Top 10 Festivals to Experience in Japan During September 2024

Top 10 Festivals to Experience in Japan During September 2024

Exploring Japan in September is an exhilarating experience, as the country bursts into life with a myriad of exciting festivals. Let's dive into some of the most mesmerizing Japanese festivals you shouldn't miss in September 2024!

• 1. Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri (Osaka)

If Osaka is on your itinerary this September, don't hesitate to visit one of Osaka's most iconic festivals – the Danjiri Matsuri. The term "Danjiri" refers to the traditional colossal floats used at festivals across the Kansai region. This festival has roots dating back more than 300 years to the Edo Period and attracts over 400,000 people every year. These magnificent wooden floats, crafted from Japanese cypress, feature elaborate carvings depicting characters from Japanese mythology alongside mystical creatures like dragons. During the festival, Danjiri floats are pulled through the narrow streets of the city by energetic participants, maintaining their swift pace even when navigating tricky corners. The ensuing spectacle is both thrilling and unpredictable, with occasional accidents adding to the overall experience!

Festival Dates 2024: September 14th (Saturday) – 15th (Sunday)

How to get there: A 45-minute train ride from JR Osaka Station to Kishiwada Station

• 2. Niigata Soh-Odori (Niigata)

Niigata Soh-Odori, Niigata's largest dance festival, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021. The event takes place every year in mid-September and welcomes around 13,000 dancers from approximately 200 groups. After being scaled back in 2020 due to COVID-19, the festival returned in 2022, promising a three-day extravaganza both online and on-site. The main virtue of this festival is the diverse selection of music and dance, with each group presenting a unique mix of traditional folk dances and contemporary performances. The core tenet of the festival is to accept any dancer who honestly embraces and shares their passion for dance with others, fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all.

Festival Dates 2024: September 14th (Saturday) – 16th (Monday)

How to get there: A short walk from JR Niigata Station

• 3. Sapporo Autumn Fest (Hokkaido)

How could one resist the allure of Hokkaido’s culinary delights and intoxicating drinks? Your search ends at the Sapporo Autumn Fest! Originating in 2008, this festival takes place at the same location as the Sapporo Snow Festival, the Odori Park. The event offers a tantalizing array of local specialties and beverages, featuring 8 themed zones showcasing everything from fresh seafood to mouthwatering ramen and delectable wine. This is the ideal place to savor the unique tastes of Hokkaido while soaking up the pleasant autumn weather!

Festival Dates 2024: September 6th (Friday) – September 29th (Sunday)

How to get there: A 5-minute walk from Odori Station, Sapporo Municipal Subway

• 4. Kaze no Bon (Toyama)

Hailing from the Toyama prefecture, Kaze no Bon is a traditional dance festival with deep roots, tracing its history back over 300 years. This event takes place in a picturesque town filled with traditional Japanese homes, making it the perfect setting for graceful dancers to glide through the narrow, cobblestone streets. Their harmonious dance performances blend seamlessly with Toyama's traditional folk songs, played on traditional Japanese instruments such as Shamisen, Kokyu, and Taiko drums.

Festival Dates 2024: August 31st (Saturday) – September 2nd (Monday)

How to get there: A 30-minute train ride from JR Toyama Station to Etchu-Yatsuo Station

• 5. Aizu Festival (Fukushima)

The Aizu Festival is the biggest event in Aizu city, Fukushima prefecture, held annually for three days at the end of September. The festivities kick off with a parade of local children adorned with lanterns. At night, on the first and second days, the main street transforms into an impromptu venue for an Aizu Bandai-san Odori bon dance event – a captivating spectacle featuring traditional Japanese music and vibrant costumes. The climax of the festival arrives on the third day, when an awe-inspiring Samurai parade showcases exciting dance performances and sword fight demonstrations by participants donned in traditional Samurai attire.

Festival Dates 2024: Late September (Dates to be announced)

How to get there: A 20-minute bus ride from JR Aizu Wakamatsu Station to Tsuruga Castle

• 6. Senami Taisai Festival (Niigata)

The Senami Taisai Festival takes place in the town of Murakami, Niigata prefecture, celebrating Senami Shrine. The origins of this festival date back to several centuries. In the morning of the first day, the shrine's spirit is transferred to a portable shrine, launching a procession that winds through the town. Festivities continue late into the evening with lively festival music and dancing led by local residents. This event symbolizes the rich fishing tradition of the area and allows the citizens to express their passion and vitality for their town.

Festival Dates 2024: September 3rd (Sunday) – 4th (Monday)

How to get there: A short walk from Murakami Station

• 7. Kakunodate Festival (Akita)

Situated in the small town of Kakunodate, Akita prefecture, this festival offers roots stretching back hundreds of years. The event offers a historical call for prosperity, a bountiful harvest, and good health. Wooden carts adorned with samurai and kabuki dolls line the streets, providing a scenic backdrop for various performances involving music, dance, and Buddhist rituals.

Festival Dates 2024: September 7th (Thursday) – 9th (Saturday)

How to get there: A brief walk from JR Kakunodate Station

• 8. Akasaka Hikawa Shrine Festival (Tokyo)

In mid-September, throngs of people flock to Akasaka Hikawa Shrine in Tokyo to participate in the annual festival, which can be traced as far back as the Edo Period. Over the course of three days, you can immerse yourself in a wide array of activities and experiences. The main highlight of the festival is the procession of resplendent Dashi floats and portable shrines that traverse Tokyo's bustling streets. The largest floats tower at around 8 meters, with symbolic Japanese dolls atop. The typical festival fare – food and drink – is available for purchase at street-side kiosks, transporting you to another world amidst the pulse of the city.

