The 10 Most Famous Festivals in Japan

The Gion Festival is one of Japan's largest and most significant celebrations, held annually at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto during the month of July. Its purpose is to pray for good health and to drive away epidemics. The festival involves sacred rituals designed to bring peace of mind, dispel fear, and maintain a calm and tranquil spirit. The grand procession features 32 beautifully decorated Yama floats with puppets, pine trees, and historical tablets. The Hoko float, a two-tiered platform, carries traditional Japanese musicians, and even performances from Persia and Europe, as it parades along the grand streets of Kyoto. This festival stands as one of the most exciting and meaningful in Japan.

The Shichi-go-san Festival is celebrated for children aged three to seven years old. Held annually on November 15th, the festival is a sight to behold, with boys and girls dressed in beautiful, colorful traditional kimonos. Each child holds a paper bag adorned with images of cranes and turtles, symbols of health and longevity. The tradition dates back to the Edo period, when the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu prayed for his five-year-old son at a Shinto shrine. This festival marks the milestone of childhood development, offering thanks to the gods for their protection and praying for the continued well-being of the children.

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival takes place on the last Saturday of July each year. This spectacular fireworks display features continuous explosions of color launched from two locations: the Taito district, home to the famous Sensoji Temple, and the Sumida district, where the Tokyo Skytree stands. The first launch site near the Sakurai Bridge sets off approximately 9,350 fireworks, while the second location near the Komagatai Bridge launches around 10,650, bringing the total to over 20,000 fireworks. The festival dates back to the Edo period, nearly 400 years ago, when a famine caused many deaths in 1732. To soothe the spirits of the deceased and ward off disease, the 8th Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune held a water deity festival known as the “Ryogoku Fireworks Festival,” marking the beginning of what is now the Sumida River Fireworks Festival. There are various types of fireworks, such as the “Starmine,” which fires large volleys into the sky, and “Shikake Hanabi,” which forms intricate shapes and numbers. The large, round fireworks known as “Warimono” are particularly stunning and worth watching, even when fired individually.

In Japan, it seems like there's a vibrant festival or ceremony every weekend, each bursting with color and reflecting the nation's cultural spirit. One of the most notable celebrations is Tanabata, or the Star Festival, traditionally held in August, although the exact date varies by region. Tanabata, which means 'Stargazing,' is one of the most enchanting and romantic festivals in Japan. The origins of this festival trace back to China, where it is known as the Qixi Festival or the Cowherd and Weaver Girl Festival. While the tradition exists in several countries, nowhere else in the world does it take on such a magical form as in Japan, with images of bamboo trees adorned with colorful strips of paper filled with wishes.

The Awa Odori Matsuri is a traditional dance festival held in Tokushima Prefecture. In Japanese, 'Odori' means dance, 'Matsuri' means festival, and 'Awa' refers to the old name of Tokushima. The festival originated in 1586 when Lord Hachisuka Iamasa, celebrating the completion of Tokushima Castle, distributed sake to the townspeople. As the alcohol took effect, the people spontaneously stood up and began dancing. This lively dance, now called Awa Odori, was born from that moment. Every year, in mid-August, the entire Tokushima Prefecture comes alive with the festival atmosphere. The largest and most famous event is held in Tokushima City, but the festival has since spread to other regions, including Tokyo. For those who can't make it to Tokushima, they can participate in the festival in Koenji, a popular spot in Tokyo. Participants' costumes are not only beautifully designed but also deeply traditional. Male dancers wear half-body yukatas (a simpler form of kimono), with a head wrap, white socks, and carry a fan or small lantern. Female dancers wear long yukatas, a traditional hat, and wooden geta sandals, which make movement difficult. The women's yukatas are specially designed for easier dancing, with a smaller obi belt to allow more freedom of movement.

