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Unmissable Japanese Festivals – My Top 5 Picks! (2025 Summer Guide)
Major Festivals in Japan (July–December 2025 + February 2026)
| Date | Location | Festival | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1–31, 2025 | Kyoto | Gion Festival | One of Japan’s top three festivals. Highlights include the Yamaboko float processions on July 17 and 24, with food stalls and festive atmosphere throughout the city. |
| July 24–25, 2025 | Osaka | Tenjin Festival | Famous for both land and river parades, this festival includes a boat procession and fireworks display over the Okawa River. |
| August 2–7, 2025 | Aomori | Aomori Nebuta Festival | Large, illuminated warrior floats are pulled through the streets, accompanied by dancers and traditional music. A dynamic summer event. |
| August 3–6, 2025 | Akita | Akita Kanto Festival | Performers balance massive poles with dozens of paper lanterns using their heads, shoulders, and hands in a mesmerizing display. |
| August 6–8, 2025 | Sendai | Sendai Tanabata Festival | Colorful paper decorations fill the streets in Japan’s most famous star festival, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. |
| August 9–12, 2025 | Kochi | Yosakoi Festival | A vibrant dance parade with teams in elaborate costumes performing energetic routines to modern music with clappers. |
| August 11–15, 2025 | Tokushima | Awa Odori | Japan’s biggest traditional dance festival. Everyone is invited to dance in the streets with the famous call: “It’s a fool who dances and a fool who watches.” |
| September 14–15, 2025 (TBD) | Kishiwada, Osaka | Kishiwada Danjiri Festival | High-speed float pulling through narrow streets. Thrilling and energetic, this is one of Japan’s most intense festivals. |
| October 9–10, 2025 | Takayama, Gifu | Autumn Takayama Festival | Beautiful floats with intricate craftsmanship and puppet performances parade through a historic townscape. |
| October 22, 2025 | Kyoto | Jidai Festival | A historic procession showcasing Japanese costumes from different eras, from ancient Kyoto to the Meiji period. |
| February 4–11, 2026 (TBD) | Sapporo, Hokkaido | Sapporo Snow Festival | World-famous snow and ice sculpture festival held at three sites: Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome. A magical winter experience. |
One of the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku, the Aomori Nebuta Festival lights up the summer nights with its dazzling parade of massive illuminated floats. These vibrant, three-dimensional works of art glide through the streets, creating a magical atmosphere. While the roadsides can get extremely crowded with spectators, why not enjoy the spectacle from a reserved seat for a more relaxed experience? Dinner bento box–included tour package is very popular—so be sure to book early!
Only for three days—August 12th, 13th, and 14th! How about experiencing Japan’s largest traditional dance festival, the Awa Odori? This action-packed bus tour departing from Osaka offers much more than just the Awa Odori. You’ll also enjoy a Naruto whirlpool cruise and visit Naoshima, the world-famous art island. It’s a fantastic way to dive into Japanese culture, nature, and art—all in one unforgettable trip!