Japanese Festival Calendar 2026

Massive snow and ice sculptures line Odori Park and Susukino in one of Japan's most famous winter events. Over two million visitors come to see the illuminated creations each February (dates sometimes start late January).

Bean-throwing festival marking the start of spring. Temples across Japan hold ceremonies where beans are thrown to drive out evil spirits — Kyoto's Yoshida Shrine and major temples draw huge crowds.

Hundreds of igloo-like snow houses (kamakura) are built throughout the city, each with a small altar inside. Children invite visitors in for amazake (sweet rice wine) and mochi — a magical winter scene.

One of Japan's most spectacular Lunar New Year celebrations — Nagasaki's Chinese community (dating to the 17th-century trading port era) hangs 15,000 lanterns across Chinatown and Hamano-machi for 15 nights. In 2026, the festival runs February 17 through March 3 (Year of the Horse). Dragon dances, lion dances, and Chinese zodiac dragon floats parade through lantern-lit streets. The harbor and Confucian Shrine (Koshi-byo) are especially atmospheric. This is the largest Lunar New Year event in Japan and one of the most photogenic festivals in the entire country.

Japan's largest Chinatown — Yokohama's 600+ restaurant and shop strip near Motomachi — celebrates Lunar New Year with dragon dances, lion performances, and firecracker ceremonies that run for two weeks. In 2026, Chinese New Year falls on February 17. The area's four ceremonial gates are decorated with red lanterns. Mazu-byo (sea goddess temple) holds packed ceremonies. The combination of Japanese city surroundings and vivid Chinese celebration creates a uniquely atmospheric experience — and the Chinese food in Yokohama Chinatown is among the best in Japan.

A 1,200-year-old fire and water ceremony at Todai-ji's Nigatsu-do hall. Monks carry enormous torches along the balcony while sacred water is drawn from a well below — marking the arrival of spring.

Cherry blossom viewing is Japan's most beloved spring tradition. Parks across Tokyo — Ueno, Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi — fill with picnickers celebrating under canopies of pink blossoms.

Elaborate floats (yatai) with mechanical puppets are paraded through the streets of this Edo-period mountain town. One of Japan's three most beautiful festivals, held at Hie Shrine.

Tokyo's wildest festival — dozens of mikoshi (portable shrines) are carried through the streets of Asakusa by thousands of participants in traditional happi coats. Nearly two million spectators attend.

One of Kyoto's three great festivals. A procession of 500 people in Heian-period costumes walks from the Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines — a living window into 6th-century court culture.

Held every other year at Hie Shrine in Akasaka, this Edo-era festival features a grand procession of mikoshi and festival floats through central Tokyo's modern skyscraper district.

Japan's most famous festival — a month-long celebration centered on massive yamaboko floats paraded through Kyoto's streets. The Yamaboko Junko procession on July 17 is the highlight, drawing hundreds of thousands.

One of Japan's top three festivals. A river procession of illuminated boats on the Okawa River, followed by a massive fireworks display — Osaka at its most spectacular and festive.

Giant illuminated paper floats depicting warriors and mythical figures are paraded through the streets while dancers shout "Rassera!" One of the most visually stunning festivals in Japan.

Japan's largest dance festival — over a million spectators watch as thousands of dancers perform the traditional Awa dance through the streets. "The dancing fool and the watching fool are both fools, so you might as well dance."

The Buddhist festival honoring ancestors. Families return to hometowns, visit graves, and participate in bon odori dances. Kyoto's Gozan no Okuribi (Daimonji) fires on the mountainsides are the most iconic Obon event.

A historical parade of 2,000 people in costumes spanning 1,000 years of Kyoto history, from the Heian period to the Meiji era. One of Kyoto's three great festivals, held on October 22.

The autumn counterpart to the spring festival, held at Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine. Eleven ornate floats with karakuri (mechanical puppets) are paraded under autumn foliage.

Children aged 3, 5, and 7 visit shrines in traditional kimono to celebrate their growth and pray for health. Meiji Shrine in Tokyo sees thousands of families on November 15.

One of Japan's three great float festivals. Massive illuminated floats are hauled up steep slopes to the cheers of spectators, capped by a spectacular fireworks display against the winter sky.