Events not to be missed: festivals, cultural events, sporting events, etc.
The “Japanese events not to be missed” category invites you to discover Japanese culture in all its diversity. These are Japan’s largest and most colorful events, bringing together festivals, cultural events, sporting events and other similar activities.
Spring and summer festivals
Japan is known for its vibrant festivals, such as the Spring and Summer Festivals. The streets are filled with color, music, food and drink, as people celebrate the season. Festivals are often associated with processions, dances, fireworks and children’s activities.
Artistic events
Artistic events are another important aspect of Japanese culture. Art exhibitions, music concerts, theater performances and film festivals are held regularly throughout the country. This is an ideal opportunity for art lovers to discover local and international talents.
Culinary events
Japan is also known for its fine cuisine, and culinary events are a great way to experience it. Sake tastings, street food festivals and gastronomy events are held regularly throughout the country.
Sports competition
For sports fans, Japan also offers exciting competitions, such as horse races, marathons, golf tournaments and ski competitions. Sports competitions are often accompanied by celebrations and parties, making them a fun and exciting way to experience Japanese culture.
Ideal Travel Planning
This category is a perfect way for travelers to plan their trip to Japan based on the activities that interest them most. It is possible to experience the most interesting and unique aspects of Japanese culture, while enjoying the country’s biggest and most colorful events.
In summary, the “Japanese events not to be missed” category offers you the opportunity to discover the cultural richness of Japan, from gastronomy to music, including sports and the arts.
Yayoi Matsuri Festival: A Colorful Celebration in Japan
Yayoi Matsuri is an annual festival celebrated in Nikko, a city located in Tochigi Prefecture in Japan. During this festival, the local deity, Futarasan, is…
The Sanno Matsuri Festival at Hie-jinja Shrine in Takayama
The Sanno Matsuri celebration is an annual festival held at Hie-jinja Shrine in Takayama. It is a city located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. This festival…
Miyako Odori, dance show in Kyoto
Miyako Odori is a traditional Japanese dance performance that takes place every year in Kyoto, Japan. The Miyako Odori Executive Committee organizes this show. This…
Hana Matsuri: The Celebration of the Birth of the Buddha
Hana Matsuri is also known as the Flower Festival or Buddha’s Birthday. Hana Matsuri is an annual Buddhist celebration celebrated in Japan and other parts…
Beppu Hatto Spring Festival: A Japanese Celebration
Nestled in Oita Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu in Japan, the city of Beppu is renowned for its hot springs and its festive atmosphere.…
The White Day: Sweet celebration of love and friendship
White Day is a Japanese tradition full of sweetness and delicacy. It is a unique celebration which takes place on March 14 each year. While…
Omizutori, Nara festival announcing spring
Omizutori (お水取り) or the Torch Festival is a Buddhist religious rite. It is celebrated every year in the Nigatsu-do of the Todai-ji temple, in Nara,…
Hina Matsuri: Discover the Doll Festival
Hina Matsuri is a holiday celebrated in Japan every year on March 3. It is also called the “Doll Festival”. Why this name? Due to…
Exploring the Traditional Jindaiji Daruma Doll Fair
In the heart of Japan, the Jindaiji Daruma Doll Fair offers a captivating immersion in centuries-old tradition and artisan craftsmanship. Located in the Chofu district…
The Yokote Kamakura Festival: A Snowy Japanese Celebration
The Yokote Kamakura Festival is an iconic winter celebration that takes place every year in Yokote, a city located in Akita Prefecture, Japan. This traditional…
Valentine’s Day and White Day in Japan
Valentine’s Day and White Day(Howaito dē) are very popular holidays in Japan. They are celebrated by lovers, families and even friends! Let’s find out how…
