." Witness a historical reenactment portraying the lives of warriors from the Satoyama region in Machida during Japan's feudal period, complete with authentic costumes.

Sasebo Yosakoi Festival (YOSAKOIさせぼ祭り)
Time: End of October
Prefecture: Nagasaki
Location: Sasebo / Huis Ten Bosch

As the most extensive Yosakoi dance festival in Kyushu, its primary goal is to leave a lasting impression, enticing both spectators and participants to return to Sasebo for future festivities. Teams converge from various parts of Japan, showcasing their dynamic dances at multiple venues throughout the city.

Niihama Drum Festival (新居浜太鼓祭り)
Time: Mid October
Prefecture: Ehime
Location: Various Areas in Niihama City

The Niihama Drum Festival stands proudly among the top three festivals in Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku. This autumn taiko festival is a vibrant celebration of the annual harvest, with roots tracing back a thousand years. Rooted in sacred traditions, it holds an indispensable place in the rich history of Niihama City.

Sawara Matsuri (佐原の大祭)
Time: October 11-13
Prefecture: Chiba
Location: Katori

The Sawara Grand Festival (Sawara no Taisai) collectively refers to both the Honjuku Gion Festival in July and the Shinjuku Autumn Festival in October, held in the heart of Sawara, situated in the city of Katori, Chiba Prefecture. Alongside the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival and the Hitachi Kuni Sousha Shrine Grand Festival (Ishioka Festival), it holds prestigious status as one of the three major festivals in the Kanto region. This festival earned its place on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2016.

Naha Great Tug-of-War (那覇大綱挽)
Time: Early October
Prefecture: Okinawa
Location: Kumoji Crossing, Naha

Annually on the Sunday before National Sports Day in Naha, Okinawa, a Tug-of-War event draws in thousands of participants and even larger crowds of spectators. This event holds a remarkable place in the Guinness Book of World Records since 1997, acknowledged as the largest tug-of-war event globally, featuring a 40-metric-ton, 200-meter long rope. Each side of the tug-of-war can accommodate up to 15,000 participants, making it a monumental and highly celebrated gathering.

Fukuro Matsuri (ふくろ祭り)
Time: Late September
Prefecture: Tokyo
Location: Ikebukuro

Originating in 1968 as a promotional initiative for four nearby shopping districts on the western outskirts of Ikebukuro Station, the Fukuro Festival has evolved into a monumental event, firmly establishing itself as one of the premier gatherings in the region. The festivities are divided into two main segments: the inaugural part features a lively mikoshi (portable shrine) parade, while the latter part is dedicated to the exuberant celebration of Yosakoi dancing.

Tokyo Game Show (東京ゲームショウ)
Time: Late September
Prefecture: Tokyo
Location: Makuhari Messe

The Tokyo Game Show continues to stand out as one of the premier gaming exhibitions globally. The initial two days cater exclusively to industry professionals, influencers, and press, while the following two days welcome a broader audience, providing an inclusive experience for gaming enthusiasts.

Fujisaki Hachimangu Festival (藤崎八旛宮秋季例大祭)
Time: Every year on the first Sunday or national holiday after September 16
Prefecture: Kumamoto
Location: Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine

The Grand Festival of Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine takes place in Chūō-ku, Kumamoto, every September. Marked by a procession of Shinto priests, it is notable for the tradition of followers chasing horses while shouting phrases like "Boshita, Boshita" in earlier times, and now, "Dookai Dookai" and other expressions. In recent years, the festival has seen the participation of around 17,000 people.

Kōenji Awa Odori (高円寺阿波踊り)
Time: Late August
Prefecture: Tokyo
Location: Kōenji

Spanning two lively days, the Kōenji Awa Odori Festival immerses participants in an abundance of spirited dancing. In contrast to many events during this season that endure the sweltering daytime temperatures, this festival opts for a more sensible approach by commencing its festivities in the refreshing cool of the evening. Organizers proudly showcase a lineup of 10,000 dancers and musicians, anticipating an impressive turnout of approximately 1 million spectators.

Domannaka Festival (にっぽんど真ん中祭り)
Time: Late August
Prefecture: Nagoya
Location: Hisaya Odori Park

The Nippon Domannaka Festival, commonly known as Domatsuri, reigns as the largest team dance festival in the Chūbu region of central Japan and stands as one of Nagoya's most renowned events.

