11 Best Japan Summer Festivals You Can’t Miss in 2025

Are you looking for the best Japanese summer festivals to attend during your Japan trip? 

Well, you are on the right site!

Hey there! Sam here.

I love sharing free Japan travel guides and tips to help my readers aka you explore the country with confidence. From must-attend festivals to hidden gems, I will show you how to make the most of your trip without overspending!

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While most people skip visiting Japan during summer due to the unpleasant heat, I personally feel that the best time to visit the country is this season when Japan comes alive with vibrant festivals showcasing its rich cultural heritage and local community spirit. 

So read on and I hope you have a great time soaking in the festive atmosphere and indulging in the seasonal local cuisine!

TLDR: Japan Summer Festivals

Tohoku (Northern Japan)

1. Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori)
2. Sendai Tanabata Matsuri (Sendai)
3. Kanto Matsuri (Akita)

Kanto (Eastern Japan)

1. Sumida River Fireworks Festival (Tokyo)

Kansai (Western Japan)

1. Gion Matsuri (Kyoto)
2. Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka)

Chubu (Central Japan)

1. Hyakumangoku Fireworks Festival (Kanazawa)
2. Nagaoka Fireworks Festival (Niigata)

Shikoku (Smallest of Japan’s four main islands)

1. Awa Odori (Tokushima)
2. Yosakoi Matsuri (Kochi)

Kyushu (Southern Japan)

1. Hakata Gion Yamakasa (Fukuoka)

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Tohoku (Northern Japan)

1. Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori)

Nebuta Matsuri is one of the popular Japanese summer festivals in the Tohoku region, attracting thousands of visitors every year!

Held from 2nd to 7th August, you can expect to see massive, illuminated floats called nebuta paraded along the street accompanied by taiko drumming, flutes, and energetic dancers.

Some of the typical float designs that can be seen in Nebuta Matsuri include historical figures, samurai, and mythical creatures. 

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For a more immersive experience, I recommend renting a haneto costume (400 yen) and dancing alongside the colourful floats!

The summer festival will conclude on the night of August 7 with a breathtaking two-hour fireworks display over Aomori Bay.

Getting There

The 3-kilometre-long Nebuta Matsuri parade route is about a 10-minute walk from the JR Aomori station. 

2. Sendai Tanabata Matsuri (Miyagi)

Held from 6th to 8th August, Sendai Tanabata Matsuri is Japan’s largest and most dazzling Tanabata festival.

Inspired by the legendary lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi, this Japan summer festival features thousands of vibrant streamers hanging from bamboo poles along the Ichibancho and Chuo shopping arcades, offering a truly one-of-a-kind sight!

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The streets are buzzing with festive activities too, including lively parades, traditional musical shows, and dance performances.

At the main venue Kotodai Park Civic Square, you can also find food stalls offering local delicacies, such as Sendai’s grilled ox tongue and Miyagi oysters. 

Travel tip: Enjoying local snacks at the lively festivals is one of the fun things you can do during summer in Japan 😉

More travel tip: If you want to join in the local tradition, I recommend writing your wishes on paper strips called tanzaku and hanging them on the tree for good fortune.

Getting There

Start at Sendai Station and walk to the shopping arcades before moving to Kotodai Park.

3. Kanto Matsuri (Akita)

If you want to see slightly more adrenaline-rushing festival performances, then make sure to join Kanto Matsuri in Akita. 

That’s because Kanto Matsuri boasts a mesmerising lantern-balancing show along the Kanto Odori street!

Held from the 3rd to 6th August, the participants balance massive bamboo poles called kanto on various body parts, including the forehead, shoulders, and hips, all while swaying gently to the music during the night parades.

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Carrying up to 46 paper lanterns, the bamboo poles can reach heights of up to 12 metres and weigh around 50 kg! 

You can also participate in the festival by balancing smaller kanto poles, creating an unforgettable cultural experience while exploring northern Japan.   

Travel tip: If you want to have the best view of the parade, I recommend making a paid seat reservation at least a few months in advance through the local website. 

Getting There

Kanto Odori Street is about a 15-minute walk from Akita Station.

Kanto (Eastern Japan)

4. Sumida River Fireworks Festival (Tokyo)

Held annually on the last Saturday of July, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival in Tokyo is a summer event you won’t want to miss.

With history dating back to the 18th century, this vibrant festival features a stunning display of more than 20 000 fireworks for 90 minutes straight, attracting thousands of spectators from all over the world!

