Top 10 Summer Festivals in Japan 2025/2026

Gion Matsuri is Kyoto's most iconic festival, held throughout July with its main parades on the 17th and 24th. Originating over a thousand years ago as a purification ritual to appease the gods during an epidemic, the festival has become a month-long celebration of Kyoto's rich cultural heritage. The most famous attractions are the “Yamaboko Junko” parades, where massive, elaborately decorated floats are pulled through central Kyoto. Many of these floats are adorned with tapestries and ornaments from both Japan and abroad, resembling mobile art museums. Evening events feature lively street food markets, people in colorful yukatas, and traditional performances. Walking through the lantern-lit streets during Gion Matsuri feels like stepping into a living Edo-era painting. Due to its historical significance and grand scale, Gion Matsuri is a must-see for anyone visiting Japan in summer, offering a deep dive into Kyoto's traditions, community spirit, and visual splendor.

• Location: Shijo-dori, Kyoto (centered on Yasaka Shrine)
• Time: July 1-31, 2025 (Main parades: July 17 and 24)

• What to do:

1. Enjoy the Yamaboko parade (large float parade)
2. Wear yukata to visit the night market and eat festival snacks (takoyaki, goldfish ice cream, etc.)
3. Watch traditional music performances and geisha performances
4. Visit Yasaka Shrine
5. Take photos and check in and buy Gion-exclusive goods

2. Sumida River Fireworks Festival (Tokyo)

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival, held annually on the last Saturday of July, is one of Tokyo's most famous summer events. It dates back to the Edo period, originally started to honor the dead and ward off evil. Today, it's a dazzling spectacle featuring over 20,000 fireworks launched along the Sumida River, near the historic Asakusa district. The show is divided into two main venues, allowing spectators to enjoy a continuous, two-hour-long display of light and sound. Crowds gather along the riverbanks and nearby rooftops to claim the best views. Many visitors wear yukata (summer kimono) and enjoy traditional festival foods from nearby stalls, creating a lively, nostalgic atmosphere. The fireworks are renowned for their artistry and innovative designs, often forming shapes like hearts, smiley faces, or even anime characters. This festival beautifully blends modern creativity with traditional celebration, making it a beloved highlight of Tokyo’s summer.

• Location: Sumida-ku, Tokyo, both sides of the Sumida River
• Time: July 26, 2025 (Saturday, postponed in case of rain)

• What to do:

1. Enjoy about 20,000 fireworks (launched from the two major venues)
2. Wear a yukata to participate in the fireworks festival
3. Have a picnic and watch the fireworks (it is recommended to go in the afternoon in advance)
4. Visit the riverside festival stalls (you can eat takoyaki, fried noodles, ice cream)
5. Take a photo of Tokyo Skytree and the fireworks

3. Hakata Gion Yamakasa (Fukuoka)

The Hakata Gion Yamakasa, held annually from July 1st to 15th in Fukuoka City, is a high-energy, traditional festival with over 770 years of history. This celebration is most famous for its dynamic time-trial races, where teams of men, dressed in happi coats and loincloths, dash through the streets carrying elaborately decorated festival floats (called Kakiyama) that weigh nearly one ton. The highlight is the Oiyama on July 15th, when the final race begins at dawn with teams racing through a 5 km course. These intense sprints are not only physical feats but also expressions of local pride, teamwork, and spiritual dedication. The floats themselves are works of art, showcasing scenes from Japanese folklore and history. Combined with the sound of chanting, drums, and splashing water, the atmosphere becomes electric. Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a must-see for those wanting to witness raw energy, tradition, and community spirit in action.

• Location: Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City (centered on Kushida Shrine)
• Time: July 1-15, 2025 (climax: morning of the 15th)

• What to do:

1. Watch the "Oishi Yamakasa" competition (men carrying the mikoshi and running)
2. Visit Kushida Shrine and experience the Yamakasa culture
3. Wear "water hoodie" to experience the atmosphere of participation (mostly men participate)
4. Take photos of the giant decorative Yamakasa (fixed display)
5. Taste authentic Fukuoka food (Mentaiko, Hakata Ramen)

4. Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka)

Tenjin Matsuri, held in Osaka every year around July 24–25, is one of Japan's top three festivals, alongside Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and Tokyo’s Kanda Matsuri. It honors Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning, enshrined at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine. The festival features a blend of land and river processions, combining Shinto ritual with spectacular public celebration. On the second day, participants dressed in Heian-period costumes carry portable shrines through the streets before boarding decorated boats on the Okawa River. As dusk falls, the river lights up with thousands of lanterns and a grand fireworks display, creating a breathtaking reflection on the water. Spectators line the bridges and riverbanks, enjoying festival foods like takoyaki and yakisoba. The Tenjin Matsuri showcases Osaka’s vibrant culture, lively spirit, and love for celebration, making it a must-see for those who want to experience both tradition and spectacle in a single event.

