Japan has countless events and festivals that take place all year round. We listed below the Japanese events and festivals December 2021 to help you plan your perfect itinerary! Before jumping down to the events and festivals let’s learn a little more about Japan’s weather and tradition for December.
Christmas In Japan
If you are planning to visit Japan for Christmas, prepare to feast your eyes for beautiful Winter Illuminations! Although Christmas is not a Japanese holiday, traveling around Christmas in Japan is not as bad as doing so in Western countries.
Plan ahead of time and make reservations early if you are planning to celebrate Christmas in Japan because the end of December and Early December are busiest season for travel in the country. Most companies in Japan are on holiday from the last week of December to first week of January, which makes it difficult to place a reservation if not done ahead of time.
Upcoming Japanese Events and Festivals
Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro – Illuminations
Date: December 13 to 22, 2021
Event Schedule: 5:00pm – 8:30pm
Admission: Free
Kobe Luminarie 2021
Date: December 06 to 15, 2021
Admission: Free
Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri
Date: December 15 -18
Admission: Free
Nagasaki Christmas
Date: Early December – Late December
Event Schedule: 4:00pm – 10:00pm
Admission: Free
Osaka Ramen Expo 2021
Date: Early December – Late December
Event Schedule: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Admission: Free
Glover Garden Night Illumination
Date: Mid November – Late December
Event Schedule: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Festival of the Lights Osaka
Date: November 4, 2021 – January 31, 2021
Admission: Free
Sendai Pageant of Starlight
Date: Mid December – Late December
Admission: Free
Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine
Date: December 31 – January 1
Event Schedule: 7:00pm – 5:00am
Admission: Free
Iwaki Hikari no Sakura (Light Cherry Blossoms)
Date: Early December – Early January
Event Schedule: 5:00pm – 11:00pm
Admission: Free
Saga Light Fantasy
Date: Late October – Early January
Event Schedule: 5:00pm – 11:59pm
Admission: Free
Sapporo White Illumination
Date: Late November – Mid March
Admission: Free
“Light of Versailles” Winter Illumination
Date: Late October – Late March
Admission: ¥1,000 (at the door)
Events Information Source: Japan Cheapo Events
