Traditional Festivals in Japan 2026–27

8 of Japan's big matsuri, in date order — float parades, fire festivals and shrine fairs, with this year's dates and times checked against official sources.

A matsuri is a shrine or temple festival, and the big ones are among the most spectacular things to see in Japan: towering floats hauled through old towns, costume processions, and villages lit by torches. Autumn is float-festival season, from Takayama and Nagasaki in early October to Chichibu in December.

Festivals in Japan: common questions

What are the big festivals in Japan this autumn?
In date order: Nagasaki Kunchi (Wed, Oct 7 – Fri, Oct 9, 2026); Takayama Autumn Festival (Hachiman Matsuri) (Fri, Oct 9 – Sat, Oct 10, 2026); Kawagoe Festival (Kawagoe Matsuri) (Sat, Oct 17 – Sun, Oct 18, 2026); Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) (Thu, October 22, 2026); Kurama Fire Festival (Thu, October 22, 2026); Karatsu Kunchi (Mon, Nov 2 – Wed, Nov 4, 2026); Tori no Ichi at Otori Shrine, Asakusa (Sat, Nov 7 & Thu, Nov 19, 2026); Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu Yomatsuri) (Wed, Dec 2 – Thu, Dec 3, 2026).
Do the festival dates change every year?
Many are fixed to the calendar — Nagasaki Kunchi is always October 7–9, the Jidai Matsuri and the Kurama Fire Festival October 22, Karatsu Kunchi November 2–4 and the Chichibu Night Festival December 2–3. Others move: the Kawagoe Festival follows the third weekend of October, and Tori no Ichi follows the zodiac calendar. Each page shows this year's dates from the official source.
Do I need tickets to watch a matsuri?
Almost never — watching from the street is free. Some festivals sell grandstand seats (the Jidai Matsuri's are sold through the Kyoto City Tourism Association), and the bigger ones draw huge crowds, so arrive early and book accommodation well ahead.

Fireworks festivals → · Autumn leaves to see on the same trip →