Top 10 of the Best Matsuri in Japan

Chichibu Yomatsuri

Chichibu in western Saitama Prefecture, roughly two hours from central Tokyo is a town that’s humble in size but really loves to party. Many festivals take place here throughout the year, but the most famous is the Chichibu Yomatsuri (night festival).

Held on annually between December 2nd and 3rd, celebrations, see massive illuminated floats make their way down the main street, and up an elevated slope overlooking the city hall. The event finishes with huge fireworks for more than two hours display on the last night.

Chichibu-jinja Shrine

4.0

273 Reviews

Saitama Pref. Chichibushi Bambamachi 1-3

0494220262

[God Fudasho]8:30-17:00[Gate…

【URL】https://navi.city.chichibu.lg.jp/p_festival/1030/

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Shujo Onie

For those not afraid to detour off the well-trodden path, the unique Shujo Onie in Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita is well worth the effort. Held every February at Tennen-ji Shrine, it’s said this celebration has a history that goes back over 1,000 years.

A way to pray for a good harvest in the new year, the event’s rituals feature freezing river swimming and a giant bonfire. The final part of the celebration is the most thrilling; two demons make their way around the city's main shrine, banging fire and spreading the burning ashes.

A little more dangerous than most other festivals, if you survive, you’re bound to have a good year.

Tennenterashuseionikai

Oita Pref. Bungotakadashi Nagaiwaya Shita-cho Iwaya

0978223100

【URL】https://www.showanomachi.com/events/detail/195

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Kawagoe Matsuri

Kawagoe, also known as 'Koedo' (little Edo, Tokyo’s former name), is only a 30-minute train ride from Ikebukuro in Tokyo, but it feels centuries away from the neon lights and towering skyscrapers of the city.

It’s known for being the home of many traditional Japanese sweets and historical warehouses, but it’s also home to one of the country’s best autumn celebrations. Held every year on the third Saturday and Sunday of October, the Kawagoe Matsuri dates back to the mid-1600s.

Today, it’s an extravagant affair with traffic-stopping floats, live drumming shows and endless rows of food stalls.

Kawagoe Festival

Saitama Kawagoe-shi Shintomicho 1-chome

0492248811

【URL】https://kawagoematsuri.jp/index.html

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Narita Gionsai

An area known mainly just for its airport, Narita City also hosts one of the nation’s most impressive celebrations, the Narita-san Gion Matsuri.

Held in annually on the three days nearest to the 7th, 8th, and the 9th of July, heading into the weekend, the event signals the beginning of summer and features endless dancing, mikoshi floats and plenty of incredible street food.

The 300-year old event draws an estimated 450,000 visitors and is an excellent way to really appreciate another side of the often overlooked Narita City.

Narita Yamazumienkai

Chiba Pref. Naritashi Narita 1

0476222111

【URL】http://www.nrtk.jp/enjoy/shikisaisai/gion-festival.html

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Fukushima Waraji Matsuri

One of the more interesting celebrations held in Japan is the Fukushima Waraji Matsuri also known as Straw Sandal Festival. Waraji is the Japanese name for the traditional straw sandals that were once an everyday outfit staple.

Held over the first Friday and Saturday of every August in Fukushima City, since 1970, the celebration is split in two. The first half is a traditional style festival where a giant sandal is carried through the main street.

The second half of the night is dedicated to the Dancing Soda Night show, where dozens of dressed up teams perform different modern style dances to the same song, think hip-hop, belly dancing, breakdancing and everything in between.

Fukushima Warajimaturi

Fukushima Pref. Fukushimashi Sakaemachi

0245365511

【URL】http://www.fmcnet.co.jp/waraji/

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Aomori Nebuta Festival

Taking over the Aomori city from August 2nd to 7th is the most colorful of all festivals, the Aomori Nebuta Festival a massive parade that attracts roughly three million visitors every year. The centerpieces of this 300-year old summer celebration are the towering paper floats that make their way through the town.

Looking like gigantic paintings come to life the floats are handmade by local artisans and volunteers, some of whom dedicate months to creating these behemoth paper sculptures known as Nebuta. It looks incredible in photos, but seeing these pieces in the flesh is an entirely different experience altogether.

Aomori Nebutasai

Aomori Pref. Aomorishi Hashimoto 2-chome

0177237211

【URL】https://www.nebuta.or.jp/

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Gujo Odori

An odori matsuri is a common traditional bon dance festival held throughout the country, but one of the best is the Gujo Odori held in Gujo, Gifu.

During the rest of the year Gujo is a sleepy town, but between August 13th to 16th it transforms into a dance extravaganza, featuring teams in colorful costumes who dance throughout the day and night in celebration of summer, social cohesion, and to pay respect to those who have passed.

Mid-August is the main event, but technically the party lasts thirty-three nights, running from the middle of July to early September, so there’s no excuse not to go and see it.

Gujo Odori dance festival

Gifu Gujo-shi Hachimancho Shinmachi

0575670002

【URL】http://www.gujohachiman.com/kanko/odori.html

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Asakusa Sanja Matsuri

Sensoji, Tokyo’s most famous temple is home to an inner-city festival quite unlike any other. Known as one of the ‘3 great Shinto festivals in Tokyo’ alongside the Kanda and Sanno festivals, it takes place during the third weekend of May.

The celebrations feature around one hundred mikoshi (portable shrines) and attract roughly one and a half million visitors between Friday to Sunday.

The festival climax is on the last night when the temple’s own mikoshi is taken around the neighborhood before being welcomed back home, guided by a wave of glowing orange lanterns and live dancing, music, and singing.

Asakusa Shrine

4.5

1339 Reviews

Tokyo Taitou-ku Asakusa 2-3-1

0338441575

[Weekday]9:00-16:00[Saturday…

【URL】https://www.asakusajinja.jp/sanjamatsuri/

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Akita Kanto Matsuri

Held over four days in early August every year, the Akita Kanto Matsuri is without a doubt one of the most spectacular summer events in northern Japan.

Part of the nation's Tanabata celebrations, the festival’s main drawcards are the giant bamboo poles that are decorated with dozens of candle-lit paper lanterns and balanced precariously on the bodies of masterful local performers.

While the gravity-defying acts of the performers are the main show, there’s plenty to be seen around the festival grounds too, with countless food stalls selling delicious local festival snacks.

Akitakantoumaturi

Akita Pref. Akitashi Omachi 3-chome

0188632222

【URL】http://www.kantou.gr.jp/index.htm

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Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri

Known as the crown jewel of Nagahama City, the Hikiyama Matsuri is an annual mid-April celebration of spring, theatre, and traditional Japanese culture. During the festival, meticulously decorated floats known as hikiyama, become portable moving theaters, adorned with lanterns, animal sculptures, and tapestries unique to each group performing on the stage.

The feature of the celebration is the child-actors who take part kabuki plays traditionally reserved for adults. These prodigies dedicate months of their young lives to practicing and perfecting their shows before performing to the adoring crowds.

Hikiyama Museum

4.0

47 Reviews

Shiga Pref. Nagahamashi Motohamachou 14-8

0749653300

9:00-17:00 (admission until …

【URL】http://www.nagahama-hikiyama.or.jp/

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