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Japan Top 10 Festivals and Events

GoWithGuide Official blogger

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:GoWithGuide Official blogger

Last updated : Jan 05, 20244 min read

Events & Festivals

1. Shibazakura Festival (Fuji Five Lakes)

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The Fuji Shibazakura Festival held annually from April to June is an event only in the spring where you can walk among the scenery of 800,000 blossoms of shibazakura. The towering sight of Mt. Fuji beyond this carpet of flowers is impressive.

Business hours
- Everyday (8:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Between April and May
Check the official page.
Phone
0555-89-3031
Price
- Adult: 600 JPY
- Child: 250 JPY
Website
www.shibazakura.jp

More information
Even more information

 

2. Gion Festival

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The Gion Festival which has a grand history lasts for one month. Lavishly ornamented gigantic 12t yamaboko festival floats are paraded through the streets of Kyoto, and the festival is performed to pray for the prevention of disasters.

Phone
075-561-6155

More information

 

3. Iwate Snow Festival

An annual snow festival that takes place every February at Koiwai Farms Makiba Park. Plenty of things to enjoy such as snow sculptures, a huge snow slide and grilled food inside snow huts!

Phone
019-692-4321
Website
www.japan-iwate.info

More information

 

4. Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival

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The fireworks are launched from 2 sites along the Sumida River. Approximately 20,000 fireworks are involved, in which the most cutting-edge fireworks and competition prize-winning explosions are included.

Phone
03-5608-1111
Website
sumidagawa-hanabi.com

More information

 

5. Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival

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A splendid firework festival well worth seeing for the largest 5-shakudama shells flying over the metropolis. Taking place at the prime location of Tokyo Bay, about 12,000 explosions light up the night sky.

Phone
03-3248-1561
Price
However, an admission ticket or a sponsored letter of invitation is necessary to enter the venues.
In either case, application at the homepage is possible.
Please be aware that the sales deadline is often 1 month ahead of the festival.

More information

 

6. Sanja Matsuri (Sanja Festival)

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Asakusa’s Sanja Festival, boasting 700 years of history. Mikoshi (portable shrines) and floats are pulled through the streets while loud shouts accompany them, and during the festival’s 3 days, 1.5 million people come out to celebrate.

Phone
03-3844-1575
Website
www.asakusajinja.jp

More information

 

7. Sendai Tanabata Festival

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A popular summer festival with splendid and elegant Tanabata streamers that appear as if they are falling from the sky. Visitors are invited into a world of dreams decorated by episodes from the romantic tale of The Tanabata Story.

Phone
022-265-8185
Price
Sendai Tanabata Festival bus tour
2500 yen (Contact: JTB Tohoku Corporate Sales Sendai Branch Tel. 022-263-6712)

Zuiho-den Tanabata Night
550 yen

Website
www.sendaitanabata.com

More information

 

8. Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

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Performers grandly dance through the city’s major streets while holding hanagasa which are patterned after the prefecture's flower, the safflower. The elegance and dynamism make it a leading summer festival in the Tohoku region.

Phone
023-642-8753
Price
There is no paid observation seating

Website
www.hanagasa.jp

More information

 

9. Tenjin Matsuri

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While preserving a 1000-year-old Shinto ritual, it is a festival that continues to evolve as it includes new events such as gyaru mikoshi (portable shrines carried by young women). The spirit of the Tenjin Matsuri, a symbol of Naniwa prosperity, continues to be passed down today.

Phone
06-6353-0025
Website
www.jnto.go.jp

More information

 

10. The Kanda Festival

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Peerless in both The Three Great Festivals of Japan and The Three Great Festivals of Edo, the Kanda Festival boasts a 1300-year history. The festival which is the pride of any Edokko (true Tokyoite) not only includes the highlight of mikoshi (portable shrines) but also a parade.

Phone
03-3254-0753 

More information

Written by GoWithGuide Official blogger

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TripleLights Official Blog

Kanagawa Tour Guide - Yuki K.

Yuki K.

4.77 / 5
(370 reviews)
Japan

I was born and grew up in Yokohama. I used to work in Tokyo for more than 20 years. I became the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English in 2013. At first, I had attended a volunteer group which provided a tour of the Imperial Palace East Gardens until 2015. I guided more than fifty times in the garden as a volunteer and studied about Japanese history and culture. Based on this experience, I became a tour guide of this online site in 2015. Since then, I have guided more than 500 tours in Tokyo as well as Yokohama, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Nikko, etc., while improving my tours. My tours are very flexible and I always do my best to customize them according to the interests of my guests. I studied about the places and will provide you knowledge to appreciate them more deeply than just visiting there by yourself or a member of group tours. I like foods and I know many restaurants which provide typical Japanese lunch with reasonable price without waiting too long. Therefore, I am sure that I can provide you the best tours customized to your interests. It will be my great pleasure to help you to enjoy your stay in Japan. So please be my guest!!                                                                                                                                 

Tokyo Tour Guide - Akira N.

Akira N.

4.95 / 5
(331 reviews)
Japan

Hello, My name is Akira. I am certified national guide interpreter. I have been living in Tokyo for more than 30 years. I love walking in the city with no particular plan finding trasures in the streets such as nice ramen noodle restaurants, cafes, funny billboards, and most of all, narrow alleys that remind me of good old days. I will help you enjoying the days in the city fully and making your vist memorable one. I am looking forward to seeing you soon.                                                                                                                                 

Kyoto Tour Guide - Hiroshi Y.

Hiroshi Y.

4.67 / 5
(327 reviews)
Japan

Hello,I am HIROSHI YOKOYAMA. Please call me Hiro, not "hero". I have been lived in kyoto for more than 30years. So, I am very familiar with the city of Kyoto and a unique culture developed in Japan as well. I can offer you not only historic places like Nijo castle, Kinkakuji temple ,Kiyomizu temple etc., but also off the beaten track spots Nijo jinya house or nicknamed "ninjya house" ,Katsura Imperial Villa etc.. I am really looking forward to seeing you .                                                                                                                                 

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