Japan has countless events and festivals that take place all year round. We listed below the Japanese events and festivals January 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 January.
January is one of the coldest months in Japan, despite of the cold temperature January still packs a lot of events and festivals all around the country. Winter in Japan is mostly sunny which makes it perfect for the events and festivals to take place.
Japanese New Year Tradition
New Year (Oshogatsu) is the most important holiday period in Japan. Most companies in the country shuts down from the last week of December to first week of January. As a Japanese tradition families and relatives head together to shrines and temples for their first visit of the New Year.
Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine
Date: December 31, 2021 – January 1, 2021
Event Schedule: 7:00pm – 5:00am
Admission: Free
Nijo-jo Castle Garden Special Opening
Date: January 1-4, 2021
Event Schedule: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Admission: ¥400
Toka Ebisu Festival
Date: January 8 -12, 2021
Admission: Free
Saga Light Fantasy
Date: October 30 – January 13, 2021
Event Schedule: 5:00pm – 11:59pm
Admission: Free
Iwaki Hikari no Sakura (Light Cherry Blossoms)
Date: Early December – Mid January, 2021
Event Schedule: 5:00pm – 11:00pm
Admission: Free
Oni Hashiri – Ogres and Flaming Torches
Date: January 14, 2021
Event Schedule: 1:00pm – 11:00pm
Admission: Free
Shittenoji Doyadoya Festival
Date: January 14, 2021
Event Schedule: 2:30pm – 6:00pm
Admission: Free
Nozawa Fire Festival
Date: January 13-15, 2021
Event Schedule: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Admission: Free
Miyoshi Bonden Matsuri
Date: January 17, 2021
Admission: Free
Kayabuki no Sato Snow Lantern Festival
Date: Late January – Early February, 2021
Event Schedule: 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Admission: Free
Osaka Castle Illuminage
Date: Early December – Early March, 2021
Event Schedule: 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Admission: JPY 1,200 (on the door)
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
Date: Early January – Early March, 2021
Event Schedule: 9:00am – 9:00pm
Admission: JPY 300-500
Sapporo White Illumination
Date: Late November – Mid March, 2021
Admission: Free
“Light of Versailles” Winter Illumination
Date: Late October – Late March, 2021
Admission: ¥1,000
Events Information Source: Japan Cheapo Events