Festival Dates 2024: Mid-September (Dates to be announced)

How to get there: Approximately an 8-minute walk from Akasaka Station, Tokyo

• 9. Koriyama Autumn Festival (Fukushima)

The Koriyama Autumn Festival unfolds every year in Koriyama city, Fukushima prefecture, boasting easy access from Tokyo via the Shinkansen. The event Finds its home at Asaka Kunitsuko Shrine, a historical sanctuary that has hosted the festival since the early Meiji Period over 150 years ago. The festival serves as a heartfelt tribute to the area’s ancestors and a plea for a prosperous and plentiful harvest for the year. On the second day of the festival, approximately 20 Dashi floats are transported around JR Koriyama Station by local volunteers and children alike. The music playing during the background harks back to traditional Japanese music called Ohayashi, often heard at Shinto shrine festivals. The most electrifying aspect of the festival occurs on the final day, when a breathtaking portable shrine parade takes center stage, capping off the incredible experience.

Festival Dates 2024: September 27th (Friday) – 29th (Sunday)

How to get there: A 8-minute walk from JR Koriyama Station to Asaka Kunitsuko Shrine

• 10. Shinagawa Shukuba Matsuri (Tokyo)

The Shinagawa Shukuba Matsuri is an essential celebration that honors the rich history of the Shinagawa area in Tokyo. During the Edo Period, Shinagawa served as the inaugural Shukuba – post towns – along the Tokaido Road, connecting Edo (now Tokyo) with Kyoto. The festival originally began in 1990 with the objective to preserve and continue the area's traditional and cultural assets for future generations. Seiseki Park serves as the festival's main venue, where visitors can revel in a variety of live music, dance, and puppet theater performances. The point of highest interest for many festival-goers is the stunning procession of Oiran courtesans which typically takes place in the evening of the first day. Numerous folks also participate in the procession of volunteers, beautifully dressed in Edo-period attire, as they march through the streets. This year, the festival is set to take place for one day, albeit on a more intimate scale, making it well worth a visit.

Festival Dates 2024: September 28th (Saturday) – 29th (Sunday)

How to get there: From Kita-shinagawa Station, Keikyu Main Line, a 10-minute walk to Seiseki Park (the festival's main venue)

Enhance Your Experience: Embrace Kimono Culture!

These captivating experiences are further amplified when enjoyed in a Kimono! A traditional Japanese garment, donning a Kimono offers a unique and unforgettable facet of Japanese culture. Several top-tier rental companies, like Wargo, make it convenient for you to explore Japan in this traditional attire.

Tokyo

• Asakusa
• Ginza

Kyoto

• Kyoto Station
• Gion

Osaka

• Shinsaibashi

Let yourself be swept away by the vibrant spirit of Japan as you attend these unforgettable festivals. Best of luck on your journey to discover the enchanting customs and rich heritage of Japan!

Tour Information

our website offers a multitude of guided tours throughout Japan. From private walking tours to delicious Food and Drink tours, they can design the ideal tour tailored just for you. Should you desire to explore Japan and gain an understanding of the history and backstories of the various areas, their knowledgeable and amicable English speaking guides will gladly accompany you to the choicest spots! In addition, their team is prepared to assist you with any inquiries or requirements you may have for your upcoming adventure in Japan.

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Experience the most effective way to explore an area: take a tour with a knowledgeable local guide! Get the chance to learn about the history, secrets, and intriguing background stories of Tokyo, as well as discover hidden gems that might otherwise be overlooked.

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Happy travels!

1. The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri in Osaka is one festival visitors should attend in September, featuring colossal wooden floats crafted from Japanese cypress and elaborate carvings of characters from Japanese mythology.
2. The Niigata Soh-Odori festival, celebrated for three days every year in mid-September, showcases a diverse selection of music and dance by over 13,000 dancers from around 200 groups, including traditional folk dances and contemporary performances.
3. The Sapporo Autumn Fest is a must-visit event for foodies and drink lovers in Hokkaido, boasting a tantalizing array of local specialties and beverages, including mouthwatering ramen and delectable wine.
4. The Kaze no Bon festival in Toyama offers a glimpse into history with graceful dance performances and traditional folk songs played on instruments such as Shamisen and Taiko drums, taking place in a picturesque town filled with traditional Japanese homes.
5. Witness an exciting Samurai parade and sword fight demonstrations during the Aizu Festival in Fukushima, held annually for three days, combining traditional Japanese dance performances, lively music, and breathtaking costumes.
6. In the town of Murakami, Niigata, the Senami Taisai Festival celebrates the area's rich fishing tradition and welcomes locals to express their passion and vitality for their town.
7. The Kakunodate Festival in Akita offers visitors a historical experience with original wooden carts adorned with samurai and kabuki dolls, music, dance, and Buddhist rituals, symbolizing a call for prosperity, bountiful harvest, and good health.
8. The Akasaka Hikawa Shrine Festival in Tokyo offers a three-day event immersing participants in a wide array of activities, including the procession of Dashi floats and portable shrines, traditional Japanese music, and festival fare available for purchase.
9. Attendees of the Koriyama Autumn Festival in Fukushima can appreciate the area's rich history, as the festival has hosted Hundreds of Years at Asaka Kunitsuko Shrine, requesting prosperity and good health.
10. The Shinagawa Shukuba Matsuri in Tokyo honors the area's Edo Period roots, offering visitors live music, dance performances, and puppet theater, as well as the stunning evening procession of Oiran courtesans.

To amplify your experience, consider renting a Kimono from reputable companies such as Wargo in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka for an authentic immersion in traditional Japanese culture. Additionally, for those seeking guided tours, our website offers a variety of options for private walking tours, Food and Drink tours, and visits to Mt. Fuji, each featuring knowledgeable English-speaking guides.

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