Nara Lantern Festival: A Luminous Fairy in Japan
Every year, at dusk in autumn, the city of Nara lights up with a warm, magical glow during the Lantern Festival. This enchanting event is…
The Sapporo Snow Festival: Yuki Matsuri
The Sapporo Snow Festival, also known as Yuki Matsuri, is one of the most iconic winter events in Japan. Every year, this spectacular celebration transforms…
Yamayaki: The Fire Festival on Mount Wakakusa
In the heart of the city of Nara, Japan, an ancestral tradition sets the skies ablaze and illuminates Mount Wakakusa every fourth Saturday in January.…
Sumo Tournaments : Exploration of this Japanese Sport
Sumo, a sport steeped in tradition and ceremony, has held a central place in Japanese culture for centuries. Indeed, sumo tournaments, called “honbasho”, are spectacular…
The Dontosai Festival in Miyagi: Celebration and Renewal
The Dontosai Festival in Miyagi: Celebration and Renewal The Dontosai Festival, a ritual unique to Miyagi Prefecture, marks a vibrant celebration of renewal and spiritual…
The Ebisu Festival in Osaka: Prosperity and Good Fortune
Ebisu Festival, or Toka Ebisu, is an annual celebration held in Osaka, Japan. It celebrates the god Ebisu, a Shinto deity associated with commercial prosperity,…
The Seijin no Hi celebration : Coming of Age day in Japan
“Seijin no Hi,” also known as Coming of Age Day, is a significant celebration in Japan. In fact, it marks the attainment of legal majority,…
Festival of Seven Herbs : Japanese New Year Tradition
Nanakusa Gayu, or seven herb broth (七草粥, nanakusa-gayu), is a Japanese culinary tradition. In fact, it dates back more than 1,000 years. So, every year,…
Dezomeshiki in Tokyo: The Japanese Firefighters Parade
Every year at the beginning of January, Tokyo becomes the scene of a spectacular event known as “Dezomeshiki” (出初式). It is an impressive parade showcasing…
New Year in Japan: the country’s most important holiday
New Year’s Day, or “Oshogatsu” in Japanese, is one of the most significant and anticipated festivities in Japan. This celebration is of particular significance, not…
Christmas in Japan
Christmas is a festive time for many cultures around the world, and Japan is no exception. Although the country is not traditionally Christian, the celebration…
Momijigari : An Ode to the Ephemeral Beauty of Autumn
The Momijigari event, a tradition deeply rooted in Japanese culture, is an annual celebration that captures the imagination of all those lucky enough to experience…
Kinrō Kansha no Hi: Celebration of Work and Gratitude in Japan
At the heart of Japanese culture lies a special day dedicated to honoring hard work and expressing gratitude to society’s contributors. Kinrō Kansha no Hi,…
Shichi-go-San: Celebrating Growth and Maturity in Japan
The Shichi-go-San festival, literally “seven-five-three” in Japanese, is a traditional celebration that marks crucial milestones in the lives of Japanese children. This holiday, observed on…
Jidai Matsuri in Kyoto : A Visual Epic Through the Ages of Japanese History
The Jidai Matsuri, or Festival of Ages, is one of the most iconic events in Kyoto, Japan. Celebrated annually on October 22, this impressive festival…
The Kurama Fire Festival : An Epic Celebration in the Heart of Japan
Japan, rich in centuries-old traditions and colorful festivals, is home to the Kurama Fire Festival, a spectacular celebration that captures the fiery spirit of Japanese…
The Great Autumn Shuki Taisai Festival at Toshogu Shrine in Nikko
Japan is a land of deep tradition and culture, where festivals are must-see events to celebrate the history, religion and beauty of each season. One…
Hachiman Matsuri in Takayama: A Millennium Festival of Tradition and Splendor
Located in Gifu Prefecture, the charming town of Takayama is home to Hachiman Matsuri, one of Japan’s most famous and traditional autumn festivals. This annual…
Sports Festival (Taiiku no Hi) in Japan: Celebration of Health, Well-being and Sports Culture
In Japan, Sports Festival, or “Taiiku no Hi” in Japanese, is a special day celebrated every year on the second Monday in October. This national…