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You can also indulge in the local cuisine as you walk along the nearby streets filled with food stalls while soaking in the lively atmosphere. 

Travel tip: Among all viewing spots, I recommend going to Shiori Park to avoid the huge crowd. You can also get a nice fireworks photo with the iconic Tokyo Skytree as the backdrop.

Getting There

There are two firework set-off locations; Taito Riverside Sports Center and Komagata Bridge. 

From Asakusa Station, it will take about 5 and 15 minutes to get to each spot respectively. 

For Shiori Park, the nearest Minami-Senju Station is about a 15-minute walk away.

Kansai (Western Japan)

5. Gion Matsuri (Kyoto)

With a history spanning over 1000 years, Gion Matsuri stands as one of the oldest and most famous Japan summer festivals!

While the celebrations last throughout July annually, the main highlight of Gion Matsuri is the Yamaboko Junko which is held on 17th and 24th July. 

The large-scale parade features huge, intricately decorated floats called yamaboko, which are showcased and pulled through Kyoto’s Shijo, Kawaramachi and Oike streets.

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Apart from the big-scaled float processions, Gion Matsuri also features night markets and traditional music performances, offering travellers a glimpse of Kansai’s interesting culture and heritage.

Travel tip: If you are looking for unique things to do in Kyoto a few days before the grand parades, you can watch the live assembling of the nail-free floats by the local artisans!

Getting There

You can alight at Gion-Shijo Station and Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station to get to the main event area of Gion Matsuri. 

6. Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka)

If you are in Osaka between the 24th and 25th July, then the Japanese summer festival that you must not miss out on is Tenjin Matsuri.

The main celebrations are held on the second day 25th, which consists of both land parades and grand river procession. 

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Celebrated in honour of Sugawara no Michizane (deity of scholarship), the land parade starts from the Osaka Tenmangu Shrine featuring costumed characters, energetic lion dancers, and an intricate float.

At night, the grand river procession takes place where illuminated boats float along the Okawa River. 

The 1.5-hour firework display together with the shimmering boat reflections offer a dazzling sight, making it a truly magical summer experience!

Travel tip: Since Tenjin Festival is one of Japan’s top three festivals, you can expect huge crowds to turn up for this summer event. 

So to avoid disappointment, you can buy the river side seat in advance through Klook for the best boat procession view.

Getting There

You can walk for about 5 minutes to Osaka Tenmangu Shrine from Minami-morimachi Station and Osaka Tenmangu Station.

For Okawa River, the nearest station is Temmabashi Station which is just a 1 to 2-minute walk away.

Chubu (Central Japan)

7. Hyakumangoku Festival (Kanazawa)

Held in the lovely city of Kanazawa, the Hyakumangoku Festival is an annual event that takes place from 6th to 8th June. 

The highlight of this century-old festival is the Hyakumangoku Parade which features the reenactment of feudal era procession, festive taiko drum performances, and lion dances.

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There is also a folk dance performance organised at night, where the dancers clad in colourful traditional yukata clothing along Kanazawa’s main streets.

With the historic streets of Kanazawa as the backdrop, you are bound to have a good time soaking up the local culture while enjoying the delicious street food!

Travel tip: Kanazawa is one of my favourite cities in Japan and I recommend spending a night at the onsen ryokan for an authentic Japanese hospitality experience!

Getting There

Since the Hyakumangoku Parade starts from Kanazawa Station to Kanazawa Castle, you can just walk to the east side of the station to watch the procession. 

8. Nagaoka Fireworks Festival (Niigata)

Another fireworks-centred summer festival that you can attend while exploring the Chubu region is the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival in Niigata. 

Held on 2nd and 3rd August annually, the dazzling, colourful fireworks show takes place along the Shinano River banks.

Some of the unique fireworks patterns shown include blooming chrysanthemums, Niagara Falls, and even Phoenix!

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Apart from the fireworks, the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival also features float parades and folk dance performances. 

Travel tip: Just like any other summer festival in Japan, Nagaoka Fireworks Festival draws thousands of visitors from all over the place. 

So it is best to reach the riverbank and reserve your free spot at least 4 hours early before the event starts. 

Getting There

The nearest Nagaoka Station is about a 20-minute walk to the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival main area. 

Shikoku (Smallest of Japan’s four main islands)

9. Awa Odori (Tokushima)

Taking place from 12th to 15th August in Tokushima, Awa Odori is the largest and most famous Japan dance summer festival!

