Festival dates, particularly cherry blossom season and autumn foliage, vary by year and location. National holiday dates are fixed by law but may shift when they fall on weekends (the following Monday becomes a holiday). Always verify dates before planning travel. Last reviewed: 2026.
Japan’s Festivals and Annual Events
Japan’s calendar is rich with festivals (祭り, matsuri), national holidays, and seasonal traditions that bring communities together and mark the turning of the year. This guide covers the major annual events you’re likely to encounter as a visitor or resident.
National Holidays
Japan has 16 national public holidays (国民の祝日, Kokumin no Shukujitsu):
- January 1 — New Year’s Day (元日, Ganjitsu): The most important holiday of the year. Most businesses close December 29–January 3. Shrines and temples are packed for hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year).
- Second Monday of January — Coming of Age Day (成人の日, Seijin no Hi): Celebrates those who turned 20 (now 18 under new law). Many young women wear furisode kimono.
- February 11 — National Foundation Day (建国記念の日)
- February 23 — Emperor’s Birthday (天皇誕生日)
- March 20/21 — Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日): Date varies by year.
- April 29 — Showa Day (昭和の日): Start of Golden Week.
- May 3 — Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日)
- May 4 — Greenery Day (みどりの日)
- May 5 — Children’s Day (こどもの日): End of Golden Week. Koinobori (carp streamers) fly for children.
- Third Monday of July — Marine Day (海の日)
- Third Monday of August — Mountain Day (山の日): Added in 2016.
- Third Monday of September — Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日)
- September 22/23 — Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日): Date varies by year.
- Second Monday of October — Health and Sports Day (スポーツの日)
- November 3 — Culture Day (文化の日)
- November 23 — Labour Thanksgiving Day (勤労感謝の日)
Golden Week
Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク) is Japan’s busiest travel period — a cluster of four national holidays April 29–May 5. Bullet trains, airports, and tourist destinations become extremely crowded. Hotel prices spike significantly. If possible, plan around Golden Week or book months in advance.
Major Seasonal Festivals and Events
Spring
- Hanami (花見) — Cherry Blossom Viewing: Late March to early May (varies by location). Picnics under blooming sakura trees. One of Japan’s most beloved traditions. See our Best Time to Visit Japan guide for regional bloom timing.
- Hina Matsuri (ひな祭り) — Doll Festival, March 3: Families with daughters display ornamental imperial court doll sets.
- Setsubun (節分) — Feb 3: Bean-throwing ritual to drive away evil spirits. Temples and shrines hold public events; families traditionally throw beans at home.
Summer
- Hanabi (花火) — Fireworks Festivals: Major competitions and displays throughout July–August. Tokyo’s Sumida River Hanabi Taikai, Osaka’s Naniwa Yodogawa, and Nagaoka Hanabi in Niigata are among the largest. Yukata (lightweight cotton kimono) are traditional summertime attire for these events.
- Tanabata (七夕) — Star Festival, July 7: Celebration of the meeting of the stars Vega and Altair. Wishes written on colored paper strips tied to bamboo. Large celebrations in Sendai (held in August).
- Obon (お盆) — Mid-August: A Buddhist festival honoring ancestral spirits. Many businesses partially close for 3–5 days around August 13–16. Bon Odori (盆踊り) dances are held at local festivals throughout August. One of Japan’s busiest domestic travel periods.
- Gion Matsuri (祇園祭) — Kyoto, throughout July: One of Japan’s three great festivals. Culminating yamahoko processions on July 17 and July 24.
Autumn
- Koyo (紅葉) — Autumn Foliage: Late September to early December (varies by region). Japan’s autumn foliage season draws crowds comparable to cherry blossoms. Best spots include Nikko, Kyoto’s temple gardens, and Hokkaido.
- Shichi-Go-San (七五三) — November 15: Traditional rite of passage for children aged 3, 5, and 7. Families visit shrines; children wear kimono.
- Jidai Matsuri (時代祭) — Kyoto, October 22: Historical costume procession through Kyoto, one of the city’s three great festivals.
Winter
- Illumination Events (イルミネーション): December–February. Major light installations in parks, shopping streets, and theme parks across Japan.
- Bōnenkai (忘年会) — Year-End Parties, December: “Forget the year” parties held at workplaces and among friend groups throughout December.
- Ōmisoka (大晦日) — New Year’s Eve, December 31: Temples ring their bells 108 times at midnight (除夜の鐘, joya no kane). NHK broadcasts the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle).
- Oshōgatsu (お正月) — New Year’s, January 1–3: Hatsumode (first shrine/temple visit), osechi ryori (special New Year’s foods), and family gatherings.
- Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり) — February: Massive snow and ice sculptures in Sapporo’s Odori Park. One of Japan’s most famous winter events.
For travel timing around these events, see our Best Time to Visit Japan guide and Japan Travel Tips.