Japanese Festivals and Fireworks Displays in 2023

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Festivals and fireworks displays are quintessential to Japanese summers, with most of these beloved festivities returning in 2023. This article lists the schedule of various events held across Japan in the summer and autumn of 2023.

Latest update : 2023.07.19

Festivals and Fireworks Displays Scheduled for 2023

While many festivals and fireworks displays were canceled due to COVID-19 over the last few years, 2023 will welcome back many festivities nationwide.

This article introduces festivities scheduled to be held this year.

Japanese Festivals and Fireworks in 2023

1. Festivals and Traditional Events
2. Fireworks Displays in 2023
3. Acces and Tips to Enjoy Japan's Summer Traditions

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Festivals and Traditional Events in 2023

Japanese Festivals and Fireworks Displays Scheduled in 2023

As of May 2023, most festivals from May to August are scheduled to be held.

Region/Festival	Annual Schedule	2023 Schedule
Tokyo/Sanja Festival	Mid-May	May 19 - 21
Kyoto/Aoi Festival	May 15	May 15
Kyoto/Gion Festival	July 1 - 31	July 1 - 31
Fukuoka/Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival	July 1 - 15	July 1 - 15
Osaka/Tenjin Festival	July 24 - 25	July 24 - 25
Aomori/Nebuta Festival	August 2 - 7	August 2 - 7
Akita/Kanto Festival	August 3 - 6	August 3 - 6
Miyagi/Sendai Tanabata Festival	August 3 - 8	August 3 - 8
Kochi/Yosakoi Festival	August 9 - 12	August 9 - 12
Tokushima/Awa Odori	August 12 - 15	August 12 - 15
Nagasaki/Nagasaki Kunchi Festival	October 7 - 9	October 7 - 9
Gifu/Takayama Festival (Autumn)	October 9 - 10	TBA
Saitama/Chichibu Night Festival	December 1 - 6	TBA

The last two events may be canceled or postponed depending on future circumstances. Please be sure to check their official websites.

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Firework Festivals in 2023

Nagahama Kita-Biwako Great Fireworks Festival

Fireworks displays are held annually from June to August. Most of the events will be held in 2023.

Region/Fireworks Display	Annual Schedule	2023 Schedule
Tokyo: Edogawa Fireworks Festival	Early May	August 5
Tokyo: Sumida River Fireworks Festival	End of July	July 29
Tokyo: Katsushika Fireworks Festival	End of July	July 25
Tokyo: Adachi Fireworks Festival	End of July	July 22
Osaka: Tenjin Festival Fireworks Display	End of July	July 25
Saitama: Kumagaya Fireworks Display	Early August	August 12
Osaka: Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival	Early August	August 5
Niigata: Nagaoka Fireworks	Early August	August 2 - 3
Shiga: Nagahama Kita-Biwako Great Fireworks Festival	Early August	TBA
Hyogo: Minato Hanabi Festival	Early August	October 16 - 20
Chiba: Kisarazu Port Festival Fireworks Display	August 15	August 15
Kyoto: Miyazu Toro Nagashi Fireworks Display	Mid August	August 16
Akita: All Japan Fireworks Competition	Last Saturday in August	August 26
Ibaraki: Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition	November 7	November 4

Access and Tips to Enjoy Japan's Summer Traditions

Festivals and fireworks are a signature staple of summer in Japan. Most of the annual festivities nationwide are scheduled to be held in 2023.

Kyoto's Gion Festival, Osaka's Tenjin Festival, and Tokyo's Kanda Festival, all with a long history, are hailed as the three major festivals in Japan. The Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima, where participants will be dancing all night, and the National Fireworks Competition in Akita, a prefecture renowned for pyrotechnics, will also be welcoming spectators.

There are many types of rail passes for overseas visitors, such as the Japan Rail Pass, which allows unlimited rides on the Shinkansen and limited express trains.

These passes are perfect for those interested in traveling all over Japan or touring a specific region. They are all different, so use them in accordance with your itinerary.

MATCHA has partnered with KLOOK, a site handling rail passes and reservations for numerous programs. Do look for a pass that fits your plans.

There is also a budget-friendly Nippon Rent-A-Car 10% Discount Coupon from MATCHA for tourists visiting Japan. Please check it out!

Recommended destinations and seasonal events are listed on the MATCHA website as well. Use this article as a guide when planning a tour of Japan during the summer months. The festivities mentioned above should make a wonderful memory.

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All pictures from Pixta.
This article is a revised 2023 edition of the original published in 2020.

Written by

Mayu

Previous experience as an editor at a women's media company in Japan. I lived in Australia for a while and joined MATCHA after returning to Japan. In charge of editing, promoting sponsored content, and creative direction. I love watching Western TV series.

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