Japan is home to an incredible variety of festivals — or matsuri (祭り) — that celebrate seasons, deities, local communities, nature, history and more. Whether you’re studying in Japan for a semester, living abroad for a while, or planning a longer stay, experiencing a matsuri is a must. Here’s your guide to the types of festivals you’ll find, some of the most popular ones (and where to go), and how you can get the most out of them — plus how DEOW Japan’s partner schools can put you right at the heart of the action.
1. Types of Japanese Festivals (and what they celebrate)
Festivals in Japan come in many shapes, but broadly speaking you can think of three main types: seasonal festivals, religious/shrine-temple festivals, and special local festivals.
Seasonal Festivals
These mark the changes of nature, the agricultural cycle, or particular plants/flowers/phenomena of the moment.
- 春 (Haru) – Spring: Example: Hanami (花見) — cherry blossom viewing.
- 夏 (Natsu) – Summer: Fireworks festivals (hanabi), Bon-dance festivals, ancestor‐spirits festivals.
- 秋 (Aki) – Autumn: Moon‐viewing tsukimi (月見), harvest festivals of crop-thanksgiving.
- 冬 (Fuyu) – Winter: Snow festivals, light festivals, sometimes fire festivals to drive away the cold.
Also, Japan has the traditional “five seasonal festivals” (五節句 go-sekku) such as **Tango no Sekku (端午の節句, Boy’s Festival, May 5) etc.
Religious / Shrine & Temple Festivals
Many matsuri are held in honour of Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples, and involve a mikoshi (神輿) portable shrine, floats (山車 or だし), processions and ritual purification.
These festivals often strengthen community ties, bring local neighbourhoods together, and combine fun with tradition.
Local / Special Festivals
Some matsuri are unique to a region, city or shrine with a particular history. They can involve floats, parades, dances, fire, or very localized traditions. Good examples include dramatic fire festivals or float festivals unique to a locale.
2. Where to Go: Great Locations for Japanese Festivals
Here are some top places where you’ll find rich festival experiences. Many of DEOW Japan’s partner schools are located near major cities or regions that host fantastic matsuri.
- Kyoto: The historic city offers central access to major traditional festivals. For example, the famous Gion Matsuri is held in July in Kyoto. See schools in Kyoto here.
- Tokyo: As a major study-destination city, Tokyo gives you the chance to experience big city matsuri as well as smaller neighbourhood ones (for example, Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa in May). See Schools in Tokyo here.
- Osaka / Kansai region: Close to Kyoto, and with its own major festivals like Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. See Schools in Osaka here.
- If your partner school is located in a particular prefecture, you’ll likely be able to join the local town-matsuri near you — often less crowded and more authentic than the biggest tourist ones.
3. Most Popular Japanese Festivals You Should Know
Here are some of the festivals visitors and locals alike love — attending one of these gives you a “must-see” matsuri experience.
Gion Matsuri (祇園祭) – Kyoto: Held throughout July in Kyoto’s Gion district, centred on Yasaka Shrine. The float parades (yamahoko junkō) on July 17 and 24 are key highlights. Expect lively streets, food stalls, traditional lanterns, and a deep sense of history.
- Sanja Matsuri (三社祭) – Tokyo (Asakusa): Held on the third weekend of May, the Sanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s largest Shinto festivals. It honours the founders of Sensō-ji temple and features mikoshi processions with tens of thousands of participants. It’s energetic, loud, crowded — and a great way to feel the festival atmosphere in the big city.
- Tenjin Matsuri (天神祭) – Osaka: One of Japan’s major festivals, held in late July in Osaka. Features a land parade and a river‐procession with boats and fireworks.
- Karatsu Kunchi (唐津くんち) – Saga Prefecture: Held 2-4 November in Karatsu, Kyūshū, this float festival features fourteen massive hikiyama floats pulled through town and has a long cultural heritage. See Schools in Fukuoka here.
4. How to Immerse Yourself Like a Local
Here are some tips to make your festival experience richer and more “local”:
- Arrive early or stay until late — many festivals run into the evening and the night atmosphere (lanterns, lights, food stalls) is magical.
- Wear something comfortable — many people wear a yukata (浴衣) in summer festivals; even if you don’t buy one, light and breathable clothes help.
- Explore the food stalls (屋台 yatai) — festivals are great for sampling street-food favourites (takoyaki, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, dango, etc).
- Respect the traditions — when you see a mikoshi being carried, people shouting “Wasshoi! Wasshoi!” follow the rhythm and cheer but don’t obstruct the procession.
- Join in if you can — in some matsuri you may be invited to dance or carry a small float if you ask politely.
- Use public transport — many festival areas restrict car access or fill early, so train or bus is best.
- Stay flexible — sometimes routes change due to weather, crowds or local rules.
- Connect with your school community — your partner language-school or university may offer excursions or group visits to nearby festivals.
- Capture the moment — but don’t just photograph: talk to locals, enjoy the ambience, observe the rituals.
At DEOW Japan you have access to partner schools where you can study Japanese language and culture, and be well positioned to experience matsuri nearby. See our partnered schools list here.
Are you ready to study in Japan and immerse yourself in the vibrant festival culture of this country?
Apply today through DEOW Japan and secure your place at one of our partner institutions
