SUMMER FESTIVALS

While Japan's Bon Odori dances may be symbolic of the summer, if you want to really learn the dance, you'd better start in winter!

The most popular festival in Hokuriku, the beautiful Owara Kaze-no-Bon festival has been held for 300 years to appease the typhoon winds and ask for bountiful crops.

Tokyo may be the heart of Japan, but to see amazing fireworks this summer, you'll need to venture out of the capital.

The first-ever Bon Odori dance festival is coming to Shibuya Crossing! The famous intersection will be closed to traffic to allow everyone to participate in this traditional summer dance festival on August 5.

Summer is always an eventful time in Tokyo. During July and August, there are countless summer firework festivals to see!

As much as you might see about summer fireworks, there are also a number of other fantastic festivals happening in different corners of Tokyo that are very much worth heading out for!

On July 7, head over to Tokyo Tower for a dazzling Milky Way Illumination. And be sure to come in a summer kimono to get a discount!

Join our intrepid writer Nick on a journey to the inaugural Kizuna Festival in Sendai to celebrate the community, cooperation and cultural diversity of the Tohoku region.