Carry the mikoshi, race with speed, and dance for blessings! Japan’s 2025 summer festivals will ignite your passion.

Summer in Japan, how can you not participate in a festival? Besides the heat, it's also very lively! You might think of fireworks displays and yukata strolls through night markets, but actually, the Summer Festivals are not just about these activities; they are also a part of Japan's social memory.

Most summer festivals originate from religious ceremonies, initially for warding off epidemics, welcoming gods, and sending gods away. They are also times when people pray for a good harvest and safety. Over the years, these festivals have evolved, retaining ancient customs while incorporating local characteristics and modern entertainment, becoming annual community events that even attract countless tourists to experience the "Summer Japan Flavor."

This time, we have selected three summer festival activities with different atmospheres, but all are very spectacular. These are not just performances but dialogues between people and between people and land. These culturally rich local summer festivals guarantee that you will not only take photos but also be infected by the现场氛围 and move along with it! Are you ready to heat up summer with the Japanese?

Hakata Gion Yamakasa | The men's festival that Fukuoka people race desperately every year!

This festival from Hakata, Fukuoka, is one of Kyushu's most representative summer events. It originates from legends related to epidemic prevention and blessing in the 13th century. Every July, the entire Fukuoka city is swept into a passionate festival atmosphere, with the main event being the "Oiyama" race—male participants dressed in traditional costumes, carrying a one-ton float through the streets, with speed, momentum, and shouts creating an exhilarating scene!

If you want to experience a truly participatory festival atmosphere, Hakata Gion Yamakasa is definitely a must-do activity in your summer itinerary.

Kakioka Festival (Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival) | Traditional Gion stories performed on local old streets

This festival is a major summer event in Ibaraki Prefecture, centered around the Gion faith, featuring traditional mikoshi processions, ritual performances, and worship activities, with a history of over 300 years. During the event, the local old streets are decorated with lanterns, stages are set up, and lively taiko drums, floats parade slowly through the town, turning the entire city into a festival theater.

The focus here is not on fireworks but on the pure local tradition and human warmth. If you want to step away from big cities and dive into local culture, Kakioka Festival offers a sincere cultural experience.

Tokushima Awa Odori | An unstoppable traditional dance festival!

Awa Odori is one of Japan's three major Bon dances, originating from Shikoku's Tokushima, and is one of the most iconic traditional dance festivals in summer. During the event, the entire city center of Tokushima is closed off and transformed into a giant dance stage. Thousands of dancers dressed in traditional costumes dance to the rhythms of flutes, drums, and shamisen. Spectators can also join the "Niwaka Rengo," improvising to join the dance, creating an incredibly lively atmosphere!

The spirit of this festival is: "Dumb dancers, dumb spectators, so why not dance together!" If you want to experience dancing with locals and heat up your Japanese summer, Awa Odori is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

Japan's summer is not only about the few festivals you know! July and August are the peak months for summer festivals, and what is introduced here are just a few less touristy but very charming activities. From the strength and speed of Yamakasa to the faith of old streets and the warmth of shopping streets, these summer-only festivals are the most direct and captivating ways to experience Japanese culture.

However, the world of summer festivals is far more than just these! There are many more unique festival activities waiting for you to discover. Remember to stay tuned for the next update and fill your summer itinerary!