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Japan's Greatest Festivals

From ancient Shinto matsuri to spectacular fireworks hanabi — discover the celebrations that define the Japanese spirit across every season.

🌸 Hanami 🎆 Hanabi 🏮 Matsuri ⛩️ Shrine Festivals 🎊 Seasonal
Browse by Season

Find Festivals by Season

🌸
Spring
320 festivals
Mar – May
🌻
Summer
480 festivals
Jun – Aug
🍁
Autumn
290 festivals
Sep – Nov
❄️
Winter
210 festivals
Dec – Feb
Hanami Festival
🌸 Editor's Pick — Spring 2026

Hanami Cherry Blossom Celebration

Hanami — the centuries-old tradition of gathering beneath blooming cherry trees — is perhaps Japan's most beloved seasonal event. Communities across Japan come together in parks and along riverbanks to celebrate the fleeting beauty of sakura.

In 2026, Grill And Bite has partnered with local preservation groups to host guided hanami walks, bento picnic events, and live koto performances in over 80 parks nationwide.

Season
Late March – April
Top Location
Ueno Park, Tokyo
Admission
Free
Peak Bloom
Late March 2026
Find Hanami Events →
Festival Directory

2026 Festival Highlights

Hanabi August
📅 Aug 1📍 Sumida River, Tokyo

Sumida River Hanabi Taikai

One of Tokyo's oldest fireworks festivals — 20,000 fireworks over the Sumida River with traditional yukata-clad crowds and festival food.

FreeDetails →
Osaka Festival June
📅 Jun 20–22📍 Namba, Osaka

Osaka Night Street Festival

Namba district transforms into a sea of lanterns, traditional dances, and street food for three unforgettable summer nights.

FreeDetails →
Gion Matsuri July
📅 Jul 1–31📍 Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto

Gion Matsuri — The Grand Procession

Japan's most celebrated festival spanning the entire month of July, culminating in the spectacular Yamaboko Junko float parade on July 17th.

FreeDetails →
Sakura March–April
📅 Mar 20–Apr 10📍 Ueno Park, Tokyo

Ueno Sakura Festival

Tokyo's most beloved cherry blossom festival under 1,000 sakura trees — with nightly illuminations, live performances, and hundreds of food stalls.

FreeDetails →
Taiko July
📅 Jul 14–16📍 Osaka Castle Park

Great Osaka Taiko Festival

Two hundred taiko drummers representing groups from across Japan converge on Osaka Castle Park for Japan's most powerful percussion festival.

Free / ¥500Details →
Folk Dance August
📅 Aug 12–15📍 Tokushima

Awa Odori Folk Dance Festival

Japan's largest dance festival — over 100,000 performers and 1.3 million spectators gather to dance the awa odori through the streets of Tokushima.

Free / ¥1,000Details →
Festival Calendar 2026

Plan Your Festival Year

🌱 March
  • Omizutori Nara Mar 1
  • Hina Matsuri Mar 3
  • Sakura Opening Mar 25
🌸 April
  • Ueno Sakura Fest Apr 1
  • Takayama Spring Apr 14
  • Kamakura Odori Apr 20
🌿 May
  • Hakata Dontaku May 3
  • Kanda Matsuri May 10
  • Aoi Matsuri May 15
☔ June
  • Osaka Night Fest Jun 20
  • Sanno Matsuri Jun 15
  • Nachi Fire Fest Jun 22
☀️ July
  • Gion Matsuri Jul 1–31
  • Taiko Festival Jul 14
  • Tanabata Star Fest Jul 7
🏮 August
  • Sumida Hanabi Aug 1
  • Awa Odori Aug 12
  • Obon Bon Odori Aug 15
🍁 September
  • Kishiwada Danjiri Sep 17
  • Tsurugaoka Fest Sep 16
🍂 October
  • Sake Open Fest Oct 10
  • Nagasaki Kunchi Oct 7
  • Autumn Leaves Fest Oct 25
🌾 November
  • Shichi-Go-San Nov 15
  • Momiji Matsuri Nov 10
❄️ December
  • Chichibu Night Fest Dec 3
  • Toshi no Ichi Dec 17