Events in Japan — July 2026

Festivals and events taking place in July 2026, or usually held around this time of year.

Dates can change. Check the official website before you go.

Confirmed dates

2026 Jun 10 – Jul 5 Ended

Nagai Iris Festival
Nagai City · Nagai Ayame (Iris) Park
2026 Jul 1–31 Ended

Gion Matsuri
Kyoto City · Yasaka Shrine and the float districts of central Kyoto
2026 Jul 4–5 Ended

Kahoku Benibana (Safflower) Festival
Kahoku Town · Kahoku Safflower Museum (Benibana Shiryokan)
2026 Jul 7 (Tue) Ended

Kifune Water Festival (Tanabata Rite)
Kyoto City · Kifune Shrine
2026 Jul 18–30 Ended

Mitarashi Festival (Foot-Dipping Ritual) at Shimogamo Shrine
Kyoto City · Mitarashi Pond, Shimogamo Shrine
2026 Jul 19–20 Ended

Shiogama Minato Matsuri (Shiogama Port Festival)
Shiogama City · Shiwahiko and Shiogama Shrines, Shiogama Port and Matsushima Bay
2026 Jul 20–21 Ended

Tsuchizaki Port Hikiyama Festival
Akita City · Hon-machi Street, Chuo Street and around Tsuchizaki Shinmeisha Shrine, Tsuchizaki Port
2026 Jul 20–24 Ended

Osorezan Grand Festival
Mutsu City · Mt. Osore sacred site (Osorezan Bodaiji Temple)
2026 Jul 24–26 Ended

Otaru Ushio Festival
Otaru City · Otaru Port Pier No. 3 and central Otaru
2026 Jul 25 (Sat) Ended

Ayabe Minazuki Festival
Ayabe City · Banks of the Yura River (around Ayabe Bridge)
2026 Jul 25–26 Ended

Kurikoma Dashi Matsuri (Kurikoma Float Festival)
Kurihara City · Baba-dori Street, Iwagasaki, Kurikoma
2026 Jul 25–26 Ended

Nuruyu Onsen Ushiyu Festival
Kuroishi City · Tsuru-no-yu public bathhouse, Nuruyu Onsen
2026 Jul 25 (Sat) Ended

Shizugawa Bay Summer Festival
Minamisanriku Town · In front of the Shizugawa temporary fish market
2026 Jul 25 (Sat) Ended

Sakagai Jizo Festival
Morioka City · Eisho-in Temple, Zaimokucho, Morioka
2026 Jul 26 (Sun) Ended

Minato Maizuru Chatta Fireworks Festival
Maizuru City · East Maizuru waterfront (Hama Ryokuchi park)
2026 Jul 28–29 Ended

Hokkai Heso Matsuri (Belly Button Festival)
Furano City · Festival plaza on Shin-Aioi-dori, the shopping street in front of JR Furano Station
2026 Jul 31 – Aug 4 Ended

Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Festival
Hachinohe City · Central Hachinohe
2026 Jul 31 – Aug 2 Ended

Ishinomaki Kawabiraki Festival (River Opening Festival)
Ishinomaki City · Central Ishinomaki and the banks of the Kitakami River
2026 Jul 31 – Aug 1 Ended

Sanriku Ofunato Summer Festival
Ofunato City · Chayamae Quay area, Ofunato Port

Usually held around this time (check the official website for dates)

Usually early July
Please check the official website for dates.

Toko Yasaka Shrine Festival (Ushinori Bull Ride and Kumomai Dance)
Katagami City · Toko Yasaka Shrine and the Tenno shore of the Funakoshi Channel
Usually mid July
Please check the official website for dates.

Dewa Sanzan Shrine Grand Festival (Hana Matsuri)
Tsuruoka City · Summit of Mt. Haguro (Dewa Sanzan Shrine)
Usually mid July
Please check the official website for dates.

Hiraizumi Mizukake Mikoshi (Water-Splashing Portable Shrine Parade)
Hiraizumi Town · Central Hiraizumi, from the Kanjizaio-in Temple ruins via Motsuji Temple and Hiraizumi Station to Chusonji Temple
Usually mid July
Please check the official website for dates.

Tsuzureko Shrine Grand Festival (Tsuzureko Giant Drums)
Kitaakita City · Tsuzureko Shrine
Usually mid July
Please check the official website for dates.

Oma Fishing Festival and Tenpi-sama Procession
Oma Town · Oma Port (fishing festival) and Inari Shrine (procession)

On the day, see what locals are murmuring on the murmur map

murmur is an app that shows short, anonymous posts on a map, right where they were written. On festival day, open the map around the venue and see what people nearby are saying.

Download on the App Store Android (Google Play): coming soon