Japan’s Best Traditional Festivals to Include in Your Bucket List

Japan’s traditional festivals are an experience not to be missed. Many of the festivals in the country have made it onto millions of people’s bucket lists – and for good reason. To put it into perspective, 2.76 million people attended the 2024 National Cultural Festival in Japan, which lasted 42 days.

To say that Japan’s festivals are a vibrant tapestry of tradition, communication, and celebration is an understatement. Whether it’s the energetic dances of the Tokushima or the serene rituals of the Sendai, the Japanese culture you’ll experience at these events will draw you in and have you returning home with stories to tell and many fond memories to look back on.

Immerse yourself in traditional Japanese festivals to get an authentic taste of the culture. Below is a quick overview of some of the most loved Japanese festivals to attend:

Each May, Tokyo’s historic Asakusa district transforms into a vibrant celebration of spirit and tradition with the Sanja Matsuri festival. Some describe this as a festival that shows Tokyo in full bloom.

The festival, which runs over three days, honors the founding of the Sensō-ji Temple and is hosted by the Asakusa Shrine. The streets come alive with colorful portable shrines (mikoshi) on parade, with the locals wearing traditional attire and chanting festively as they weave their way through the city. Street performances, taiko drummers, food stalls, shops, and festival dancers keep the celebrations going from morning until night. Get there early because you’ll be joining over one million other festival-goers that weekend!

The city of Tokushima is transformed into an open-air stage every August when the Awa Odori festival starts. It is the largest traditional dance festival in Japan and includes drummers, dancers, and flutists, bringing cultural festivities to the streets for several nights.

Constant rhythm and movement come to life as ren wearing yukata present synchronized dance routines and chant their way through the streets. If you plan to attend, expect to be encouraged to participate in the dancing and chanting! Because the festival is so famous, you can expect to find it challenging to book a hotel – so book early if you can.

Held every October in the old merchant town of Kawagoe, this festival is a vivid throwback to the Edo period, when street parades and theatrical pageantry were part of everyday life. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival features massive two-story floats topped with historical figures, mythical creatures, and intricate woodwork carved by local artisans.

The real spectacle happens during the “Hikkawase,” a float face-off where neighborhoods compete in lively musical duels. As the floats approach each other, musicians play taiko drums and flutes with growing intensity, turning the streets into a sonic battlefield.

The entire city joins in. Locals dress in traditional happi coats, food stalls pop up along the lantern-lit streets, and visitors are encouraged to join the procession or cheer from the sidelines. It’s a powerful display of craftsmanship, community pride, and centuries-old celebration.

Every February, Okayama becomes the backdrop for one of Japan’s most extreme and eye-catching traditions: the Hadaka Matsuri, or “Naked Festival.” Despite the name, participants aren’t entirely nude – thousands of men wear only white fundoshi (loincloths) and brave the cold to compete in an ancient test of luck, endurance, and spiritual cleansing.

The heart of the event happens at Saidaiji Temple, where priests toss two shingi (sacred wooden sticks) into a packed crowd. What follows is a chaotic, high-stakes scramble in near darkness, as participants push and jostle to grab one of the sticks and secure a year of good fortune. It’s intense, loud, and steeped in over 500 years of tradition.

Spectators gather to cheer from the sidelines, and local vendors line the streets selling warm food and drinks to fend off the February chill. 

Held every August in Sendai, the Tanabata Festival is a celebration of love, wishes, and celestial folklore. Inspired by the ancient legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi – two lovers separated by the Milky Way and allowed to meet just once a year – this festival turns the city into a breathtaking gallery of color and tradition.

What sets Sendai’s version apart is its vibrant streamers, often reaching up to 10 feet long, made of delicate washi paper and hung from bamboo poles across shopping arcades and city streets. Each one represents a wish, and the effect is both peaceful and grand – like walking through a forest of dreams.

The celebration lasts for several days and includes parades, fireworks displays, and traditional performances,all designed to bring the story of the star-crossed lovers to life. Locals and visitors alike write wishes on small tanzaku papers and tie them to bamboo branches, adding their hopes to the collective spirit of the event.

The 2024 Tanabata Festival was attended by around 2.04 million visitors. If you missed it, this year could be your chance! Whether you go for the legend, the spectacle, or the atmosphere, Tanabata in Sendai is a poetic experience that feels joyful and deeply personal.

Stay Connected with an eSIM in Japan

If you’re visiting one or more of Japan’s festivals, you’ll want to stay connected for safety and the ability to share pics of your wondrous experiences. For those on the move, getting an eSIM for Japan provides a convenient solution to ensuring continuous access to local networks. You can activate the digital SIM before arrival and avoid costly roaming fees. Best of all, you won’t have to fumble between physical SIM cards or risk losing your main SIM.

Last Word

Embracing Japan’s traditional festivals offers an unforgettable journey into its cultural heart. Research these festivals and see if they align with your travel dates – and if they do, enjoy!

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