Events in Japan — October 2026

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

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

Confirmed dates

2026 Sep 11 – Oct 3 Ended

Sapporo Autumn Fest
Sapporo City · Odori Park (West 4–8, 10 and 11 blocks)
2026 Oct 1–5 Ended

Kitano Matsuri Shinkosai and Kankosai (Zuiki Matsuri)
Kyoto City · Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, its Otabisho (temporary shrine) and the surrounding parish
2026 Oct 3 (Sat) Ended

Oni-Kojuro Festival
Shiroishi City · Shiroishi Castle main bailey (Masuoka Park) and surrounding area
2026 Oct 8–10

Marimo Festival (Lake Akan)
Kushiro City · Lake Akan and Akanko Onsen
2026 Oct 9 – Nov 8

Nanyo Chrysanthemum Festival
Nanyo City · Miyauchi venue (around Kumano Taisha Shrine) and Flower Park venue (Nanyo Central Flower Park)
2026 Oct 10–11

Odate Kiritanpo Festival
Odate City · Nipro Hachiko Dome
2026 Oct 10–11

Oshu Nambu Ironware Festival
Oshu City · Oshu Casting Technology Exchange Center and Oshu Traditional Industry Hall
2026 Oct 10–11

Sendai Michinoku YOSAKOI Festival
Sendai City · Kotodai Park, Nishikicho Park, Jozenji-dori Avenue and other sites across Sendai
2026 Oct 16–18

Kamaishi Matsuri
Kamaishi City · Central Kamaishi and Kamaishi Port
2026 Oct 17 (Sat)

Shinjo Taste of Autumn Festival
Shinjo City · Abies Plaza in front of Shinjo Station
2026 Oct 22 (Thu)

Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)
Kyoto City · Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu Shrine
2026 Oct 22 (Thu)

Kurama Fire Festival
Kyoto City · Yuki Shrine and the village of Kurama
2026 Oct 30 – Nov 8

Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival
Hirosaki City · Hirosaki Park (main venue: Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden)

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

Usually early October
Please check the official website for dates.

Osorezan Autumn Festival
Mutsu City · Osorezan Sacred Ground (Osorezan Bodaiji Temple)
Usually late October
Please check the official website for dates.

Kameoka Matsuri (Float Festival)
Kameoka City · The old castle town of Kameoka (autumn festival of Kuwayama Shrine)

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