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🏮 Festivals season

Japan by Season

Blossom, fresh green, fireworks, maples, illuminations and snow — what each month of the Japanese year is actually worth travelling for, and the window each spot is at its best.

63 seasonal windows tagged “Illuminations” · timings shift with the weather each year — confirm before booking.

Summer in Japan — best right now

Sumiyoshi Taisha — Ancient Shinto Shrine Architecture
Festivals
Ends in 2 days
Osaka

Sumiyoshi Taisha — Ancient Shinto Shrine Architecture

July 30 – August 1

Major festival: July 30–August 1

Gujo Hachiman — Water Town of Springs & Canals
Festivals
Gifu

Gujo Hachiman — Water Town of Springs & Canals

July 13 – September 7

Gujo Odori festival (July 13–September 7) especially the all-night dancing (Obon, mid-August)

Ajigaura Beach — Surfing & Coastal Escape
Sea & beaches
Ibaraki

Ajigaura Beach — Surfing & Coastal Escape

Early July – late August(approx.)

July–August (swimming season)

Iso Beach — City Beach with Volcano View
Sea & beaches
Kagoshima

Iso Beach — City Beach with Volcano View

Early July – late August(approx.)

July–August for official swimming season (lifeguards, warm water 25–28°C). Late afternoon (16:00–18:00) any season for…

January

13 spots
Nabana no Sato — Japan's Largest Winter Illumination Garden

Nabana no Sato — Japan's Largest Winter Illumination Garden

IlluminationsEarly December – mid February (approx.)

Mie

Miyama Kayabuki Village — Thatched-Roof Hamlet

Miyama Kayabuki Village — Thatched-Roof Hamlet

IlluminationsMid January (approx.)

Kyoto

Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) — Open-Air Museum of Farmhouses

Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) — Open-Air Museum of Farmhouses

IlluminationsLate January (approx.)

Gifu

Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) — Frozen Ice Tree Sculptures

Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) — Frozen Ice Tree Sculptures

IlluminationsLate December – mid February (approx.)

Yamagata

Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages — UNESCO Farmhouses in Snow Country

Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages — UNESCO Farmhouses in Snow Country

IlluminationsLate January – mid February (approx.)

Toyama

Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village — UNESCO World Heritage Farmhouses

Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village — UNESCO World Heritage Farmhouses

IlluminationsEarly January – mid February (approx.)

Gifu

Minato Mirai 21 — Futuristic Waterfront Skyline

Minato Mirai 21 — Futuristic Waterfront Skyline

IlluminationsEarly December – late January (approx.)

Kanagawa

Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy

Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Tochigi

Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination

Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Hyogo

Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour

Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Osaka

Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination

Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Fukushima

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Hyogo

Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest

Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Kagoshima

February

13 spots
Nabana no Sato — Japan's Largest Winter Illumination Garden

Nabana no Sato — Japan's Largest Winter Illumination Garden

IlluminationsEarly December – mid February (approx.)

Mie

Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) — Frozen Ice Tree Sculptures

Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) — Frozen Ice Tree Sculptures

IlluminationsLate December – mid February (approx.)

Yamagata

Zuiryuji Temple — Zen Architecture Perfection

Zuiryuji Temple — Zen Architecture Perfection

IlluminationsMid February (approx.)

Toyama

Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages — UNESCO Farmhouses in Snow Country

Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages — UNESCO Farmhouses in Snow Country

IlluminationsLate January – mid February (approx.)

Toyama

Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) — Open-Air Museum of Farmhouses

Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) — Open-Air Museum of Farmhouses

IlluminationsMid January – mid February (approx.)

Gifu

Enoshima Island — Sacred Island with Caves and Ocean Views

Enoshima Island — Sacred Island with Caves and Ocean Views

IlluminationsEarly February – mid February (approx.)

Kanagawa

Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village — UNESCO World Heritage Farmhouses

Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village — UNESCO World Heritage Farmhouses

IlluminationsEarly January – mid February (approx.)

