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Tokyo Events
The Sumo Tournament in Tokyo is a major sporting event that showcases Japan's traditional wrestling. Held at the historic Ryogoku Kokugikan, this tournament attracts both locals and tourists eager to witness the powerful matches. Each day features multiple bouts where wrestlers, known as rikishi, compete in a circular ring. The atmosphere is electric, filled with cheers and the ceremonial rituals that precede each match. Attendees can also enjoy traditional Japanese food from nearby stalls, making it a complete cultural experience. The tournament is an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich traditions of sumo wrestling, which has been practiced for centuries.
The Hatsu Uma Festival at Meiji Shrine marks the first horse of the year and is celebrated with various traditional rituals aimed at ensuring a prosperous year ahead. Visitors can witness Shinto priests performing ceremonies that include horse parades and offerings to the deities. The event attracts many locals who come to pray for good fortune and health. The serene environment of the shrine, coupled with the festive atmosphere, provides a unique glimpse into Japanese spirituality and culture. Attendees can also enjoy various food stalls offering traditional snacks and drinks.
Kanda Myojin Shrine New Year Celebrations
Kanda Myojin Shrine, Tokyo
January 1 - 7, 2025
https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/
Kanda Myojin Shrine hosts vibrant New Year celebrations featuring various traditional activities such as shrine visits (hatsumode), where worshippers pray for blessings in the new year. The shrine is known for its beautiful architecture and historical significance, attracting thousands of visitors during this period. Special events include performances of traditional music and dance, along with food stalls offering popular Japanese street foods. This festival not only celebrates the new year but also highlights the cultural heritage of Japan through its rituals and community spirit.
Tokyo Daijingu New Year’s Festival
Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, Tokyo
January 1-3 , 2025
https://www.tokyodaijingu.or.jp/en/
Tokyo Daijingu Shrine holds its New Year’s Festival to welcome visitors seeking blessings for health and prosperity. The event features traditional Shinto rituals, including purification ceremonies and offerings. Attendees can participate in activities such as writing wishes on ema (wooden plaques) or purchasing omamori (amulets) for protection. The shrine's beautiful gardens provide a peaceful backdrop for reflection and celebration during this festive time. With a mix of spirituality and community engagement, this festival is an essential part of Tokyo's cultural landscape.
Kyoto Events
Kitano Tenmangu Flea Market
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto
January 25, 2025
https://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/en/
The Kitano Tenmangu Flea Market is held monthly at one of Kyoto's most significant shrines dedicated to the deity of learning. This vibrant market features numerous stalls selling antiques, crafts, and local delicacies. Visitors can browse through a wide array of items while enjoying the festive atmosphere filled with local vendors and shoppers. The market coincides with the shrine's New Year celebrations, making it particularly lively in January. It’s an excellent opportunity to experience local culture while hunting for unique souvenirs or enjoying delicious street food.
Gion Corner Traditional Arts Performance
Gion Corner, Kyoto
Ongoing throughout January 2025
http://www.gioncorner.com/
Gion Corner offers visitors a chance to experience traditional Japanese arts through live performances that include tea ceremonies, kyo-mai (Kyoto-style dance), koto music, and more. Held in a beautiful setting in Gion, this event showcases various aspects of Kyoto's rich cultural heritage. Each performance provides insight into Japan's artistic traditions while allowing guests to appreciate the beauty of these art forms firsthand. This ongoing event throughout January makes it accessible for those looking to immerse themselves in Kyoto's artistic scene.
Shinto New Year’s Rituals at Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kyoto
January 1 - 7, 2025
https://inari.jp/en/
Fushimi Inari Taisha is famous for its thousands of vermillion torii gates and hosts special New Year’s rituals during the first week of January. Visitors flock to this iconic shrine to participate in hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the year), where they pray for good fortune and health. The shrine offers various traditional activities such as fortune-telling (omikuji) and purchasing new omamori (amulets). The stunning backdrop of the torii gates adds to the spiritual ambiance of this festival, making it a must-see event for anyone visiting Kyoto during this time.
Kyoto Imperial Palace New Year Celebration
Kyoto Imperial Palace
January 1 - 3, 2025
https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/index.html
The Kyoto Imperial Palace opens its doors for special New Year celebrations where visitors can explore the beautiful gardens and historical architecture. During this time, guided tours are available that highlight the palace's significance in Japanese history as well as its architectural beauty. Various events may include traditional music performances and exhibitions showcasing imperial artifacts. This celebration allows attendees to connect with Japan’s imperial heritage while enjoying the serene beauty of the palace grounds.
Hokaido Events
Jozankei Onsen Yukitouro (Snow Candle Way)
Jozankei Onsen Village, Hokkaido
January 25 - February 1, 2025
https://www.jozankei.com/404.html
The Jozankei Onsen Yukitouro festival transforms this picturesque onsen village into a magical winter wonderland illuminated by over 1,000 snow candles. Visitors can stroll through the village under the soft glow of candlelight while enjoying hot springs along with local food stalls offering seasonal delicacies. This enchanting atmosphere invites guests to relax and unwind amidst stunning winter scenery while experiencing Hokkaido's unique winter culture. The festival emphasizes community spirit as locals come together to create this breathtaking display.
Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival
Sounkyo Onsen Resort Area, Hokkaido
Late January - Late March 2025
https://www.sounkyo.com/en/
The Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival showcases stunning ice sculptures and illuminated ice pillars set against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty. Visitors can explore ice tunnels and enjoy panoramic views from observation platforms while participating in various winter activities such as snowshoeing or sledding. Fireworks light up the night sky during special events throughout the festival period, creating an unforgettable experience for attendees. This festival celebrates Hokkaido's winter charm while providing fun activities for families and friends alike.
Fukuoka Events
Fukuoka Music Fest '25
Fukuoka City
January 2025 (Exact date TBA)
https://niewmedia.com/en/events/202501/
The FUKUOKA MUSIC FES.2025 is set to be a spectacular event kicking off the new year in Fukuoka. This star-studded music festival will feature multiple stages showcasing a diverse lineup of both Japanese and international artists. Music lovers can expect performances across various genres, including rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic music, highlighting Fukuoka's vibrant music scene. The festival aims to attract attendees from across Japan and beyond, cementing Fukuoka's position as a cultural hub. In addition to the musical performances, the event is likely to include food stalls offering local delicacies, merchandise booths for fans to purchase memorabilia, and interactive art installations to engage visitors. While exact dates and venue details are yet to be announced, the anticipation is already building for this major cultural event that promises to start 2025 on a high note in Fukuoka.
Fukuoka Christmas Market and Illuminations
Fukuoka City
Early January 2025
https://japancheapo.com/events/fukuoka-christmas-market-illuminations/
The Fukuoka Christmas Market and Illuminations is a enchanting festive event extending into early January 2025, bringing a touch of European holiday magic to the heart of Fukuoka. The centerpiece of this winter wonderland is a traditional European-style Christmas market, complete with charming wooden stalls offering a variety of seasonal foods, warming drinks, and handcrafted gifts. As night falls, the city is transformed by stunning illuminations, creating a magical winter atmosphere that captivates visitors of all ages. A towering Christmas tree, adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, serves as a focal point for the festivities. The event is further enhanced by live performances, including carol singing and instrumental music, adding to the joyful holiday spirit. This market and light display provide a perfect opportunity for both locals and tourists to experience the wonder and warmth of a European-style Christmas celebration in the heart of Fukuoka.
Toka Ebisu New Year's Grand Festival
Toka Ebisu Shrine, Fukuoka City
January 8th - 11th, 2025
https://gofukuoka.jp/calendar.html
​The Toka Ebisu New Year's Grand Festival, held from January 8th to 11th at Toka Ebisu Shrine, is one of Fukuoka's largest and most significant New Year celebrations. This vibrant event, dedicated to Ebisu, the god of prosperity in business and good fortune, attracts thousands of visitors seeking blessings for the coming year. The festival grounds come alive with various rituals and ceremonies, each designed to bring luck and success to participants. Visitors have the opportunity to purchase lucky charms and engage in traditional New Year customs, immersing themselves in Japanese cultural traditions. The air is filled with the enticing aromas of seasonal delicacies and local specialties from numerous food stalls, adding to the festive atmosphere. Throughout the event, the shrine grounds resonate with the rhythmic beats of drum performances and the graceful movements of traditional dances, creating a lively and memorable experience for all attendees.
Kyushu Events
Nagasaki Lantern Festival
Nagasaki City, primarily in Chinatown and surrounding areas
January 29 - February 12, 2025
https://www.discover-nagasaki.com/en/events_multilingual
​The Nagasaki Lantern Festival, scheduled from January 29th to February 12th, 2025, is a dazzling celebration that transforms Nagasaki City into a magical wonderland of lights. As one of Japan's largest lantern festivals, it marks the Chinese New Year with an awe-inspiring display of over 15,000 colorful lanterns illuminating Nagasaki's Chinatown and surrounding areas. The festival is a visual feast, featuring lanterns of various shapes and sizes that create a mesmerizing spectacle. Visitors can enjoy vibrant parades, energetic dragon dances, and other traditional Chinese performances that bring the streets to life. This event offers a unique blend of Japanese and Chinese cultures, reflecting Nagasaki's rich historical connections. The Lantern Festival has become a major winter tourism attraction, drawing visitors from all over Japan and abroad. It provides a warm and luminous respite from the winter chill, inviting everyone to experience the beauty and cultural significance of this spectacular event.
Nomozaki Daffodil Festival
Nomozaki Peninsula, Nagasaki Prefecture
Mid to Late January, 2025
https://www.discover-nagasaki.com/en/events_multilingual
The Nomozaki Daffodil Festival, taking place in mid to late January 2025, is a breathtaking natural spectacle on the Nomozaki Peninsula in Nagasaki Prefecture. This event celebrates the blooming of over 3 million daffodils, creating a stunning landscape of golden flowers against the backdrop of the East China Sea. Visitors can stroll through specially designed walking trails, immersing themselves in the vast fields of vibrant yellow blooms. The festival area comes alive with local food stalls offering seasonal specialties and vendors selling daffodil-themed souvenirs, allowing visitors to take a piece of the experience home with them. Often accompanied by cultural performances and activities that celebrate local traditions, the festival provides a rich, multifaceted experience. This unique winter flower festival offers not only a feast for the eyes but also a perfect opportunity for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts to capture the essence of winter's beauty in a picturesque coastal setting.
