Japan festival calendar 2026–2027: every major matsuri, month by month
Can't decide when to go to Japan? Every major festival of the year on one page, with dates checked against the organizers.
27 festivals across 11 months
October 20266 festivals
Nagasaki Kunchi
· Nagasaki
Nagasaki Kunchi is the autumn festival of Suwa Shrine, held over three days: Mae-bi (Oct 7), Naka-bi (Oct 8) and Ato-bi (Oct 9).
Takayama Autumn Festival (Hachiman Matsuri)
· Takayama, Gifu
The autumn edition of the Takayama Festival belongs to Sakurayama Hachimangu and fills the old town with ornate festival floats.
Nada Fighting Festival (Nada no Kenka Matsuri)
· Himeji, Hyogo
The “fighting festival” of Matsubara Hachiman Shrine in Himeji is held every year on Oct 14 (the eve, yoimiya) and Oct 15 (the main day).
Kawagoe Festival
· Kawagoe, Saitama
The Kawagoe Festival is the festival of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, held on the third Sunday of October and the day before.
Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)
· Kyoto
Jidai Matsuri is Heian Shrine’s festival, held every Oct 22 (postponed if it rains).
Kurama Fire Festival
· Kyoto (Kurama)
The Kurama Fire Festival of Yuki Shrine takes place on the same night as the Jidai Matsuri, from around 18:00 until just past midnight.
November 20262 festivals
Karatsu Kunchi
· Karatsu, Saga
Karatsu Kunchi is the autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine, starring 14 hikiyama — giant lacquered floats shaped like a red lion, a sea bream, samurai helmets and more.
Eikando Autumn Night Illumination
· Kyoto
Eikando (Zenrin-ji), known as “Momiji no Eikando” for its maples, opens for autumn night viewing with entry from 17:30 to 20:30 and gates closing at 21:00 (an admission fee is charged).
December 20261 festivals
Chichibu Night Festival
· Chichibu, Saitama
The Chichibu Night Festival is the festival of Chichibu Shrine, with the eve on Dec 2 and the main night festival on Dec 3 every year.
January 20271 festivals
Hatsumode at Meiji Jingu (New Year Shrine Visit)
· Tokyo (Shibuya)
Hatsumode is the first shrine visit of the new year, and Meiji Jingu is usually one of the busiest shrines in Japan over January 1–3.
February 20271 festivals
Sapporo Snow Festival
· Sapporo, Hokkaido
The 77th Sapporo Snow Festival runs February 4–11, 2027 across three sites: Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome.
March 20272 festivals
Omizutori (Shuni-e) at Todai-ji
· Nara
Shuni-e is a Buddhist rite held at Todai-ji’s Nigatsu-do Hall every year from March 1 to 14, with the final ceremony ending in the early hours of the 15th.
Cherry Blossom Season in Tokyo
date TBC· Tokyo
Not a single festival but Tokyo’s hanami season, when people picnic and stroll under the blossoms.
April 20271 festivals
Takayama Spring Festival (Sanno Matsuri)
· Takayama, Gifu
The spring Takayama Festival is the annual festival of Hie Shrine, held every April 14–15 (a Wednesday and Thursday in 2027).
May 20273 festivals
Sanja Matsuri
date TBC· Tokyo (Asakusa)
Sanja Matsuri is the festival of Asakusa Shrine, usually held Friday to Sunday around the third Saturday of May.
Aoi Matsuri
· Kyoto
Aoi Matsuri is the festival of Kyoto’s Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, held every May 15 — a Saturday in 2027.
Kanda Matsuri
date TBC· Tokyo (Chiyoda)
Kanda Matsuri is the festival of Kanda Myojin shrine; its full main-year edition, with the Shinkosai procession, is held every two years, and since 2026 was an off year, 2027 is expected to be a main year.
July 20274 festivals
Hakata Gion Yamakasa
· Fukuoka
Hakata Gion Yamakasa is the festival of Kushida Shrine, held July 1–15.
Gion Matsuri
· Kyoto
Gion Matsuri, the festival of Yasaka Shrine, fills the whole month of July in Kyoto.
Tenjin Matsuri
· Osaka
Tenjin Matsuri is the festival of Osaka Tenmangu shrine.
Sumida River Fireworks Festival
date TBC· Tokyo (Asakusa)
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is usually held on the last Saturday of July (the 2026 edition was on July 25); the 2027 date has not been announced.
August 20275 festivals
Aomori Nebuta Festival
· Aomori
The Aomori Nebuta Festival is held every year from August 2 to 7.
Akita Kanto Festival
date TBC· Akita
The Akita Kanto Festival is usually held August 3–6; the 2027 dates have not been posted yet.
Sendai Tanabata Festival
· Sendai, Miyagi
The Sendai Tanabata Festival is held every year on August 6–8.
Awa Odori
· Tokushima
Awa Odori is Tokushima’s famous summer dance festival.
Gozan no Okuribi (Kyoto Bonfires)
· Kyoto
Every August 16, at the end of Obon, five great bonfires are lit on the mountains around Kyoto to send ancestral spirits back.
September 20271 festivals
Kishiwada Danjiri Festival
date TBC· Kishiwada, Osaka
The Kishiwada Danjiri Festival is a September festival in which heavy wooden danjiri floats are pulled at speed through the streets and swung around corners in a manoeuvre called yarimawashi.
Every date was checked against the organizer's official page. "Date TBC" means this year's date hasn't been announced yet — check the official site before you book.
Every month I write a festival roundup for the month ahead on the IKOKA blog. Read the monthly festival roundups
Want the next free guide?
I share new guides and seasonal crowd tips on Instagram first.
Follow @ikoka.japan on Instagram