Gifu

Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy

Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Tochigi

Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination

Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Hyogo

Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour

Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Osaka

Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination

Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Fukushima

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Hyogo

Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest

Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Kagoshima

March

13 spots
Nagoya Castle Night Illumination — Seasonal Light-Up Events

Nagoya Castle Night Illumination — Seasonal Light-Up Events

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Aichi

Toyama City Night View from Kureha Hills — Illuminated Bay Panorama

Toyama City Night View from Kureha Hills — Illuminated Bay Panorama

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Toyama

Hagi Castle Ruins — Seaside Fortress Foundations

Hagi Castle Ruins — Seaside Fortress Foundations

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Yamaguchi

Hiroshima Castle — Reconstructed Fortress & Samurai Museum

Hiroshima Castle — Reconstructed Fortress & Samurai Museum

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Hiroshima

Iwakuni Castle — Hilltop Fortress Over the Valley

Iwakuni Castle — Hilltop Fortress Over the Valley

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Yamaguchi

Kikko Park — Samurai Gardens and White Snakes

Kikko Park — Samurai Gardens and White Snakes

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Yamaguchi

Maizuru Castle Park — Cherry Blossoms and Kofu Views

Maizuru Castle Park — Cherry Blossoms and Kofu Views

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Yamanashi

Matsuyama Castle — Hilltop Fortress with Original Keep

Matsuyama Castle — Hilltop Fortress with Original Keep

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Ehime

Odawara Castle — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress

Odawara Castle — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Kanagawa

Sunpu Castle Park — Tokugawa Ieyasu's Retirement Residence

Sunpu Castle Park — Tokugawa Ieyasu's Retirement Residence

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Shizuoka

Tsuyama Castle Ruins — Sakura no Meiho Cherry Blossom Fortress

Tsuyama Castle Ruins — Sakura no Meiho Cherry Blossom Fortress

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Okayama

Yasaka Shrine — Gion's Guardian Shrine

Yasaka Shrine — Gion's Guardian Shrine

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Kyoto

Korakuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens

Korakuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens

IlluminationsLate March – late April (approx.)

Okayama

April

20 spots
Nagoya Castle Night Illumination — Seasonal Light-Up Events

Nagoya Castle Night Illumination — Seasonal Light-Up Events

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Aichi

Toyama City Night View from Kureha Hills — Illuminated Bay Panorama

Toyama City Night View from Kureha Hills — Illuminated Bay Panorama

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Toyama

Kanazawa Castle Park — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress

Kanazawa Castle Park — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress

IlluminationsEarly April (approx.)

Ishikawa

Maruoka Castle — Japan's Oldest Surviving Keep

Maruoka Castle — Japan's Oldest Surviving Keep

IlluminationsEarly April (approx.)

Fukui

Senshu Park — Kubota Castle Ruins & Cherry Blossoms

Senshu Park — Kubota Castle Ruins & Cherry Blossoms

IlluminationsLate April (approx.)

Akita

Shiroishi Castle

Shiroishi Castle

IlluminationsMid April (approx.)

Miyagi

Yonago Castle Ruins — 360° Panorama Over San'in Coast

Yonago Castle Ruins — 360° Panorama Over San'in Coast

IlluminationsEarly April (approx.)

Tottori

Hagi Castle Ruins — Seaside Fortress Foundations

Hagi Castle Ruins — Seaside Fortress Foundations

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Yamaguchi

Hiroshima Castle — Reconstructed Fortress & Samurai Museum

Hiroshima Castle — Reconstructed Fortress & Samurai Museum

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Hiroshima

Iwakuni Castle — Hilltop Fortress Over the Valley

Iwakuni Castle — Hilltop Fortress Over the Valley

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Yamaguchi

Kikko Park — Samurai Gardens and White Snakes

Kikko Park — Samurai Gardens and White Snakes

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Yamaguchi

Maizuru Castle Park — Cherry Blossoms and Kofu Views

Maizuru Castle Park — Cherry Blossoms and Kofu Views

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Yamanashi

Matsuyama Castle — Hilltop Fortress with Original Keep

Matsuyama Castle — Hilltop Fortress with Original Keep

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Ehime

Odawara Castle — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress

Odawara Castle — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Kanagawa

Sunpu Castle Park — Tokugawa Ieyasu's Retirement Residence

Sunpu Castle Park — Tokugawa Ieyasu's Retirement Residence

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Shizuoka

Tsuyama Castle Ruins — Sakura no Meiho Cherry Blossom Fortress

Tsuyama Castle Ruins — Sakura no Meiho Cherry Blossom Fortress

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Okayama

Yasaka Shrine — Gion's Guardian Shrine

Yasaka Shrine — Gion's Guardian Shrine

IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)

Kyoto

Hirosaki Castle — Cherry Blossom Paradise

Hirosaki Castle — Cherry Blossom Paradise

IlluminationsLate April – early May (approx.)

