Nara Tokae Lantern Festival Starts Aug 5th

Wish Upon a Lantern at the Nara Tokae Lantern Festival

By Bryan Baier

Culture

Awa Odori in Tokushima

This Awa Odori is an amazing festival rich of culture and history, but the celebration doesn't end when the festival closes. That's when the partying starts, remaining true to its origin and history.

By Lucio Maurizi

Culture

Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri

The Fukagawa Hachiman Matruri is one of the three biggest festivals held in Toyo. Nicknamed mizu-kake matsuri, literally water throwing festival, you will its meaning where people throw water on the mikoshi.

By Guillaume Doré

Culture

Ota Fireworks Festival by Tama River

Commemorating Ota-ku’s declaration of itself as Peace City, a firework festival is held on August 15th every year, the date that marks the end of WWII in Japan.

By Japan Travel

Culture

Nagoya Castle Summer Festival

A festival on the castle grounds in early August is a great way to spend the evening in Nagoya. Food, beer, and fun a-plenty.

By Katrina Webber

Culture

Tsuwano's Obon Dance

Tsuwano dance is a unique obon dance, in the small castle town of Tsuwano, Shimane, that has been performed for over 400 years. It is performed on the 15th of August every year, as their annual Obon dance.

By Denes Perlaky

Culture

Gozan no Okuribi (Mountain Bonfire)

Believed to be dated back to the 13th century, Gozan no Okuribi is an annual traditional event that takes place annually on August 16th to mark the end of the Obon Festival (Festival of the Ancestors). The event places emphasis on setting giant bonfires on each of the five mountains that surround Kyoto city; meant to guide the souls of ancestors who returned to the mortal world during the Obon period back to their world that lies beyond.

By Karen Zheng

Festivals

Hokkai Bon Odori

Hokkai Bon Odori

By Sarah Endarastya