Japan has more matsuri (festivals) than almost any other country in the world, and Japanese festivals ? in all their color, tradition, and exuberance ? are often spectacular.
The celebrations themselves vary widely depending on the occasion, but almost always involve spirited processions of participants vigorously chanting, dancing, and bearing massive, intricately-decorated mikoshi (portable shrines) or floats.
If you want to see Japan at its liveliest, a high-energy matsuri is the place to do it!
In addition to their bursts of color and energy, Japanese matsuri are rich in tradition. And, as if all of this weren’t enough, festivals in Japan are also one of the best places to sample an incredible array of unique, casual, and seasonal Japanese foods.
To the surprise of many, street food is not very prevalent in Japan (unlike in many other parts of Asia). But at matsuri you’ll find the streets lined with yatai (food stall) after colorful yatai, offering a remarkable selection of healthy ? and not-so-healthy ? festival snacks. Originally written in 2017, this post was updated and republished on September 1, 2020.

The Best Japanese Festivals: Our Favorite Matsuri
Japan has too many fantastic matsuri to include in one list!
Below we provide an introduction to what we consider some of the best and most interesting Japanese festivals, including:

Kyoto?s Gion Matsuri
Osaka?s Tenjin Matsuri
Aomori?s Nebuta Matsuri
The Awa Odori festival in Tokushima
And many more!

Of...