The Best Summer Festivals in East & North Japan!
While Japan's summer can be hot, humid, and long, it's actually one of the best times to come to visit the country for one simple reason: there are so many summer festivals and fireworks all across the country! From festivals held in cities nationwide, to gigantic events held in big cities, to tiny local festivals held in countryside towns, no matter where you go in Japan you will find a festival to go to in the summer.
There are too many festivals in Japan to cover in just one article, so this time first we'll cover some festivals held in cities all over the country. After that let's look at just some popular summer festivals you should check out this summer in Japan, starting from Hokkaido in the north, heading down to Tokyo in the east, and then starting to move west towards Nagoya.
Tanabata
Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, is a festival that officially starts on July 7th to commemorate the ancient story of two star-crossed lovers who are kept apart by the Milky Way. Legend says that these two lovers are only allowed to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month of the traditional Japanese lunar calendar, so the actual date (according to the lunar calendar) can vary and so some cities celebrate Tanabata in August.
In cities all over Japan, Tanabata decorations are put up, and in some cities, large festivals with food stalls and parades are held. It's common for kids to cut and glue together pieces of colored paper (called tanzaku), write wishes on the paper, and then hang them from Tanabata trees. It's a fun tradition you should definitely take part in if you get the chance.
By far the most famous Takabata festival is the Sendai Tanabata Festival held in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. It takes place every year in August and fills the streets with colorful decorations, tanzaku, and vibrant parades. If you want to check out one Tanabata festival in Japan, then make it this one.
Sendai Tanabata Festival: August 6 to 8
For more information about Sendai's famous Tanabata festival, click here.
Omikoshi
One of the most famous styles of Japanese festivals is the mikoshi parade, where a procession of people carry a beautiful portable shrine on their shoulders and sing and chant as they carry the kami (god) within the mikoshi from one shrine to another. These are usually very energetic, fun, exciting events that take place in cities across the country and are absolutely worth checking out.
Bon Odori
During the Obon holiday in August, Bon Odori, or Bon Dance, festivals are held all across Japan. During these summer festivals, you can eat at food stalls, play games, and enjoy the festival atmosphere while watching men and women dancing the traditional Bon dance. Anyone can join the dance, so why not put on a yukata-a Japanese summer kimono-and join the dance yourself? Don't worry about not knowing the moves, since you can just watch the people in the center and follow them.
If you want to go to a particularly famous Bon Odori, you should definitely check out the Koenji Awa Odori held in Suginami in Tokyo. It's known for the huge number of people who come wearing yukata to participate in the dance.
Koenji Awa Odori: August 26-27
For more information about Koenji Awa Odori, click here.
Hokkai Heso Festival (Furano, Hokkaido)
Furano, sometimes referred to as Hokkaido's belly button since it's located right in the center of the prefecture, is known for beautiful lavender fields and natural landscapes. Each year in July they hold the Hokkai Heso Festival (in English known as the Furano Bellybutton Festival), which features food stalls, fireworks, and a parade where participants wear unique costumes.
Another great reason to check out this festival is that Hokkaido is usually not nearly as hot and humid as the rest of Japan during the summer, meaning you can enjoy the outdoor festivities without ending the day covered in sweat. So if you are in Hokkaido in the summer and want to experience the unique festive spirit of Hokkaido, check out this festival.
Hokkai Heso Festival: July 28-29
For more information about the festival, click here.
Akita Kanto Festival (Akita, Akita)
One of Akita Prefecture's most popular and famous festivals, the Akita Kanto Festival takes place in August every year. It is an iconic festival thanks to the massive bamboo poles adorned with dozens of bright lanterns that are paraded through the city. The highlight of the festival has to be the impressive performances held using these giant poles.
Akita Kanto Festival: August 6-8
For more information about the festival, click here.
Katsushika Noryo Hanabi Takai (Katsushika, Tokyo)
The Katsushika Noryo Hanabi Taikai, also known as the Katsushika Fireworks Festival, is one of Japan's best summer fireworks festivals and is held in Katsushika Ward in Tokyo. You'll be able to watch over 20,000 fireworks launch along the Edogawa River. If you want to get as close to the fireworks as possible, there is even reserved seating available for groups of two or four people. Fireworks festivals are one of the best parts of summer in Japan, so make sure you check out at least one if you're visiting Japan in July or August.
Katsushika Fireworks Festival: July 25
For more information about the fireworks festival, click here.
Asakusa Samba Festival (Tokyo)
Japan and Brazil have a closer relationship than you might think (the largest Japanese diaspora in the world is in Brazil), and so this festival celebrates these close ties between the two countries. It is held in Asakusa, Tokyo (usually in August), and features a massive parade showcasing samba music and dance. You'll be able to see the parade participants parade through the streets of Asakusa wearing traditional Brazilian Carnival outfits. There are also smaller samba performances, Brazilian food stalls, and a festive atmosphere that is unlike any other summer festival in Japan. If you want to experience a truly unique festival that blends Brazil's carnival culture and Asakusa's charm, check out this one!
Asakusa Samba Festival: September 17
For more information about the Samba Festival, click here.
Nagaoka Festival (Nagaoka, Niigata)
The Nagaoka Festival in Niigata Prefecture is another massive fireworks festival, but there's much more to this festival than just fireworks. During the day there are performances and events, including a parade where large traditional Japanese floats are paraded through town. At night over 20,000 fireworks are launched along the Shinano River, which is the longest river in Japan. This festival is an unforgettable event full of history and meaning and is absolutely a must-see in Japan.
Nagaoka Festival: August 2-3
For more information about the festival, click here.
Osu Summer Festival (Nagoya, Aichi)
The Osu Summer Festival is held in the Osu shopping district of Nagoya. This festival has just about everything you could want in a Japanese summer festival, including street vendors and food stalls, taiko drum performances, traditional bon dances, parades, and other performances. It's a great festival that'll make you feel truly immersed in the culture and atmosphere of Osu.
Osu Summer Festival: August 5-6
For more information about the festival, click here.
Suwa Lake Festival (Suwa, Nagano)
This summer festival is held every August in Suwa, Nagano Prefecture. The festival includes parades featuring floats and mikoshi along with street vendors and food stalls. The fireworks display at the end of the night is the largest in Japan-over 40,000 fireworks will be launched from Lake Suwa into the night sky. The massive number of fireworks coupled with the reflections of the fireworks on the lake's surface is a magical scene that any fan of fireworks needs to check out.
Suwa Lake Festival: August 15
For more information, click here.
These are just some of the festivals held in Japan every summer, and only in one-half of the country. So brave the heat and humidity and come to Japan in the summertime to truly get a taste of the country's fantastic festival culture!
