FESTIVALS

Twice a year in Asakusa, a golden dragon appears at Sensoji Temple...

This winter festival in Aomori sees a few dozen men strip down to pray for good health and a good harvest!

The Nagasaki Lantern Festival gives the city an amazing ethereal atmosphere akin to Studio Ghibli's film "Spirited Away" for just a few nights every February.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is underway in Hokkaido, with more than 190 snow and ice sculptures on display around the city between February 4 to February 11.

This Tokyo extravaganza will include everything from actual beautiful manhole covers to goods like miniatures and doormats, as well as manhole cover snacks and treats!

Every April the countryside town of Tanto in Hyogo Prefecture holds the Tanto Tulip Festival, which displays over one MILLION tulips of some 300 varieties.

300 people gather in Fukuoka to take part in the 1,000-year-old Onisube ritual to ward away demons like illness and disaster.

Check out our guide to Hokkaido’s biggest and best snow and ice festivals—perfect for making the most of the cold weather!