Events and Festivals in Japan

New Year Tokyo Sumo Tournament

Jan 11 〜 Jan 25

Six major sumo tournaments (called honbasho) are held during the year—one on each odd month, each taking place…

Sapporo Snow Festival

Early Feb 2026

What started off in 1950 as community event to display six snow statues made by local high school…

Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Feb 2026

Started by the Chinese community in Nagasaki to celebrate the Chinese New Year, this festival of lights has…

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival

Early 〜 Mid Feb 2026

The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (小樽雪あかりの路, Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi) began in 1999 with the hope…

Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival

Feb 15 〜 Feb 16

The ritual of hollowing out a mound of snow and building a small hut like an igloo is…

Some no Komichi

Late Feb 2026

Until the 1950s, many dying factories could be found along the river near Nakai Station in Shinjuku Ward…

Saidaiji Eyo (“Naked Festival”)

Feb 21

The Saidaiji Eyō (西大寺会陽), more commonly known as the Hadaka Matsuri (“Naked Festival”), gets more international media attention…

CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show

Feb 26 〜 Mar 1

The CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show is Japan’s biggest photography event where the likes of Nikon, Canon,…

Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatoro

Early 〜 Mid Mar 2026

Hanatoro (花灯路, Hanatōro) is a 10-day long illumination that takes place in Kyoto’s Higashiyama in March and Arashiyama…

March Osaka Sumo Tournament

Mar 8 〜 Mar 22

Six major sumo tournaments (called honbasho) are held during the year—one on each odd month, each taking place…

A calendar of all the major events and festivals in Japan. Wherever possible, the link to the event’s official website is provided and visitors are advised to confirm scheduling details on the official website before attending to ensure there have not been any last minute changes.