• Location: Osaka City, Okawa and Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
• Time: July 24-25, 2025

• What to do:

1. Watch the Mikoshi (Funatogo) and fireworks display
2. Experience traditional costume performances and historical parades
3. Participate in the night market along the coast and buy souvenirs exclusive to the Tenjin Festival
4. Watch the "offering fireworks" and water lanterns at night
5. Take photos and check in the night view of Kawakami + the procession of ancient costumes

5. Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori City)

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, held from August 2nd to 7th, is one of the most visually spectacular festivals in Japan. Located in Aomori City, this celebration is famous for its enormous illuminated Nebuta floats, featuring bold, hand-crafted figures inspired by Japanese mythology, kabuki, and historical warriors. These vibrant floats—some reaching up to 9 meters wide—are paraded through the streets at night, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of taiko drums, flutes, and chants of "Rassera!" Dancers called Haneto, wearing bright traditional outfits, leap and twirl alongside the floats, creating a highly energetic and festive atmosphere. The festival culminates with a massive fireworks display over Aomori Bay. Recognized as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset, the Nebuta Matsuri blends folk art, community spirit, and theatrical pageantry. It draws over 3 million visitors each year and is a bucket-list event for those seeking Japan’s most dynamic cultural expressions.

• Location: Central Street, Aomori City
• Time: August 2-7, 2025

• What to do:

1. Watch the giant lantern float parade (lit up at night is very impressive)
2. Register to become a "jumping man" dancer (you can apply to rent clothes to participate)
3. Take a photo with the general-shaped float
4. Visit Aomori's local night market and food stalls
5. Attend the last night of the Harbor Fireworks Festival

6. Akita Kanto Matsuri (Akita City)

The Akita Kanto Matsuri, held every year from August 3rd to 6th in Akita City, is one of Japan’s most unique and mesmerizing summer festivals. The highlight of the event is the breathtaking display of balancing skills, as performers carry massive Kanto poles—bamboo rods up to 15 meters tall, strung with up to 46 paper lanterns—using only their forehead, shoulder, hip, or palm. Each pole can weigh over 50 kilograms, representing a symbolic offering to ward off evil spirits and pray for a good harvest. As night falls, hundreds of these glowing poles sway in the wind, creating a magical scene along Kanto Odori Street. Accompanied by traditional music with flutes and drums, the festival draws crowds from across Japan and abroad. The Kanto Matsuri is not just a feat of physical endurance—it’s a celebration of balance, precision, and Akita’s deep agricultural traditions.

• Location: Akita City Center (Kanto Odori)
• Date: August 3-6, 2025

• What to do:

1. Watch the balancing skills of holding a lantern pole (holding the lantern on the shoulder, forehead, and waist)
2. Try the "Mini Kanto" challenge
3. Enjoy traditional music performances (flute and taiko)
4. Take photos of the Kanto street scene lit up at night
5. Purchase Akita traditional handicrafts or Kanto souvenirs

7. Sendai Tanabata Matsuri (Sendai City)

The Sendai Tanabata Matsuri, held from August 6th to 8th in Sendai City, is Japan’s most famous Star Festival. Rooted in the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, two celestial lovers separated by the Milky Way, the festival celebrates their annual reunion. The city is transformed into a sea of vibrant decorations, especially the iconic streamer-style bamboo ornaments known as fukinagashi, which hang from shopping arcades and streets. Each decoration is hand-made using colorful washi paper, often with wishes written by locals. The festival also includes traditional music performances, parades, and nighttime fireworks along the Hirose River. It combines ancient tradition with urban creativity, making it one of the most photogenic events of the summer. Unlike other Tanabata festivals in Japan, Sendai’s version has been celebrated in this grand form since the early 20th century and showcases the region’s cultural pride and artistic flair.

