Japan’s 3 Biggest Festivals in July

Naho_B_M
Update: Dec 22, 2021

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Are you ready for Japanese summer festivals?? The festival season starts from July through August!! There will be loads of events through the country almost everyday, and they are the best attractions in Japan during summer! Here are 3 biggest festivals in Japan, which you don’t wanna miss in July!

– Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival, Kanagawa

Date: early July

Tanabata Festival is a traditional annual event in Japan, which celebrates the meeting of two lovers separated by milky way on 7th July. Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival (湘南ひらつか七夕まつり) is one of the biggest Tanabata festivals in Japan.

The festival attracts over 3 million visitors every year. During the festival, the street is decorated with loads of colourful, gigantic streams and hundreds of stalls, selling traditional festival snacks and drinks. Hiratsuka City is in Kanagawa Prefecture and can be accessed within 1 hour from Tokyo.

Map: https://goo.gl/5o8INX

Official website: http://www.tanabata-hiratsuka.com/

-Kyoto Gion Festival, Kyoto

Date: July

Kyoto Gion Festival (祇園祭) is counted as one of three greatest festivals in Japan. This traditional festival has been held for over 1,000 years in Yasaka Shrine, the famous shrine in Gion area, Yamahoko town.

The actual duration of the festival is whole month in July, yet the main ceremonies s are held on 17th (Sakimatsuri) and 24th (Atomatsuri) July with the grand procession of floats. The floats are specially made for the festival with finest craft work and carried through Yamahoko town by locals in traditional costumes.

Exclusive tickets are available for viewing the main parade of the festival from the best seated area! Click HERE to book in English!

Map: https://goo.gl/v1KwOr

-Tenjin Festival, Osaka

Date: 24, 25 July

Along with Gion Festival and Kanda Festival (Tokyo), Tenjin Festival (天神祭) is counted as one of Japan’s three greatest festivals. It’s held at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in a heart of Osaka City.

The festival takes 2 days (24th and 25th July) every year, with a large procession through the city, musical performance and dance. The main event of the festival is held on the second day (25th) with procession with boats on the river and massive fireworks for grand finale.

Map: https://goo.gl/uMDO6m

Website: https://www.tenjinmatsuri.com/