Events and Festivals in Japan

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…

Bunkyo Azalea Festival

Late Mar 〜 Late Apr 2026

One of the five flower festivals of Bunkyo Ward, this time Nezu Shrine takes the spotlight. The Azalea…

Kanamara Matsuri

Early Apr 2026

Kanamara Matsuri (otherwise known as the “Penis Festival” or “Festival of the Steel Phallus”) is an annual festival…

Hana Matsuri

Apr 8 / 10:00 AM 〜 3:00 PM

This event at Sensoji Temple celebrates the Buddha’s birthday on 8 April and is more formally called Bussho-e…

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Apr 〜 May 2026

From mid April through to the end of May 800,000 shibazakura flowers (pink moss or phlox moss) come…

Oiran Dochu

Mid Apr 2026

Oiran (花魁) is a word used to refer to the high-class prostitutes that worked in the Yoshiwara red-light…

Nikko Yayoi Festival

Apr 13 〜 Apr 17

The Yayoi Festival (弥生祭, Yayoi Matsuri) is held on the 13 to 17 of April each year at…

Hitsujiyama Park Shibazakura Hill

Apr 17 〜 May 10

From mid-April until early May each year Shibazakura Hill in Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu turns a sea of…

Darkness Festival

Apr 30 〜 May 5

Kurayami Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s most popular festivals and one with a rich and long history with…

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.