The event has origins that date back 400 years, and you get to see groups of dancers called ren performing different variations of dances along the main parade street. 

While each group has their own colourful uniforms, female dancers typically dress in yukata while male dancers dress in happi.

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The celebration is also accompanied by music featuring taiko drums, and flutes, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere. 

While you are there, you can take a stroll along the riverside and indulge in the local snacks such as yakitori, oden, and kakigori!

Travel tip: I recommend booking your hotels in Tokushima at least 6 months in advance before Awa Odori takes place as it can get booked out fast.  

But if you really didn’t manage to book, you can opt to stay at a nearby city like Naruto (40-minute train ride) or Takamatsu (1-hour train ride).

Getting There

The Awa Odori Festival area is about a 10-minute walk away from JR Tokushima Station.

10. Yosakoi Matsuri (Kochi)

If you are visiting Kochi in early August, then make sure to attend the exciting Yosakoi Matsuri.

Unlike other traditional dance festivals, Yosakoi features tens of thousands of dancers segregated into 200 teams where each team has their own colourful costumes, choreography, and dancing styles.

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They also have their individual intricately decorated music trucks, creating a buzzing, carnival-like summer atmosphere around Kochi from 9th to 12th August annually! 

Getting There

The nearest Kochi Station is about a 10-minute walk to the Kochi city centre. 

Kyushu (Southern Japan)

11. Hakata Gion Yamakasa (Fukuoka)

Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a thrilling festival in Fukuoka celebrated from July 1st to 15th every year. 

This Japanese summer event is famous for its intense kakiyama float races, where 7 teams consisting of all male participants race through the streets carrying massive 1-tonne floats.

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Since the floats do not have wheels, the participants need to drag the float along the 5-kilometre race course.

Despite the race starting at 4.59 am on 15th July, you can see a huge crowd turn up at the start line in front of Kushida Shrine just to spectate this interesting event!

Travel tip: Wake up at least 3 hours earlier to reserve the best free viewing spot along the race course. 

Alternatively, you can buy a paid seat but it is going to be highly competitive. 

Getting There

Since the event takes place in the Hakata district of Fukuoka, you can alight at Kushida Shrine Station and walk for 1 minute to get to the shrine. 

Japan Summer Travel Tips for First-Time Travellers

I have been to Japan during summer and I had a great time there despite the heat and occasional rain. 

Here are some of the useful travel tips that you can consider if you are visiting Japan for the first time during this season:

1. Dress Comfortably 

I can’t stress this enough—bringing along light, breathable clothes like linen or moisture-wicking fabrics for your Japan summer trip is a lifesaver. 

And if you are planning to hike a trail, be sure to wear appropriate hiking clothing and non-slippery footwear as well. 

I made two big mistakes when I hiked the Fushimi Inari Shrine summit trail in Kyoto during summer that caused me much pain and hardship: 

1. I wore thick jeans. I thought I was serving looks but I didn’t realise the extra humidity and heat and inappropriate clothing were making me extra tired and sluggish.
   
2. I wore slippery shoes. And I slipped and fell and scraped my knee as the hiking path was wet due to the rain the day before. 

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So I hope you get the lessons here!

2. Stay Hydrated

The summer heat in Japan can be intense especially during midday. 

So make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day and bring along your water bottle no matter where you go. 

If you have run out of water, you can easily refill it through the vending machine or refill station. 

Here are the refill places you can visit in Tokyo. 

Or you can enter any of the convenience stores and buy a new 1.5L bottled water for about 150 yen (US$1).

3. Bring Along Umbrella or Raincoat

Japan’s summer is also the rainy season where you can expect unexpected showers to occur throughout your trip.

So to keep yourself dry, make sure to keep an umbrella or a raincoat in your daypack before leaving the hotel. 

4. Book Accommodations with Air Conditioning

You will be surprised that at this era certain hotels or ryokans in Japan do not come with air conditioning. 

So do your research and double-check before booking to ensure you have a comfortable place with cool air to rest after a hot day.

Final Thoughts: Experience the Magic of Japanese Summer Festivals 

Japanese summer is one of the best seasons to explore the country and experience its lively matsuri celebrations. 

From soaking in the festive atmosphere to trying refreshing seasonal foods, there is so much to see and do in these summer festivals.

So let me know if you are attending any of these summer festivals and I hope you have a great time immersing in the local tradition and culture there!