Summer in Japan: 3 Must-See Festivals You’ll Want to Experience (and Taste!)

 Japan in summer is a vibrant explosion of color, culture, and flavor—and nothing captures that better than its summer festivals. Known as matsuri (祭り), these traditional celebrations are held across the country and feature everything from lanterns and fireworks to mouthwatering street food and lively parades.

Whether you’re wandering through a lantern-lit shrine path or dancing with thousands of people in the streets, Japan’s summer festivals offer unforgettable experiences—and plenty of snacks!

Here are three of Japan’s most iconic and exciting summer festivals, including where to go, when to visit, and what makes each one so special.

🏮 1. Gion Matsuri – Kyoto’s Grand Festival of Tradition and Style

• 📍 Location: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
• 📅 Dates: Entire month of July (Main events: July 17 & July 24)

Gion Matsuri is one of the oldest and most famous festivals in Japan, and it transforms Kyoto into a month-long celebration of traditional Japanese culture. Originating in 869 AD as a religious purification ritual, it has grown into a spectacular city-wide event full of elegance, pageantry, and community spirit.

🎎 Highlights:

• Yamaboko Junko Parade: On July 17 and 24, massive wooden floats (yamaboko)—some over 25 meters tall—are pulled through the streets by dozens of people in traditional clothing.
• Yoiyama Nights: In the nights leading up to the parades (July 14–16 & 21–23), the streets of downtown Kyoto are lined with lanterns, food stalls, and families in yukata (summer kimono).
• Cultural Displays: You can explore historical neighborhoods and view centuries-old family heirlooms on public display.

🍢 Must-Try Festival Snacks:

Gion Matsuri is also a food lover’s paradise, featuring:

• Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers)
• Kakigori (shaved ice with syrup)
• Taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes with sweet fillings)
• Senbei (crispy rice crackers)

Why it’s special:
Gion Matsuri combines the elegance of ancient Japan with the energy of a modern city-wide celebration. It’s a refined, magical experience unlike any other.

🎇 2. Tenjin Matsuri – Osaka’s Fireworks-Powered River Spectacle

• 📍 Location: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
• 📅 Dates: July 24–25

If you like your festivals loud, lively, and packed with energy, Tenjin Matsuri is for you! Known as one of the “Top Three Festivals of Japan,” this two-day event honors Sugawara no Michizane, the patron deity of scholarship, at Osaka’s Tenmangu Shrine.

🚤 Highlights:

• Land and River Processions: On July 25, over 3,000 people dressed as samurai, nobles, and shrine priests parade through Osaka, ending with a flotilla of elaborately decorated boats on the Okawa River.
• Massive Fireworks Show: The river procession culminates in a stunning fireworks display of more than 5,000 shells lighting up the night sky.
• Night Festival Atmosphere: The riverbanks are lined with food stalls and beer vendors, giving it a lively, open-air party vibe.

🍡 Must-Try Festival Snacks:

Tenjin Matsuri is a feast for your senses (and your stomach):

• Takoyaki (octopus-filled dough balls) – Osaka’s specialty!
• Corn on the cob brushed with soy sauce
• Grilled squid skewers
• Ramune soda in glass bottles

Why it’s special:
It’s a perfect blend of Osaka’s fun-loving spirit, history, and one of Japan’s most impressive fireworks shows—all on the water!

🎆 3. Nebuta Matsuri – Aomori’s Glowing Parade of Giants

• 📍 Location: Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
• 📅 Dates: August 2–7

Way up in the Tohoku region of northern Japan, Nebuta Matsuri brings the night to life with giant illuminated floats, pounding taiko drums, and dancers called haneto who invite the crowd to join in.

🌟 Highlights:

• Massive Lantern Floats: These massive, paper-covered lanterns depict warriors, gods, and mythical creatures—many reaching 9 meters tall and 5 meters wide.
• Haneto Dancers: Dressed in colorful costumes, the dancers leap and chant “Rassera! Rassera!” as they lead the floats through the streets.
• Audience Participation: Tourists can rent a haneto costume and join the fun!

🍭 Must-Try Festival Snacks:

Northern Japan has its own regional treats you’ll love:

• Apple cider and apple-flavored candies (Aomori is famous for apples!)
• Chocolate-covered bananas on a stick
• Dango (sweet rice dumplings on skewers)
• Local street ramen for a late-night treat

Why it’s special:
It’s visually stunning—like a night parade of glowing monsters—and it’s one of the most interactive matsuri experiences in all of Japan.

🎉 Can’t Get to Japan This Summer? Bring the Festival Home with Freedom Japanese Market!

While nothing beats dancing in the streets of Kyoto or watching fireworks in Osaka, you don’t have to travel to Japan to taste the magic of its summer festivals.

At Freedom Japanese Market, we deliver authentic Japanese snacks and candy subscription boxes straight from Japan to your door. Each month, we include a curated mix of:

• Seasonal and regional treats you’d find at real Japanese festivals
• Sweet and savory classics like Pocky, senbei, mochi, and more
• Limited-edition snacks you won’t find anywhere outside Japan

Plus, our boxes include an English guide, cultural info, and fun extras to make your snack adventure complete—whether you’re sharing with friends or having your own matsuri at home.

🎁 Ready to try a taste of summer in Japan?
👉 Subscribe now at Freedom Japanese Market and get your own box of Japanese joy delivered every month.

From fireworks to floats to fresh festival snacks, Japanese summer is an experience worth celebrating—and now, you can do it from home. 🎇🇯🇵🍬