basic information

There are countless local festivals (matsuri) in Japan because almost every shrine celebrates its own one. Most festivals are held annually and celebrate the shrine's deity or a seasonal or historical event. Some festival are held over several days.

Festival Floats

Mikoshi

An important element of Japanese festivals are processions, in which the local shrine's kami (Shinto deity) is carried through the town in mikoshi (palanquins). It is the only time of the year when the kami leaves the shrine to be carried around town.

Many festivals also feature decorated floats (dashi), which are pulled through the town, accompanied by drum and flute music by the people sitting on the floats. Every festival has its own characteristics. While some festivals are calm and meditative, many are energetic and noisy.

Below follows an incomplete list of some of Japan's most famous festivals. Check our event calendar for exact dates.

	One week in early February Sapporo Snow Festival (more details) Sapporo, Hokkaido Large snow and ice sculptures are built in the city's centrally located Odori Park during the Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri). Read more
	April 14-15 and October 9-10 Takayama Matsuri (more details) Takayama, Gifu Large and elaborately decorated floats are pulled through the old town of Takayama. Held in spring and autumn. Read more
	Weekend in mid May Sanja Matsuri Asakusa, Tokyo The festival of Asakusa Shrine, the Sanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo's three big festivals. Mikoshi are carried through the streets of Asakusa.
	July Kyoto Gion Matsuri Kyoto The festival of Yasaka Shrine, Gion Matsuri is ranked as one of Japan's three best festivals, featuring six meter tall festival floats. The highlight of the festival takes place on July 17.
	August 2-7 Nebuta Matsuri Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture The Nebuta Matsuri features festival floats with huge lanterns, some measuring more than 10 meters. The festival attracts several million visitors every year.
	August 12-15 Awaodori Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture This is the most famous of many traditional dancing festivals held across Japan during obon.
	October 7-9 Nagasaki Kunchi (more details) Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture The festival of Nagasaki's Suwa Shrine, the Nagasaki Kunchi features Chinese style dragons and floats shaped like ships.
	December 2-3 Chichibu Yomatsuri (more details) Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture The Chichibu Night Festival is considered one of Japan's three best festivals featuring large festival floats (yatai). The festival's highlight takes place in the evening of December 3.

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