Kangen is a traditional form of Japanese music performed using nine instruments: three stringed instruments (wagon, biwa, koto), three types of drums (kakko, taiko, shoko), and three different flutes (sho, hichiriki, ryuteki). In ancient Japan, the festival became a gathering where nobles enjoyed listening to orchestras performing from elegant boats, with kangen music accompanying the performances. The festival features a lively boat parade, where brightly decorated boats glide across the water, accompanied by three smaller boats adorned with strings of lanterns, creating a 'floating stage.' Other boats surround this stage, offering a perfect view for both visitors and dignitaries. It’s a magical setting for shared meals with family and friends, all while enjoying the soothing music. The ceremony begins with the Shin-to ritual at Itsukushima Shrine at 4 p.m. and continues until midnight. After the temple rituals, festival-goers march through the Torii gate and board boats carrying a portable shrine, believed to bring the gods of Itsukushima to the floating stage on the goza-bune boat for the celebration.

Japan is renowned for its diverse cultural festivals that attract both locals and international visitors. For those who enjoy the performing arts, especially music and dance, the Hanagasa Matsuri, or the Flower Hat Festival, is a must-see. This festival is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition and stands out from the many other celebrations across the country. Hanagasa Matsuri is one of Japan’s major festivals, and you shouldn't miss it. The festival features dancers wearing traditional costumes and flower-adorned hats known as 'Hanagasa,' decorated with artificial flowers. During the Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri, around 100 groups of dancers, part of a total of 10,000 participants, parade through the main streets of Yamagata City, accompanied by the vibrant sounds of hanagasa-daiko drums. The festival is filled with excitement, with the energetic chants of 'Yassho! Makkasho!' and the lively rhythms of drums creating a festive atmosphere that is truly infectious.

Hanami is a time-honored Japanese tradition, celebrated in late March and early April. The term Hanami, derived from the Japanese words 'Hana' meaning flower and 'Mi' meaning to view, refers to the act of appreciating the beauty of flowers, especially cherry blossoms. For the Japanese, cherry blossoms symbolize fleeting beauty and melancholy, reflecting the transient nature of life. The cherry blossom is also seen as a symbol of peace, representing Japan's peaceful ties with other countries. The Japanese often say, 'A flower is a cherry blossom, a person is a samurai,' highlighting the impermanence of both nature and life’s aesthetic beauty, urging people to cherish them while they last.

Hanami occurs during cool, pleasant weather, perfect for gatherings where people come together to share food, such as sushi and bento boxes, while sipping Hanamizake. Major cities like Tokyo and Osaka see large crowds attending the festivities, and if you happen to visit Japan during this season, participating in Hanami will give you a deeper understanding of the cultural significance and human values that the Japanese continue to uphold today.

In contrast to neighboring countries such as Korea, China, and Vietnam, Japan celebrates its traditional New Year according to the Western calendar, calling it 'Oshougatsu.' It is the most important festival in Japan, lasting for several days. On New Year's Eve (December 31), the Japanese typically perform a thorough cleaning of their homes and decorate with traditional items like 'kadomatsu' (three fresh bamboo stalks with pine branches), 'shimenawa' (sacred ropes for purification), and 'kagami mochi' (mirror-shaped rice cakes) to welcome the new year. During the New Year's Day, they enjoy special foods like 'osechi ryouri' (lunch boxes with symbolic New Year dishes) for good fortune, and 'toshi-koshi soba' (buckwheat noodles) to bid farewell to the old year. On January 1st, most Japanese people go to see the first sunrise of the year and then visit temples to pray for blessings. For children, receiving 'otoshidama' (New Year's money) from parents and relatives is one of the most exciting parts of the celebration.

Obon is a traditional Japanese lantern festival, celebrated annually in either spring or autumn, with the main purpose of expressing gratitude and respect for one's parents and ancestors. It is also a time to visit ancestral graves and pay tribute to those who have passed. During the festival, Japanese families light lanterns in front of their homes to invite the spirits of their loved ones to return and visit. They also set out colorful rice cakes and fruits on altars as offerings. In addition, people participate in traditional singing and dancing known as 'Bon Odori,' often wearing the traditional attire 'Yukata.'