• Location: Akita City Center (Kanto Odori)
• Date: August 3-6, 2025

• What to do:

1. Watch the balancing skills of holding a lantern pole (holding the lantern on the shoulder, forehead, and waist)
2. Try the "Mini Kanto" challenge
3. Enjoy traditional music performances (flute and taiko)
4. Take photos of the Kanto street scene lit up at night
5. Purchase Akita traditional handicrafts or Kanto souvenirs

8. Awa Odori (Tokushima City)

The Awa Odori, held annually from August 12th to 15th in Tokushima City, is Japan’s largest and most exuberant traditional dance festival. Dating back over 400 years, Awa Odori is famous for its joyful, rhythmic dancing and chanting of "Yatto-sa, yatto-sa!" Performed by groups called Ren, dancers wear colorful yukata and straw hats, moving in lines to the beat of shamisen, drums, and flutes. There are both daytime and nighttime processions, with streets filling with thousands of dancers and spectators. Awa Odori is unique because it welcomes participation—spectators are encouraged to join in and dance. The motto is: “The fool dances, and the fool watches—so why not dance?” This infectious energy, combined with the festival’s deep folk roots, creates an atmosphere of pure celebration. The event represents Tokushima’s cultural identity and is a joyful experience of unity, tradition, and community spirit that resonates with all ages.

• Location: Tokushima City Center (Awa Dance Avenue)
• Time: August 12-15, 2025

• What to do:

1. Watch the dance team "Ren" dancing on the street
2. Sign up to participate in the "Tourist Ren" and learn to dance on the spot
3. Wear a yukata and join the rhythmic dance team
4. Eat local snacks such as Tokushima Ramen, Handa Noodles, etc.
5. Experience and take photos of traditional dance moves

9. Gujo Odori (Gifu Prefecture, Gujo Hachiman)

The Gujo Odori, held from mid-July to early September in the historic town of Gujo Hachiman, Gifu Prefecture, is one of Japan’s longest and most inclusive bon odori (盆踊り) festivals. With a history of over 400 years, this dance celebration was originally intended to unite people of all social classes. Today, it continues that spirit of community and equality, with locals and visitors dancing together in the streets nearly every night for over 30 nights. The highlight is the “Obon week” (August 13–16), when the festival transforms into an all-night event called Tetsuya Odori, where the dancing continues until dawn. Participants wear yukata, wooden geta sandals, and follow the rhythm of traditional folk songs, guided by live musicians. Unlike many festivals, there are no spectators—everyone dances, making it one of Japan’s most immersive cultural experiences. Gujo Odori is a celebration of tradition, hospitality, and the joy of dancing together.

• Location: Hachiman-cho, Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture
• Time: Mid-July to early September 2025 (Tokuya Odori is from August 13 to 16)

• What to do:

1. Freely join the national Bon Odori dance (no registration required)
2. Wear yukata and wooden sandals to dance traditional steps
3. Experience the summer night atmosphere of "dancing all night"
4. Learn to dance 10 different traditional steps (such as "Kawasaki", "Harukama", etc.)
5. Enjoy the quiet town style and summer coolness

10. Animelo Summer Live (Saitama)

Animelo Summer Live, often shortened to Anisama, is Japan’s largest anime song (anisong) concert event, held annually in late August at the Saitama Super Arena. Unlike traditional festivals, Anisama is a modern celebration of anime culture, bringing together the biggest names in anime music, including voice actors, J-pop artists, and anisong legends. The three-day event features live performances of popular theme songs from beloved anime series, dazzling light shows, and massive audiences waving glow sticks in synchronized patterns. Fans come dressed in cosplay, creating a colorful, high-energy atmosphere that blends music, fandom, and spectacle. While rooted in modern pop culture, Anisama captures the same communal spirit found in traditional matsuri—joy, expression, and shared enthusiasm. For anime lovers and music fans alike, it’s an unforgettable, immersive experience that showcases Japan’s unique ability to blend entertainment, technology, and subculture pride into one epic summer festival.

• Location: Saitama Prefecture, Saitama Super Star Arena
• Time: August 29-31, 2025 (3 days)

• What to do:

Watch super luxurious anime singers & voice actors live performances

Wave light sticks to join the chorus of 10,000 people

Take photos and check in in Cosplay or fan costumes

Buy limited anime peripherals

Communicate with other anime fans and have fun together