Nachi Katsuura Fire Festival

A fire festival held in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture every early August. Thousands of lanterns illuminate the Nachi River while fireworks paint the night sky. A significant summer festival expressing gratitude for Kumano faith and ocean blessings. Continuing from the Edo period, the fusion of floating lanterns and fireworks creates a uniquely rare spectacle nationwide.

A summer festival held in August in Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture. Vigorous portable shrines and lantern-lit festival floats illuminate the castle town's summer evenings over three days. Maintaining the atmosphere of a Sengoku-period castle town, it attracts about 200,000 visitors as a representative seasonal event.

A summer festival held at Namanido Shrine in Bungo-Ono, Oita. Young men carry portable shrines through town in a spirited celebration. Known for its grassroots, handmade atmosphere and resistance to over-commercialization, it represents authentic local summer festival culture and plays a vital role in community heritage preservation.

A spring festival held in Minabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan's premier plum production area, from mid-February through early March. The extensive plum orchards display stunning white and red blossoms in contrast. Exhibits of plum liqueur and preserved plums showcase local products. It exemplifies the fusion of agricultural plum culture with tourism and regional resource utilization.

A summer festival held in early August in Otaru, Hokkaido, celebrating the tide and maritime heritage of this port town. Features processions with portable shrines, fireworks, and lantern parades that unfold in the evening. Capturing the essence of a port town summer, it represents a signature seasonal event during peak summer tourism.

A Tokyo summer tradition with about 20,000 fireworks. Dating back to 1733, it is among Japan's oldest, drawing about 1 million spectators. Yukata-clad visitors add shitamachi charm.