Story 3 Magical Festivals in Japan’s Tokai Region By JNTO on 19 September 2025

For couples seeking romance, adventure, and shared memories, embark on a cultural journey with your loved one through these three magical festivals! 

 

Looking for more than the usual sightseeing? In Japan’s Tokai Region, seasonal festivals blend romance, culture, and adventure—perfect for couples seeking meaningful moments. From witnessing a Sengoku era festival in Gifu to blessings of good fortune in Mie and glowing ice sculptures with Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi, these experiences go beyond the usual travel itinerary. 

 

 

A Grand Celebration of History and Heritage 

Gifu Nobunaga Festival, Gifu Prefecture

 

 

Every first Saturday and Sunday of November, Gifu City comes alive in honour of one of its most famous figures—Oda Nobunaga, the warlord who once ruled from Gifu Castle. The Nobunaga Festival recreates the grandeur of the Sengoku era, filling the streets with the sound of drums, armour-clad battalions, and the energy of a city celebrating its rich history. 

 

 

 

The highlight is the magnificent horseback procession. Nobunaga himself is portrayed in full armour, riding proudly on horseback and accompanied by soldiers and matchlock rifle troops. The procession unfolds like a scene from the past, transporting you back to Japan’s age of warlords. 

 

 

Beyond the parade, the city celebrates with music, stage shows, and lively community events. The festive atmosphere adds a modern touch to this historic celebration, creating the perfect chance to enjoy Gifu’s vibrant culture. For couples, it’s a way to experience history not just as observers, but as part of the celebration. 

 

 

 

Welcoming Good Fortune Together 

Shichifukujin Festival, Mie Prefecture

 

 

In late November, the town of Kuwana in Mie Prefecture comes alive with the spirit of good luck during the Shichifukujin Festival. Held every year at Junen-ji Temple on 23 November, this vibrant event celebrates the Seven Lucky Gods—deities believed to bring prosperity, health, and happiness. For couples, it’s a heartwarming way to share a wish for good fortune in the year ahead. 

 

The day begins with the appearance of the Seven Gods in full costume (sometimes accompanied by the Kuwana mascot!), parading through the town while blessing households and businesses.  

 

The charm of the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin) is that each one is instantly recognisable by their unique look and personality. The seven gods are Ebisuten, Daikokuten, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, Fukurokuju, Jurojin and Hoteison. At the festival, it’s fun to watch for them as they parade through the streets. You can even make it a fun challenge to spot all seven during the parade, and maybe even share which “lucky god” you feel most connected to—whether it’s success in business, love, health, or happiness! 

 

One of the highlights is the “Mochi Nage”, where temple priests and community leaders throw lucky rice cakes from a raised platform to the crowd below. Catching one is said to bring a year of good health and happiness, a fun and symbolic moment for couples to share together. 

 

 

 

A Winter Dream in Ice and Light

Saiko Koori Festival, Yamanashi Prefecture

 

 

On the shores of Lake Saiko, near the base of Mt. Fuji, winter brings one of Yamanashi Prefecture’s most breathtaking seasonal spectacles—the Saiko Koori Festival (‘koori’ means ‘ice’ in Japanese). Held each February at the Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park, the event showcases towering ice sculptures, some reaching five metres high, created by carefully freezing layers of water into shimmering shapes. 

 

 

By daylight, the sculptures sparkle beneath crisp blue skies with Mt. Fuji rising majestically in the distance. As evening falls, colourful lights wash over the frozen forms, transforming them into a glowing dreamscape of blues, purples, and gold. Couples can wander through this illuminated garden, capturing picture-perfect memories together. 

 

 

The atmosphere is further enhanced on weekends and holidays, when food stalls serve steaming local dishes, and cultural performances take the stage. With free entry, free parking, and convenient access from Kawaguchiko Station by bus, the Saiko Koori Festival offers a magical way to embrace Japan’s winter hand in hand with your loved one. 

 

 

 

In every echo of drums, every blessing, and every shimmer of ice, these festivals reveal a side of Japan that feels almost dreamlike. For couples, these moments become more than travel memories—they become shared stories to cherish. 

 

Date of Publication: 19 September 2025