Aomori

Korakuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens

Korakuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens

IlluminationsLate March – late April (approx.)

Okayama

Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy

Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy

IlluminationsLate April (approx.)

Tochigi

May

2 spots
Northern Culture Museum — Landlord's Estate Garden Paradise

Northern Culture Museum — Landlord's Estate Garden Paradise

IlluminationsMay 5–10

Niigata

Hirosaki Castle — Cherry Blossom Paradise

Hirosaki Castle — Cherry Blossom Paradise

IlluminationsLate April – early May (approx.)

Aomori

June

2 spots
Nanrakuen Garden — Plum Blossoms and Iris

Nanrakuen Garden — Plum Blossoms and Iris

IlluminationsEarly June (approx.)

Ehime

Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds

Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds

IlluminationsEarly June – late August (approx.)

Gifu

JulyThis month

6 spots
Kifune Shrine — Summer River Dining Platforms

Kifune Shrine — Summer River Dining Platforms

IlluminationsLate July – mid August (approx.)

Kyoto

Gamagori Laguna Ten Bosch — Seaside Theme Park & Hot Springs

Gamagori Laguna Ten Bosch — Seaside Theme Park & Hot Springs

IlluminationsEarly July – late August (approx.)

Aichi

Yoshinogari Historical Park — Japan's Largest Yayoi Settlement

Yoshinogari Historical Park — Japan's Largest Yayoi Settlement

IlluminationsEarly July – late August (approx.)

Saga

Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds

Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds

IlluminationsEarly June – late August (approx.)

Gifu

Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside

Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside

IlluminationsEarly July – late October (approx.)

Nagasaki

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine — Matchmaking Power Spot

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine — Matchmaking Power Spot

IlluminationsEarly July – late September (approx.)

Saitama

August

9 spots
Tachineputa Matsuri — 23-Meter Tall Float Festival

Tachineputa Matsuri — 23-Meter Tall Float Festival

IlluminationsAugust 4–8

Aomori

Yosakoi Festival — Dance Explosion in August

Yosakoi Festival — Dance Explosion in August

IlluminationsAugust 9–12

Kochi

Kifune Shrine — Summer River Dining Platforms

Kifune Shrine — Summer River Dining Platforms

IlluminationsLate July – mid August (approx.)

Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera — Wooden Stage Over Cherry Trees

Kiyomizu-dera — Wooden Stage Over Cherry Trees

IlluminationsAugust (approx.)

Kyoto

Gamagori Laguna Ten Bosch — Seaside Theme Park & Hot Springs

Gamagori Laguna Ten Bosch — Seaside Theme Park & Hot Springs

IlluminationsEarly July – late August (approx.)

Aichi

Yoshinogari Historical Park — Japan's Largest Yayoi Settlement

Yoshinogari Historical Park — Japan's Largest Yayoi Settlement

IlluminationsEarly July – late August (approx.)

Saga

Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds

Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds

IlluminationsEarly June – late August (approx.)

Gifu

Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside

Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside

IlluminationsEarly July – late October (approx.)

Nagasaki

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine — Matchmaking Power Spot

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine — Matchmaking Power Spot

IlluminationsEarly July – late September (approx.)

Saitama

September

2 spots
Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside

Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside

IlluminationsEarly July – late October (approx.)

Nagasaki

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine — Matchmaking Power Spot

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine — Matchmaking Power Spot

IlluminationsEarly July – late September (approx.)

Saitama

October

1 spot
Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside

Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside

IlluminationsEarly July – late October (approx.)

Nagasaki

November

17 spots
Eikan-do Temple — Autumn Foliage Night Illumination

Eikan-do Temple — Autumn Foliage Night Illumination

IlluminationsMid November (approx.)