REITA-Sai in Kamakura: The Shinto Archery Event
The major annual festival at Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine in Kamakura, known as REITA-Sai, shines as one of the most notable moments in Japan’s Shinto festivities…
Earth Celebration on Sado Island – A Festival Celebrating Art and Nature
Earth Celebration is a one-of-a-kind annual festival held on Sado Island, Japan. This artistic and cultural event, created in 1988, is organized by the famous…
Obon in Japan: Tradition, Meaning and Celebrations
At the heart of Japanese culture lies a period imbued with spirituality and commemoration: the Obon. This annual celebration, also known as the “Day of…
The Awa Dance Festival (Awa Odori) in Tokushima
Japan is renowned for its colorful traditional festivals, and among them, the Awa Dance Festival (Awa Odori) in Tokushima is one of the most iconic.…
Tanabata Matsuri in Sendai: Vibrant Celebration of Love and the Stars
The Tanabata Matsuri, also known as the Festival of Stars, is a traditional Japanese event that takes place every year in Sendai, a vibrant city…
The Hiroshima Bomb: A Devastating Tragedy That Made History
The Hiroshima bombing is a tragic event that took place on August 6, 1945, during World War II. This atomic bomb, dropped by the United…
Nebuta Matsuri in Hirosaki: A fiery celebration of Japanese history and culture
The Nebuta Matsuri in Hirosaki is one of Japan’s most impressive festivals, celebrating the history and culture of the Aomori region. Each year, thousands of…
Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai: A Stunning Fireworks Show in Tokyo
Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai, also known as the Sumida River Fireworks Festival, is one of the most anticipated summer events in Tokyo, Japan. Every year, thousands…
Kyoto Gion Festival: an enchanting cultural heritage celebrated with passion
The Gion Festival is one of the most emblematic and eagerly awaited events of the year in Kyoto, Japan. Celebrated for over a thousand years,…
Nachino-Ogi Festival: A fiery celebration of the Kumano Nachi Fire
The Nachino-Ogi Festival, also known as the Kumano Nachi Fire Festival, is an annual event steeped in tradition and spirituality that takes place in Kumano…
HAKATA Gion Yamagasa in Fukuoka: An ancestral celebration of culture and tradition
HAKATA Gion Yamagasa is one of Japan’s oldest and most emblematic festivals, celebrated every year in Fukuoka, in the prefecture of the same name. This…
The Sanno Matsuri Procession
The Sanno Matsuri (山 王 祭), also known as the Sanno Festival, is one of the largest Shinto festivals in Tokyo along with the Fukagawa…
TAKIGI NOH at Heian Shrine
Takigi Noh is a traditional Noh performance held outdoors at the Heian Shrine in Kyoto, Japan. This annual event is a unique experience that offers…
The Koromogae: change of uniform
Koromogae is an ancient Japanese ritual practice of changing seasonal clothes. It is usually performed twice a year, in spring and fall, to celebrate the start of each season. This practice is seen as a way to purify the soul and renew the mind in preparation for the upcoming seasonal changes. Koromogae is a highly respected ritual in Japan and is often associated with other spiritual and religious practices, such as
Experience the festive fervor at the SANJA Matsuri in Asakusa!
SANJA Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s most famous and lively festivals, taking place on the third weekend of every May at Asakusa’s Kannon Shrine, Sensō-ji.…
Toshogu Shrine Festival in Nikko
The Toshogu Shrine Festival in Nikko is one of the most famous and anticipated events in the Tochigi area of Japan. The spring festival (Shunki…
In the heart of Kyoto: immerse yourself in the magic of the AOI Matsuri
The AOI Matsuri is one of the most famous festivals in Kyoto, a city located in the Kansai region of Japan. This festival is also…
Midori no Hi celebration green day in Japan
Midori no Hi, also known as Green Earth Day, is celebrated every year in Japan on May 5. This day is dedicated to the celebration…