Japan Event Calendar: April and May 2026

Every year, the Ogiyama Fire Festival sets Mount Ohira in Beppu ablaze. Launched in 1976 as part of the Beppu Onsen Festival, which offers free access to numerous hot springs, the event features dancing, food stalls and fireworks during the days of celebration. It culminates in a fire purification ritual on the summit of Mount Ogiyama, visible from the city's heights. Our favorite place to watch the flames: the Yukemuri Observatory in Jumonjibaru.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Tsurumi, Beppu, Oita 874-0840, Japan

SCHEDULE: Festivities run from morning to evening. Please consult the program on the event website

WEBSITE: beppu-event.jp

Chindon is a traditional form of advertising in which participants attract the attention of passers-by to announce the opening of local businesses or events, to the rhythm of the taiko. The National Chindon Competition, a true springtime institution in Toyama, is the only one of its kind in Japan! Every year, it culminates in a parade attended by over 200 people!

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Toyamaken Akasaka Kaikan, 7 Chome-5-51 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan

OPENING HOURS : Friday, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10 am

WEBSITE: ccis-toyama.or.jp

In Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, the opening parade of the Hina Matsuri launches the doll festivities, a springtime tradition designed to wish little girls health and happiness. Starting at the Hiyoshi Shrine, participants parade in historic costumes, accompanied by traditional music and dance. Admire the dolls on display in the town and enjoy the street food stalls lining the streets.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Hiyoshi Shrine, 6-1 Sakamotomachi, Yanagawa, Fukuoka 832-0076 Japan

HOURS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m

WEBSITE: yanagawa-net.com

If there's one flower that blooms in springtime, it's the shibazakura! This lawn cherry, as it's nicknamed, blooms on the hillsides to the delight of the eye. In Fujikawaguchiko, over 200,000 flowers surround Mount Fuji!

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Motosuko, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0332, Japan

HOURS: 8am to 5pm

WEBSITE: fujimotosuko-resort.jp

A 1200-year-old tradition, Nikko's Yayoi Festival celebrates spring at Futarasan Shrine with a procession of 11 floats decorated with artificial azaleas. On April 16th, a neighborhood parade and ritual on the Shinkyo Bridge kick off the festivities. The festivities continue the following day, when the floats gather at the shrine. All the more reason to celebrate Nikko's centuries-old heritage!

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Nikko Futarasan-jinja Haiden, 2307 Sannai, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1431, Japan

HOURS: 1:30 pm to 8:30 pm

WEBSITE: futarasan.jp (Japanese only)

Hirosaki Cherry Festival (Hirosaki)

April 17th - May 5th

The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, held on the grounds of the Hirosaki Castle Park, is one of the best places to celebrate Hanami in Japan! The park boasts some 2,600 cherry trees, pruned according to local traditions inspired by the pruning of apple trees (the region's specialty). Every evening, the trees are illuminated until 10 p.m., providing an enchanting spectacle after sunset.

KYOTOGRAPHY 2026 (Kyoto)

April 18th - May 17th

KYOTOGRAPHIE is one of the biggest photography festivals in the world! For four weeks, Kyoto becomes a huge open-air gallery, with exhibitions set up all over the city, guided by a theme renewed each year. Since its inception in 2013, the festival has attracted over 380,000 visitors from all over the world, offering everyone a unique experience blending art, heritage and urban exploration.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS and TIMETABLE: Please visit the official website

WEBSITE: kyotographie.jp

What makes it special? Refreshment stations featuring regional specialties are set up every 2 km! Accessible to all, it includes a full marathon, half-marathon, 5km and children's races. The event doubles up as a sake festival and a host of other activities.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Amagata-161番地84 Hasamachokitakata, Tome, Miyagi 987-0513, Japan

SCHEDULE: Main marathon event starts at 12 p.m

WEBSITE: tohokumarathon.com

Every spring, koinobori (carp streamers) are hung in anticipation of Children's Day on May 5. They symbolize strength, courage and perseverance, like carp swimming against the current. In Niigata, the Kamo Koinobori Festival, held since 1989, sees over 500 koinobori floating above the Kamo River. A spectacle much appreciated by the locals, who come to enjoy the scenery and picnic with family.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 1 Ekimae, Kamo, Niigata 959-1378, Japan

HOURS: 24h/24

WEBSITE: niigata-kankou.or.jp (in Japanese only)

The Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival is a Japanese tradition in which one-year-old babies, dressed in their finest, compete in an unusual contest: the first to cry wins. Carried by sumo wrestlers, the babies are teased with a tengu mask to induce crying. Crying is said to symbolize strength and health, as well as warding off evil spirits. In Asakusa, participation is limited to 100 babies drawn at random, with two rounds behind Sensoji Temple: at 11.10am and 2.25pm.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Sensoji Temple, 2-chōme-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tōkyō-to 111-0032, Japan

SCHEDULE: 11:10 a.m. and 2:25 p.m

WEBSITE: e-asakusa.jp/en

For several days, Osaka Comic Con offers exhibitions, book signings, conferences and pop culture previews. Whether you're a fan of video games, manga or TV series, don't miss this not-to-be-missed event in Osaka. Meet passionate creators, take part in interactive activities and stock up on merchandise in a festive, immersive atmosphere!

