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Only in Japan: Unmissable Festivals and Events Worth Travelling For


Nada Fighting Festival

Sydney, Australia – 29 July 2025: From the timeless to the unexpected, Japan’s festivals offer a vivid lens into the country’s rich culture, artistic spirit and deep-rooted traditions. Whether you’re island-hopping through outdoor art installations, witnessing sacred fire rituals at centuries-old shrines, or standing beneath a sky filled with colourful hot air balloons, these experiences invite a deeper connection with Japan’s people, places and traditions.

Some festivals trace their origins back hundreds of years, while others reflect a bold, modern creativity, but all express the unique character and hospitality of Japan. Time your visit right, and you’ll witness moments of beauty, celebration and cultural expression that linger long after your journey ends.

See below for a selection of Japan’s most unforgettable festivals and events:

Island-hopping for art at Setouchi Triennale (Kagawa & Okayama Prefectures)

Set across three seasonal sessions - spring, summer and autumn, this contemporary art festival transforms islands in the Seto Inland Sea into immersive outdoor galleries. Visitors can travel between islands such as Naoshima and Teshima, where abandoned schools and fishing villages become the backdrop for installations, architecture and performance art. It’s an unforgettable way to experience rural Japan through the lens of global creativity.

Walk through fire at Nachi Fire Festival  (Wakayama Prefecture)

Held each year on 14 July, this powerful summer ritual takes place at the base of Japan’s tallest waterfall. In a dramatic purification ceremony, shrine parishioners dressed in white carry large flaming torches, each weighing around 50kg, down a steep stone staircase. The firelight, mist and chanting create an atmosphere thick with spiritual intensity and tradition dating back more than 1,700 years.

Lanterns and coastal parades at Noto Kiriko Festival (Ishikawa Prefecture)

Spanning from July to September, this vibrant summer festival lights up coastal towns with massive illuminated kiriko lantern floats, some towering over 15 metres high. As drummers play hypnotic rhythms, the floats are paraded through narrow streets and sometimes even into the sea. Each town brings its own flair to the celebration, offering travellers an off-the-beaten-path festival experience with deep local roots.

Sky-high spectacle at Saga International Balloon Fiesta (Saga Prefecture) 

Held from 30 October to 3 November in 2025, Japan’s biggest hot air balloon event fills the skies with colour as hundreds of balloons lift off over the riverbanks. Early morning launches, timed for optimal weather and beautiful sunrise conditions, offer a serene yet spectacular sight. In the evening, the balloons display lights that illuminate the night. Family-friendly festival zones, food stalls and local performances make this five-day event a joyful and uplifting autumn highlight in Japan’s festival calendar.

Drumming, dance and rhythm at Earth Celebration on Sado Island (Niigata Prefecture)

Held from 22–24 August, Earth Celebration is a captivating music and culture festival hosted by world-renowned taiko drumming group Kodo. Set against the natural beauty of Sado Island on the Sea of Japan, the festival brings together artists from around the world for three days of rhythm, performance, and connection. Harbour concerts each evening feature Kodo alongside guest artists including Argentine rhythm group el tempo, Senegalese percussionists, and Korean drum performer Choi Jaechol. Fringe performances and interactive workshops across the island give visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the island’s creative spirit, while also connecting with its welcoming local community.

Wildlife watching in Shiretoko National Park (Hokkaido Prefecture)

From April to November, the rich ecosystems of Shiretoko National Park offer a rare window into Japan’s wild side. Recognised as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, this pristine region is home to brown bears, Ezo deer, red foxes, and even endangered birds of prey. Conservation-focused tour operator Picchio leads a range of wildlife experiences, from guided forest treks past waterfalls and sea cliffs to night drives that spotlight nocturnal activity. The tours are designed to educate and inspire, highlighting the intricate balance between land, sea and wildlife that makes Shiretoko one of Japan’s most extraordinary natural environments.

Catch the summer rhythm with Japan’s festival season

From July to August, Japan comes alive with fireworks, folk dances and lantern-lit streets as summer matsuri roll out across the country. Travellers can dance alongside locals in the swirling energy of Tokushima’s Awa Odori, marvel at the towering floats of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, or soak up the spectacle of Aomori’s Nebuta parade. Every corner of Japan celebrates in its own colourful, energetic way.

Baseball, the Japanese way

Running from March through October, baseball season in Japan is far more than just sport, it’s a full-blown cultural experience. With choreographed fan chants, brass bands, costumed mascots and beer vendors weaving through the crowds, the atmosphere is electric. A game is a perfect window into the passion and precision that define Japanese popular culture.

Bizarre, Brilliant, and Totally Unmissable: Japan’s Most Unique Festivals

These eccentric Japanese events offer travellers a different kind of cultural connection, one that’s playful, unexpected, and guaranteed to make a great story.

Ride the logs at Onbashira Matsuri (Nagano Prefecture)

Only held once every six years, with the next edition scheduled for April 2028, this thrilling festival features teams of men hauling and riding massive tree trunks down steep mountain slopes. The logs are eventually raised at a shrine in a ritual symbolising renewal and bravery. It’s wild, dangerous, and one of the most jaw-dropping displays of collective energy and courage anywhere in Japan.

Saidaiji Eyo Naked Man Festival (Okayama Prefecture)

On the third Saturday of February, thousands of men wearing only white loincloths pack into a temple in winter to compete for lucky wooden sticks thrown into the crowd by a priest. The mayhem that ensues is part spiritual rite, part physical endurance test, and all unforgettable. Despite the cold and chaos, it’s considered one of the country’s most sacred traditions.

Clashing shrines at Nada Fighting Festival (Hyogo Prefecture)

Held each October in Himeji, the Nada Fighting Festival is one of Japan’s most exhilarating and physically intense festivals. The highlight takes place on the second day, when men from local districts crash portable shrines (mikoshi) into one another in dramatic, ritualistic clashes that symbolise strength, bravery, and a plea for a bountiful harvest. The mikoshi, weighing up to 2.5 tonnes, are carried by men grouped by age, who chant and surge through the crowds in a blur of colour and motion. It’s loud, wild, and unforgettable – a powerful expression of community spirit and devotion like no other.

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For additional information or image requests, please contact:

Anne Wild & Associates – JNTO’s PR Representatives in Australia
Emily Watters, Senior Account Manager
ewatters@awassociates.com.au  +61 449 506 064

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