The 1,000-Year-Old History of Hanawa Bayashi
The small town of Kazuno in Akita Prefecture holds the Hanawa Bayashi Festival, designated by UNESCO as part of Japan’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Shine on at the Yamaga Lantern Festival
Witness one thousand women dancing with gold and silver lanterns on their head, reenacting an ancient mythical tale.
4 Inspiring Performing Arts Festivals in Japan
From huge taiko drums to theater performances in Tokyo's artsy neighborhoods, theater, music and dance lovers alike flock to experience Japan's performance festivals.
Seasonal Fire Festival Drives Demons Away
300 people gather in Fukuoka to take part in the 1,000-year-old Onisube ritual to ward away demons like illness and disaster.
Iga Ninjas Clean Up the Town
The town of Iga in Mie Prefecture was home to a renowned clan of shadow warriors. In conjunction with their annual Ninja Festival, the garbage men donned shinobi garb to get in on the action!
6 Tohoku Festivals in 1!
Tohoku's Kizuna Festival takes place in one of its six prefectures every year in the hopes of a full recovery from the 2011 disasters.
Kyoto's Amazing Gion Festival
Kyoto's incredibly historic, long-standing Gion Festival reached its thrilling climax!
Experience the Dance of the Golden Dragon
Twice a year in Asakusa, a golden dragon appears at Sensoji Temple...
Osaka's Incredible Danjiri Kishiwada Festival
Nippon TV takes a behind-the-scenes look at Osaka's high-speed Kishiwada Danjiri Festival.
The Akiyoshidai Fire Festival
People come to the Akiyoshi Plateau in Yamaguchi Prefecture to watch rolling grasslands burn with strips of open flame, and to explore the famous giant cave and fascinating geology of the Quasi-National Park.
Lantern Festival Transforms Japanese City
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival gives the city an amazing ethereal atmosphere akin to Studio Ghibli's film "Spirited Away" for just a few nights every February.
7 Unmissable Art Festivals in Japan
From galleries to installations ranging across the scenic Japanese countryside, Japan's art scene is capturing the imagination of visitors and locals alike. Find out about a few of the country's most exciting art festivals and plan a creative escapade!
Top 8 Fireworks Festivals In the Kanto Region
Witness the Hanabi Taikai or the Japanese fireworks festival in and around the Kanto region.
Top 4 Snow Festivals in Hokkaido 2020!
Check out our guide to Hokkaido’s biggest and best snow and ice festivals—perfect for making the most of the cold weather!
The 70th Sapporo Snow Festival Kicks Off
The Sapporo Snow Festival is underway in Hokkaido, with more than 190 snow and ice sculptures on display around the city between February 4 to February 11.
Tokyo Festival to Celebrate Japanese Manholes
This Tokyo extravaganza will include everything from actual beautiful manhole covers to goods like miniatures and doormats, as well as manhole cover snacks and treats!
7 Superb Festivals in Nara
Try and catch one of these fantastic events on your trip to this picturesque and historic city!
Men Bare Souls (& Bodies) for Good Fortune
This winter festival in Aomori sees a few dozen men strip down to pray for good health and a good harvest!
Flip Out at This Unique Iwate Event
People compete in Iwate Prefecture to be the best table-flipper, venting their frustrations or shouting out their hopes and dreams.
Enjoy Flower Fun at the Tanto Tulip Festival
Every April the countryside town of Tanto in Hyogo Prefecture holds the Tanto Tulip Festival, which displays over one MILLION tulips of some 300 varieties.
