Gion Matsuri — Kyoto
1,150 years unbroken — Japan's oldest festival
Gion Matsuri guide →July 10, 2026 · Day 191
Your Guide to Japan's Seasons
Japan Events Guide
Cherry blossoms, fireworks, autumn leaves, festivals and winter illuminations — plan your perfect Japan trip
In season now
What's happening in Japan right now
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Japan's weather right now
Tokyo
Today
31° / 22°
Kyoto
Today
33° / 21°
Osaka
Today
30° / 22°
Sapporo
Today
23° / 19°
☔ 100%
Fukuoka
Today
31° / 25°
☔ 82%
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Explore by Season
🌸 Spring 2026 — Cherry Blossoms
Peak bloom across Japan from late March to May
Ueno Park
Tokyo, Tokyo
One of Japan's most famous hanami spots with over 1,000 cherry trees lining the park paths. Expect huge crowds but an unforgettable atmosphere.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Tokyo, Tokyo
A spacious national garden with 1,500 cherry trees of 65 varieties. The longest blooming season in Tokyo thanks to its variety of species.
Maruyama Park
Kyoto, Kyoto
Kyoto's most popular hanami spot, famous for its giant weeping cherry tree illuminated at night. Located right next to Yasaka Shrine.
Year-Round Highlights
Plan Your Japan Trip
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Plan the Perfect Trip to Japan in 2026
Japan Events Guide is your one-stop planner for Japan's seasonal events — cherry blossom (sakura) viewing in spring, fireworks festivals (hanabi) in summer, traditional matsuri parades, autumn foliage (koyo) hunting, and winter illuminations. We cover every major event with forecast dates, the best viewing spots, hotels nearby, getting-there info, and where to eat.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning Japan fan, our guides combine real local knowledge with practical booking advice — peak dates, crowd levels, paid seat options, English-friendly restaurants, and money-saving tips like the JR Pass cost breakdown.
Available in English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean. All content updated for the 2026 calendar.
📍 This Month — June 2026
Book Your Summer Japan Trip NOW
Summer fireworks and matsuri festivals book up 4–6 months ahead. June is your last window to secure hotels in fireworks-town and Kyoto during Gion Matsuri. Start here:
Most Popular Japan Travel Guides
Our most-read planning articles, updated for 2026.
Best Fireworks Festivals in Japan 2026
Japan's biggest and most spectacular summer fireworks festivals, and how to plan around them.
Best Summer Festivals (Matsuri) in Japan 2026
Japan's biggest summer matsuri — floats, drums and dancing — and how to plan your trip around them.
Gion Matsuri Kyoto 2026: Complete Guide
Kyoto's thousand-year festival — the giant float parades, key July dates, and how to see it well.
Sumida River Fireworks 2026: Guide & Where to Watch
Tokyo's most famous summer fireworks — when it is, where to watch, and how to avoid the crush.
Japan Cherry Blossom 2026: The Complete Guide
One guide to plan your entire 2026 sakura trip — timing, cities, costs, etiquette and booking.
First Time in Japan: Complete Trip Planning Guide (2026)
Everything a first-timer needs to plan a Japan trip in 2026 — timing, routes, budget and transport.
When to Visit Japan: Month-by-Month
Japan's seasonal events run almost year-round. Match your travel dates to one of these signature experiences.
| Month | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Late March – early April | Cherry blossoms (sakura) | Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka — bloom front moves north over 6 weeks |
| July | Gion Matsuri + Sumida Fireworks | Kyoto (all month) + Tokyo (last Saturday) |
| August | Nebuta, Awa Odori, Nagaoka Fireworks | Aomori, Tokushima, Niigata |
| Mid–late November | Autumn foliage (koyo) | Kyoto, Nikko, Arashiyama |
| December – January | Winter illuminations | Nabana no Sato, Tokyo, Kobe Luminarie |
| Early February | Sapporo Snow Festival | Sapporo (Odori, Susukino, Tsudome) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common Japan trip questions.