Japanese events and festivals are celebrated through out the country all year round, there are about 300,000 traditional festivals in Japan. The Japanese word for “festival” is “matsuri (祭り)”, in most cases each festival is sponsored by a local shrine or temple. Most of the Japanese festivals are celebrated over the weekend, big festivals like Sanja Matsuri, roads are usually closed to give way for the celebration.
If you happen to be roaming around Japan or Tokyo specifically, you can easily a spot Japanese events and festivals if you see processions which includes big and intricately designed floats. Of course, that also includes loud taiko drum beats and Japanese people chanting while they carry the traditional mikoshi.
Every season in Japan is accompanied by specific festivals for each area. Popular festivals are Takayama Spring Festival, Awa Odori Matsuri (Summer), Nagasaki Kunchi (Autumn) and a bunch of snow festivals in winter like Sapporo Snow Festival.
Upcoming Japanese Events and Festivals
Kayabuki no Sato Snow Lantern Festival
Date: Late January – Early February, 2021
Event Schedule: 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Admission: Free
Zao Snow Monster Festival
Date: Early February 2021
Admission: Free
Yasaka Shrine Setsubun
Date: February 2-3, 2021
Event Schedule: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Admission: Free
Heian Jingu Setsubun
Date: February 3, 2021
Event Schedule: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Admission: Free
Dojima Yakushido Setsubun Omizukumi Festival
Date: February 3, 2021
Event Schedule: 3:00pm – 9:00pm
Admission: Free
The Hakodate Russian Festival
Date: Early February, 2021
Event Schedule: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Namahage Sedo Festival
Date: Early – Mid February, 2021
Admission: Free
Miyajima Oyster Festival
Date: Early-Mid February, 2021
Event Schedule: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Admission: Free
Tadami Snow Festival
Date: Early-Mid February, 2021
Event Schedule: 10:00am – 8:30pm
Admission: Free
Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival
Date: February 10, 2021
Admission: Free
2021 Sapporo Snow Festival
Date: February 4-11, 2021
Admission: Free
Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival
Date: Early February, 2021
Event Schedule: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Admission: Free
Iwate Snow Festival
Date: February 2 to 11, 2021
Admission: Free
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Date: Early – Mid February, 2021
Admission: Free
Chinese New Year Festivities
Date: Mid February, 2021
Admission: Free
Kasedori Festival
Date: February 11, 2021
Admission: Free
Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Festival
Date: Mid February 2020
Admission: Free
Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival
Date: February 15-16, 2021
Admission: Free
Otaru Light Snow Path
Date: February 08 to 16, 2021
Event Schedule: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Admission: Free
Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2021
Date: Mid February – Early March, 2021
Admission: Free
Ichiya Kannyo (One Night) Festival
Date: February 20, 2021
Event Schedule: 2:00pm
Admission: Free
Kujuku Islands Oyster Eating Festival
Date: February 2021
Lake Towada Winter Story
Date: Early-Late February, 2021
Admission: Free
Shigisan Tiger Festival
Date: Late February, 2021
Admission: Free
Katsuyama Sagicho Matsuri
Date: Late February, 2021
Admission: Free
Baikasai Plum Blossom Festival
Date: February 25, 2021
Event Schedule: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Admission: Free
Osaka Castle Illuminage
Date: Mid December – Early March, 2021
Event Schedule: 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Admission: JPY 1,200
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
Date: Late January – Early March, 2021
Event Schedule: 9:00am – 9:00pm
Admission: JPY 300-500
Souriike Plum Blossom Festival
Date: Mid February – Mid March, 2021
Event Schedule: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Admission: Free
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 (on the door)
Events Information Source: Japan Cheapo Events