Aomori Nebuta Festival

A major summer festival held in early August in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture. Giant illuminated paper lantern figures made of bamboo and washi paper parade through the nighttime streets. With over 1,000 years of history and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status, it attracts approximately 3 million visitors annually as a defining summer tradition.

Winter festivals of snow and ice held across Japan, led by the famous Sapporo Snow Festival. Featuring massive snow and ice sculptures enhanced with modern technologies like projection mapping, they have become signature winter tourism attractions.

Fireworks festivals held across Japan as quintessential summer events. From the Sumida River Fireworks to Omagari, tens of thousands of fireworks illuminate the night sky. Together with the tradition of wearing yukata, they have become iconic symbols of the Japanese summer.

One of Japan's three great festivals, a month-long celebration in July at Yasaka Shrine in Higashiyama, Kyoto. The parade of 33 yamahoko floats is designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The float processions and yoiyama evening street stalls are iconic summer traditions of Kyoto.

A cultural celebration of spring cherry blossoms symbolic of Japan's season. A tradition continuing from the Edo period, it is now established as a national custom. People enjoy outdoor picnics called 'hanami' with family and friends, with festivals held at approximately 1,500 cherry blossom sites nationwide. Attracting over 200 million participants annually, it represents Japan's most significant seasonal cultural event. Gaining global attention through social media as Japan's spring symbol.

Japan's largest Bon dance festival held annually in August in Tokushima City. Known for the chant 'Fools dance and fools watch, if both are fools, you're a fool not to dance,' approximately 1.3 million people participate. With over 400 years of history, it offers both polished performances by famous troupes and the inclusive spirit of open-participation 'niwaka' groups.