Nov152026
Takachiho Yokagura Night Kagura Season
All-night sacred kagura dances performed in Takachiho's villages from mid-November to early February.
16 events
Religious in Japan.
Every religious event on the calendar, checked against official sources.
Nov182026
Izumo Taisha Kamiari-sai (gathering of the gods)
The week in which Japan's eight million kami are said to gather at Izumo Taisha; begins with a torch-lit welcoming rite on Inasa Beach and includes en-musubi (matchmaking) rites.
Dec312026
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine Chinkasai
New Year's Eve fire-prevention rite at Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, with around 1,000 pine torches carried to Mikasahama Beach.
Feb62027
Oto Matsuri Fire Festival
A 1,400-year-old fire festival in which white-clad men race down Kamikura Shrine's 538 stone steps carrying burning torches.
Feb202027
Saidaiji Eyo (Okayama Naked Festival)
One of Japan's three great naked festivals: around 10,000 men in loincloths scramble for two sacred shingi sticks thrown into the crowd at 22:00 on a February night at Saidaiji temple.
Mar12027
Todai-ji Omizutori (Shunie)
Two weeks of repentance rites at Todai-ji's Nigatsu-do, famous for giant torches swung from the hall's balcony each night.
Mar12027
Todaiji Shuni-e (Omizutori / Otaimatsu torch ceremonies)
The 1,270-year-old Shuni-e penance rite whose nightly otaimatsu, giant pine torches swung from the Nigatsudo balcony, shower sparks over the crowd.
Apr42027
Zenkoji Gokaicho 2027 (once-in-seven-years unveiling)
The once-every-seven-years public display of Zenkoji's Maedachi Honzon, with a tall pillar linked by cord to the image so pilgrims can touch it. The 2022 edition drew 6.36 million visitors.
May172027
Nikko Toshogu Spring Grand Festival (1,000 Samurai Procession)
Re-enactment of the 1617 transfer of Tokugawa Ieyasu's remains: 1,200 men in samurai armour escort three mikoshi down the cedar-lined avenue, preceded the day before by yabusame horseback archery.
Jun142027
Hokkaido Shrine Festival (Sapporo Matsuri)
Sapporo's oldest festival, with a 1,000-person procession of portable shrines and Edo-style floats on the final day and hundreds of food stalls in Nakajima Park.
Jul142027
Nachi Fire Festival (Nachi no Ogi Matsuri)
One of Japan's three great fire festivals: twelve 50kg torches purify the path of fan-shaped portable shrines to Nachi Falls.
Jul202027
Itsukushima Kangen-sai
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine's largest annual rite, a night boat procession with kangen court music on the 17th day of the 6th lunar month.
Aug62027
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony
The annual 6 August ceremony marking the atomic bombing, with a minute's silence at 08:15, the Peace Declaration and the Peace Bell; attended by the UN Secretary-General and national leaders.
Aug162027
Gozan no Okuribi
Five giant bonfires in the shape of characters and symbols are lit on the mountains around Kyoto on the night of 16 August.
Aug282027
Usuki Stone Buddha Fire Festival
Torchlight festival at the National Treasure Usuki Stone Buddhas, held on the last Saturday of August.
Oct162027
Nikko Toshogu Autumn Festival (Shuki Taisai)
Autumn grand festival at Nikko Toshogu Shrine with yabusame horseback archery and a procession of about 1,200 participants.