Events in Japan — May 2027

Festivals and events taking place in May 2027, or usually held around this time of year.

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

Confirmed dates

2027 Apr 16 – May 5

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
Hirosaki City · Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle grounds)
2027 May 15–16

Sendai Aoba Matsuri
Sendai City · Nishi Park, Jozenji-dori Avenue, Higashi-Nibancho and around central Sendai

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

Usually early May
Please check the official website for dates.

Gannin Odori Dance of Hachirogata
Hachirogata Town · Hitoichi Shrine, Hachirogata Station square and the town streets
Usually early May
Please check the official website for dates.

Spring Fujiwara Festival
Hiraizumi Town · Around Hiraizumi (Motsuji to Chusonji and other sites)
Usually early May
Please check the official website for dates.

Kamo Kurabeuma (Horse Race Ritual) at Kamigamo Shrine
Kyoto City · Kamigamo Shrine (Kamowakeikazuchi Jinja)
Usually early May
Please check the official website for dates.

Esashi Jinku Festival
Oshu City · Odori Park and central Esashi, Oshu
Usually early May
Please check the official website for dates.

Yabusame Shinji (Horseback Archery) at Shimogamo Shrine
Kyoto City · Tadasu no Mori forest riding ground, Shimogamo Shrine
Usually early May
Please check the official website for dates.

Fukura Shrine Grand Festival of Mt. Chokai Omonoimi Shrine
Yuza Town · Around the Fukura Kuchinomiya Shrine of Mt. Chokai Omonoimi Shrine
Usually mid May
Please check the official website for dates.

Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival)
Kyoto City · Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines
Usually mid May
Please check the official website for dates.

Nanbu Peony Festival
Nanbu Town · Hase Peony Garden
Usually mid May
Please check the official website for dates.

Yokohama Rapeseed Blossom Festival
Yokohama Town · Festival grounds in the Mameda district, Yokohama Town
Usually mid May
Please check the official website for dates.

Hakodate Goryokaku Festival
Hakodate City · Goryokaku Park
Usually mid May
Please check the official website for dates.

Mifune Matsuri (Three Boats Festival)
Kyoto City · Oi River upstream of Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama
Usually late May
Please check the official website for dates.

Gokusui no En at Motsuji (Winding Stream Poetry Party)
Hiraizumi Town · Motsuji Temple
Usually late May
Please check the official website for dates.

Nagai Black Lion Festival
Nagai City · Nagai's main street and Shirotsutsuji Park plaza
Usually late May
Please check the official website for dates.

Sakata Matsuri
Sakata City · Nakamachi (Naka-dori Street) and central Sakata
Usually late May
Please check the official website for dates.

Sapporo Lilac Festival
Sapporo City · Odori Park (West 5–7 chome) and Kawashimo Park
Usually late May
Please check the official website for dates.

Tsuruoka Tenjin Festival (Bakemono Matsuri)
Tsuruoka City · Tsuruoka Tenmangu Shrine and central Tsuruoka

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