In summer, Japan becomes one of the best summer destinations in the world, highlighting its mind-blowing traditional festivals and events, fun outdoor activities, and beautiful flower fields and gardens.
Summer is a great time to take a stroll in the streets, wearing summer yukata, viewing fireworks (hanabi), dancing in the parade, and tasting delicious local food. In general, Japan’s official period of summer season begins in early June and ends in late August with three to four week of rainy season.
Except the rainy days, the country offers you a lovely sunny weather to experience the popular summertime festivals, and sightseeing attractions including the beautiful beaches.
With stunning displays of hydrangeas, June (rainy season) attracts many visitors. This guide shares the most popular hydrangea spots in Japan.
Most of the sightseeing spots throughout Japan are not crowded as they are like in the spring and autumn. Knowing this simple, yet very important Japan’s summer travel tip, you can make good use of it by visiting the country around this time of the year.
You can celebrate the exciting summer festivals and events in Japan along with the locals. People wear their traditional attires, such as Yukata before they go out to experience summer fireworks at night. That’s a Japanese tradition!
On the other hand, many people think of visiting Hokkaido’s incredible flower fields and gardens. In fact, that’s where they can explore variety of flowers especially lavender, sunflowers, poppy, lupines, and marigolds.
Are you well inspired to embark on a trip to Japan this summer? Then get ready to celebrate the best and most popular super fun summer festivals and events like Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Sumida River Fireworks Festival, Gion Festival in Kyoto, and Akita Kanto Festival.
Here is a list of must-attend 2025 Japan’s summer festivals with opening and closing dates.
| Event & Festival | Place | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hakata Dontaku Festival | Fukuoka | May 3-4 every year during the Golden Week |
| Kanda Matsuri | Kanda Shrine, Tokyo | Mid-May 2025 |
| Suigo Itako Ayame Festival | Suigo Itako Ayame Garden, Ibaraki | Late-May to Late-June |
| Ajisai (Hydrangea) Festival in Shimoda Park | Shimoda Park, Shizuoka | Early June, 2025 |
| YOSAKOI Soran Festival | Odori Park, Sapporo in Hokkaido | Early June, 2025 |
| Katsushika Shobu Matsuri (Iris Festival) | Mizumoto Park, Tokyo | Late May - Mid June, 2025 |
| Bunkyo Ajisai Matsuri (Hydrangea Festival) | Hakusan Jinja Shrine, Tokyo | Mid June, 2025 |
| Sanno Matsuri | Hie Shrine, Tokyo | June 7-17, 2026 |
| Hokkaido Shrine Festival | Hokkaido Shirine, Sapporo, Hokkaido | June 14-16 every year |
| Hakata Gion Yamakasa | Hakata district, Fukuoka | July 1-15, 2025 |
| Sumo Nagoya Basho | Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya | Early - Late July, 2025 |
| Mount Fuji Climbing Season | Mount Fuji | Early July to Mid September, 2025 |
| Mitama Matsuri (Obon festival) | Yasukuni Shrine, Tokyo | July 13-16, 2025 |
| Nakafurano Lavender Festival | Miyamachi, Nakafurano, Hokkaido | Mid July, 2025 |
| Hokuryu Sunflower Festival | Hokuryu, Hokkaido | July-August, 2025 |
| Gion Matsuri | Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto | July 1-31, 20245 |
| Sapporo Summer Festival | Sapporo city, Hokkaido | Mid July - Mid August, 2025 |
| Koganei Awaodori | Koganei city, Tokyo | Mid-August, 2025 |
| Tenjin Matsuri | Tenmangu Shrine, Osaka | July 24-25, 2025 |
| Akeno Sunflower Festival | Hokuto, Yamanashi | Late July to Late August, 2025 |
| Furano Bellybutton Festival/Hokkai Heso Matsuri | Furano, Hokkaido | Late July, 2025 |
| Fuji Rock Festival | Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata | July 25-27, 2025 |
| Sumida River Fireworks | Sumida River, Tokyo | July 26, 2025 |
| Soma-Nomaoi Festival | Minamisoma, Fukushima | July 22-24, 2025 |
| Shinjuku Eisa Festival | Shinjuku, Tokyo | Late July, 2025 |
| Morioka Sansa Odori Festival | Morioka, Iwate | August 1-4, 2025 |
| Nagaoka Fireworks | Shinano River, Niigata | August 2-3, 2025 |
| Aomori Nebuta Matsuri | Aomori City, Tohoku | August 2-7, 2025 |
| Akita Kanto Matsuri | Akita City | August 3-6, 2025 |
| World Music And Dance Festival | Hakodate, Hokkaido | Early August, 2025 |
| Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony | Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima | August 6, 2025 |
| Sendai Tanabata Matsuri | Sendai, Miyagi | August 6-8, 2025 |
| Kochi Yosakoi Festival | Kochi | Mid-August 2025 |
| Awa Odori | Tokushima | Mid-August, 2025 |
| Sanuki Takamatsu Festival | Takamatsu | August 12-14, 2025 |
| Fukagawa Hachiman Festival | Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, Tokyo | Mid-August |
| Miyajima Fireworks | Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima Island | Late August |
| Summer Sonic (Tokyo & Osaka) | Tokyo and Osaka | August 17-18, 2025 |
| Omagari National Fireworks Competition | Marukogawa River, Akita | Late August, 2025 |
| Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori | Koenji, Tokyo | Late August, 2025 |
| Asagaya Tanabata Festival | Asagaya Pearl Center, Tokyo | Early August, 2025 |
| Asakusa Samba Carnival | Asakusa, Tokyo | Mid-September, 2025 |
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This pocket wifi makes your Japan trip a lot easier. Click here to order your pocket wifi.
Do you know how to speak Japanese? Often basic Japanese phrases do not help you interact with locals. That’s why you need to have a Pocketalk (Multilingual Interactive Communication Device). It’s time to overcome your language barriers!
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