12You won’t want to miss something truly special when visiting Japan during summer: experiencing the many matsuri (festivals) held across the country. Matsuri is a traditional Japanese festival, usually held at shrines or in local towns, featuring religious rituals, parades, dances, music, and folk entertainment. Especially if you’re a fan of anime or dorama, chances are you've imagined and maybe even dreamed of experiencing a Japanese matsuri firsthand.
Don't worry, if you’re planning a trip to Japan this summer, you’ll definitely have the chance to join some matsuri while you're there. To make the most of your holiday, it’s best to check the schedule of summer matsuri happening in 2025.
The main highlight of this matsuri is a colorful parade of giant lantern floats accompanied by dancers and music. This event is even recognized as one of Japan’s seven most important cultural heritages. This matsuri is held annually and in 2025, it will take place from August 2–7 in Aomori City.
Playing with snow in summer, why not? You can head to the Summer Sky Snow Matsuri, held at the Hakkaisan Ropeway in early August. This festival uses snow stored from the winter season, which is preserved especially for the matsuri. There is no entrance fee, but you’ll have pay for the ropeway ride to reach the mountaintop location. Tickets cost around ¥2,600 for adults and ¥1,500 for children.
Tsuwano’s Obon Dance is a traditional obon dance held at Shimane Castle in Tsuwano City. This matsuri has been celebrated for around 400 years and takes place annually on August 15. All the dancers wear special costumes and the performance can feature up to 400 dancers at once.
Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, also known as “Mizu-Kake Matsuri,” is known for its tradition of splashing water onto a shrine. However, instead of splashing water on a shrine building, people throw water on a mikoshi, a portable shrine carried through the streets. During this matsuri, the mikoshi is carried by a group of people, while shop owners and spectators splash water on the mikoshi as it passes by. The fun doesn't stop there, because along the festival route, you’ll find tons of delicious street food to enjoy. This matsuri is held in mid-August at Tomioka Hachiman-gū Shrine in Tokyo.
Besides the festivals mentioned above, there is plenty more matsuri you can check out. Before you go though, let's check out some tips to help you enjoy them without a hitch!
Before attending a matsuri, it’s important to know what kind of event it is. Some matsuri are parades, some are performances, and others are religious rituals. Understanding the types will help you prepare accordingly.
Every matsuri has its own rules, including what you can and can't do. So, make sure you understand the rules of the matsuri you're planning to attend.
Different types of matsuri call for different kinds of attire. For example, if the matsuri takes place at a shrine, make sure to wear something modest and appropriate, because after all, a shrine is a place of worship. Meanwhile, for matsuri that involve water, it's best to avoid wearing white clothing just to be safe!
No matter what kind of matsuri you attend, arriving early is always a good idea. The idea is to ensure you don't miss any action. If possible, you can even stay overnight near the festival area.
Now that you know about the upcoming matsuri this summer in Japan and how to enjoy them, it’s time to start preparing for the rest of your trip! One essential for your trip is International Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia, which protects you from the moment you leave home to the time you return.
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