Festivals

Festivals, or matsuri, are at the heart of Japanese culture, bringing communities together in vibrant celebrations of history, spirituality, and nature. The most anticipated and cherished festival season is undoubtedly cherry blossom season, when Japan transforms into a breathtaking sea of pink and white blossoms.

Cherry Blossom: Each spring, hanami (flower-viewing) parties take over parks, gardens, and riverbanks as people gather beneath the blossoms to celebrate the fleeting beauty of sakura. In Tokyo, Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen become lively hubs of festivity, while Kyoto’s Maruyama Park and the Philosopher’s Path offer more tranquil settings. Many towns host cherry blossom festivals featuring cultural performances, seasonal delicacies, and stunning evening illuminations, enhancing the magic of this ephemeral season. Symbolising renewal and the transient nature of life, cherry blossoms are one of Japan’s most iconic and beloved traditions. The bloom begins in March in the south and gradually moves north, peaking in April, though exact timing varies with the climate each year.

Beyond sakura season, matsuri festivals occur year-round, each with its own unique character and historical significance. Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, dating back over a thousand years, is a grand summer celebration featuring magnificent yamaboko floats parading through the city. In Aomori, the Nebuta Matsuri lights up the night with enormous illuminated warrior lanterns, while Tokushima’s Awa Odori invites thousands of dancers and onlookers to take part in Japan’s most famous dance festival. Tokyo’s Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa is one of the city’s most energetic religious festivals, filling the streets with portable shrines and vibrant processions. Winter brings a different kind of spectacle, as the Sapporo Snow Festival turns the city into a breathtaking wonderland of ice sculptures and snow statues, attracting visitors from across the world.

Whether experiencing the grace of cherry blossoms, the excitement of summer processions, or the enchantment of winter illuminations, Japan’s festivals provide a spectacular window into the country’s traditions, artistry, and communal spirit.

To see more Festival information, we recommend looking in the Festival & Events section, for the month you want to go to Japan.