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: INTEX Osaka, 1-5-102 Nankokita, Suminoe Ward, Osaka, 559-0034, Japan

HOURS: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WEBSITE: osakacomiccon.jp

Hino Shinsengumi Matsuri (Hino)

May 9th to 10th

Every year in Hino, a suburb of Tokyo, the Hino Shinsengumi Matsuri celebrates the Shinsengumi, a shogun militia whose vice-captain, Toshizo Hijikata, was a native of Hino. To mark the occasion, the festival features exhibitions and performances throughout the city, as well as a parade of over 400 participants dressed in the blue uniform of the Shinsengumi. A not-to-be-missed event for history buffs.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Hinoshuku Information Center, 7 Chome-５-6, Hinohonmachi, Hino, Tokyo 191-001, Japan; Takahata Fudoson, 733 Takahata, Hino, Tokyo 191-0031 Japan

HOURS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WEBSITE: shinsenhino.com

The May Grand SumoTournament in Tokyo is one of six official professional sumo tournaments, attracting the best wrestlers in Japan. For 15 days, the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, an emblematic arena on the archipelago, hosts bouts where strength, technique and tradition combine to the delight of spectators. A great opportunity to discover sumo in all its authenticity!

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Ryōgoku Kokugikan, 1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida, Tokyo, Japan

SCHEDULE: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with main fights in the afternoon

WEBSITE (and reservations): sumo.or.jp

Every May 15, the Yubana Festival at Hirayu Onsen (Takayama) pays tribute to the region's hot springs. The spa, located at an altitude of 1,250 meters at the foot of Mount Norikura, boasts some forty springs renowned for their medicinal virtues. The highlight of the festival takes place at the Hirayu sanctuary, where spring water is heated in a cauldron using gomaki (wooden prayer sticks), then blessed by a Shinto priest. From 1pm, there's a market where you can buy ema for writing wishes.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Hirayu Shrine (Hirayu Onsen), 24-1 Okuhida Onsengo Hirayu, Takayama, Gifu 506-1433, Japan

HOURS: market from 1 p.m., main ritual around 7 p.m.

WEBSITE: okuhida.or.jp

With over 2 million visitors a year, the Sanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo's biggest festivals! The highlight of the matsuri is the parade of 100 mikoshi (portable shrines) from Asakusa Shrine through the Senso-ji site. We recommend its intoxicating atmosphere to anyone who's not afraid of crowds.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Sensoji temple, 2-chōme-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tōkyō-to 111-0032, Japan

HOURS: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WEBSITE: asakusajinja.jp

Every May, at the Toshogu Shrine, the Nikko Grand Spring Festival kicks off with a tournament of Yabusame, traditional archery on horseback. The archers proudly parade before shooting three arrows at a 70 m gallop. This ancestral tradition is overseen by the descendants of the Tokugawa, the shogun family who ruled Japan for over 260 years. A not-to-be-missed spectacle if you're in the area!

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Nikko Toshogu Shrine, 2301 Sannai, Nikko, Tochigi, Japan

SCHEDULE: from 1pm

WEBSITE: toshogu.jp (in Japanese only)

Nikko 1000 samurai procession (Nikko)

May 18th

On the second day of the Nikko Grand Spring Festival, 1,000 participants parade in traditional warrior outfits, escorting mikoshi along a one-kilometer route. The procession re-enacts the movement of the divine spirit of Ieyasu Tokugawa, founder of the Tokugawa dynasty, and provides an interactive way to discover the Toshogu site (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Nikko Toshogu Shrine, 2301 Sannai, Nikko, Tochigi, Japan

OPENING HOURS: from 10 a.m.

WEBSITE: toshogu.jp (in Japanese only)

This year, Tokyo celebrates the 10th anniversary of Pokémon GO with an exceptional event at Odaiba Seaside Park (themed activities are also taking place in the Minato, Koto and Shinagawa districts). From May 25, players will be able to explore the city with the City Exploration Ticket, a worldwide exclusive! On the program? Encounters with rare Pokémon, interactive animations, original photo spots and an immersion in the capital's cultural treasures. A unique experience that will delight fans of the franchise!

HANABI MAGIC Fuji (Yamanakako)

May 30th

This spectacular display of over 10,000 fireworks brings the shores of Lake Yamanaka, at the foot of Mount Fuji, to life for an exceptional evening. The event is designed as a sensory experience, with fireworks synchronized to music and moments of silence to savor the moment. Seating is at an additional cost and is designed to offer a breathtaking view of the lake. Please note: tickets go on sale at the end of March on the official website.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Yamanakako Communication Plaza KIRARA, 479-2 Hirano, Yamanakako, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0502, Japan

SCHEDULE: TBA

WEBSITE: prtimes.jp (more information on reservations should appear at the end of March)

FURTHER INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Kobe Harborland, 1 Higashikawasakicho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0044, Japan

SCHEDULE:

• May 31st: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• June 1st: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• June 2nd: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WEBSITE: city.hirosaki.aomori.jp (in Japanese only)