Harajuku Omotesando Super Yosakoi (原宿表参道元氣祭スーパーよさこい)
Time: Late August
Prefecture: Tokyo
Location: Yoyogi Park

This colossal dance festival features an impressive scale, with 6,000 performers from dance groups across Japan vying for the top spot. The festivities include a vibrant parade in front of NHK, taking place along the avenue within Yoyogi Park that connects the park to Shibuya on both days.

Hibiya Park Marunouchi Ondo Bon Odori Festival (日比谷公園丸の内音頭大盆踊り大会)
Time: Late August
Prefecture: Tokyo
Location: Hibiya Park

The Marunouchi Ondo Bon Odori Festival takes place at the central Hibiya Park and is one of Tokyo's most accessible and largest Bon Odori festivals.

During the event, a diverse array of participants, including employees from businesses in the Marunouchi area, local residents, and tourists (with an expected 40,000 participants), join in dancing circles around the central fountain to the rhythm of the "Marunouchi Ondo." This iconic dance, composed in 1932 by Yaso Saijo and Shinpei Nakayama, forms the basis of the renowned Bon Odori song, "Tokyo Ondo." The festival not only offers a lively and inclusive celebration but also pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of Tokyo.

Summer Sonic (サマーソニック)
Time: Mid Aug
Prefecture: Osaka
Location: Ookini Arena Maishima

The Summer Sonic Festival is a yearly music event that takes place over a single weekend in August, concurrently in Chiba and Osaka, Japan. The festival showcases a unified lineup performing on one day in Osaka, followed by a performance the next day in Chiba, and vice versa.

Sado Earth Celebration (アース・セレブレーション)
Time: Aug 16-18
Prefecture: Niigata
Location: Ogi town

Since 1988, the breathtaking natural beauty of Sado has provided the backdrop for Earth Celebration (EC), an international arts festival promoting an alternative global culture through collaborative musical and cultural endeavors with artists from across the globe. Developed by Kodo in collaboration with the inhabitants of Sado Island, EC holds the distinction of being Japan's longest-running music festival and has been recognized by the New York Times as "Japan's leading music event."

Awa Odori (阿波おどり)
Time: August 12-15
Prefecture: Tokushima
Location: Tokushima Station Area

The festival is the most renowned among Japan's numerous dance festivals held during the mid-August Obon season. Awa was the previous name for Tokushima Prefecture, and Odori means dance. Thousands of spectators and dancers converge on Tokushima to witness this centuries-old "Fool's Dance." The nickname originates from the lyrics of a popular dance song: "Fools dance and fools watch, if both are fools, you might as well dance."

Sanuki Takamatsu Festival (さぬき高松まつり)
Time: August 12-14
Prefecture: Kagawa
Location: Takamatsu Central Park, Sunport Takamatsu, and other locations

As one of Shikoku's renowned quartet of festivals, this event has become a summertime tradition cherished by both residents and visitors. The central venue for stage performances is Takamatsu Central Park, offering a focal point for the festivities. Additionally, the main street comes alive with vibrant so-odori dances, contributing to the lively and exhilarating summer nights in Takamatsu.

Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri (富岡八幡宮 例大祭)
Time: Mid Aug
Prefecture: Tokyo
Location: Tomioka Hachimangū Shrine

The Fukagawa Festival holds a distinguished status as one of Tokyo's three prominent Shintō festivals, alongside the Sanno Matsuri and the Kanda Matsuri.

Sendai Tanabata Festival (仙台七夕まつり)
Time: August 6 - 8
Prefecture: Sendai
Location: Chichibu Shrine

Tanabata, translating to the '7th evening,' is a festival observed on various dates across Japan. Among these celebrations, the Sendai version holds particular prominence, hailed as one of the three major summer festivals in the Tōhoku region. In fact, the Sendai Tanabata Festival is so renowned that it has become synonymous with the city of Sendai itself, standing out as the most famous iteration of this traditional event.

Yamagata Hanagasa Festival (花笠まつり)
Time: August 5-7
Prefecture: Yamagata
Location: Yamagata

Commencing in 1963, the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival has evolved into a prominent event in Tohoku, drawing over a million visitors over its three-day duration. Central to the festival is the hanagasa, a hat adorned with red safflowers worn by performers engaging in traditional dances. The lively parade, featuring brightly decorated floats, comprises 100 groups, each approximately 100 members strong. As they traverse the main street of Yamagata City, echoes of "Yassho! Makasho!" fill the air—an homage to the calls of laborers during irrigation work on the outskirts of Yamagata Prefecture.