Kyoto

Nagoya Castle Night Illumination — Seasonal Light-Up Events

Nagoya Castle Night Illumination — Seasonal Light-Up Events

IlluminationsMid November (approx.)

Aichi

Ishiyama-dera Temple — Literary & Autumn Color Spot

Ishiyama-dera Temple — Literary & Autumn Color Spot

IlluminationsMid November – late November (approx.)

Shiga

Kanazawa Castle Park — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress

Kanazawa Castle Park — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress

IlluminationsMid November (approx.)

Ishikawa

Momiji Kairo Maple Corridor — Autumn Foliage Tunnel

Momiji Kairo Maple Corridor — Autumn Foliage Tunnel

IlluminationsEarly November (approx.)

Yamanashi

Ritsurin Garden

Ritsurin Garden

IlluminationsMid November – early December (approx.)

Kagawa

Nagatoro Autumn Foliage — River Gorge Maple Tunnel

Nagatoro Autumn Foliage — River Gorge Maple Tunnel

IlluminationsMid November – early December (approx.)

Saitama

Kochi Castle — Original Tenshu & Honmaru Intact

Kochi Castle — Original Tenshu & Honmaru Intact

IlluminationsMid November – late November (approx.)

Kochi

Mifuneyama Rakuen — Garden in a Cliff Face

Mifuneyama Rakuen — Garden in a Cliff Face

IlluminationsMid November – late November (approx.)

Saga

Sakae District — Nagoya's Neon-Lit Shopping & Nightlife Heart

Sakae District — Nagoya's Neon-Lit Shopping & Nightlife Heart

IlluminationsMid November – late December (approx.)

Aichi

Yuushien Garden — Floating Peony Paradise Island

Yuushien Garden — Floating Peony Paradise Island

IlluminationsMid November – late December (approx.)

Shimane

Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy

Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Tochigi

Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination

Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Hyogo

Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour

Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Osaka

Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination

Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Fukushima

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Hyogo

Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest

Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Kagoshima

December

17 spots
Nabana no Sato — Japan's Largest Winter Illumination Garden

Nabana no Sato — Japan's Largest Winter Illumination Garden

IlluminationsEarly December – mid February (approx.)

Mie

Ritsurin Garden

Ritsurin Garden

IlluminationsMid November – early December (approx.)

Kagawa

Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) — Frozen Ice Tree Sculptures

Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) — Frozen Ice Tree Sculptures

IlluminationsLate December – mid February (approx.)

Yamagata

Nagatoro Autumn Foliage — River Gorge Maple Tunnel

Nagatoro Autumn Foliage — River Gorge Maple Tunnel

IlluminationsMid November – early December (approx.)

Saitama

Kitano Ijinkan — Western Mansions from the Meiji Era

Kitano Ijinkan — Western Mansions from the Meiji Era

IlluminationsDecember (approx.)

Hyogo

Kyoto Station Building — Futuristic Glass Cathedral

Kyoto Station Building — Futuristic Glass Cathedral

IlluminationsDecember (approx.)

Kyoto

Momotaro Dori — Shopping Boulevard & Urban Heart

Momotaro Dori — Shopping Boulevard & Urban Heart

IlluminationsDecember (approx.)

Okayama

Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade — 600m Covered Shopping Street

Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade — 600m Covered Shopping Street

IlluminationsDecember (approx.)

Osaka

Sakae District — Nagoya's Neon-Lit Shopping & Nightlife Heart

Sakae District — Nagoya's Neon-Lit Shopping & Nightlife Heart

IlluminationsMid November – late December (approx.)

Aichi

Yuushien Garden — Floating Peony Paradise Island

Yuushien Garden — Floating Peony Paradise Island

IlluminationsMid November – late December (approx.)

Shimane

Minato Mirai 21 — Futuristic Waterfront Skyline

Minato Mirai 21 — Futuristic Waterfront Skyline

IlluminationsEarly December – late January (approx.)

Kanagawa

Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy

Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Tochigi

Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination

Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Hyogo

Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour

Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Osaka

Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination

Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Fukushima

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Hyogo

Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest

Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest

IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)

Kagoshima

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