Shirasagi-no Mai (White Heron Dance)
A ceremonial parade that dates back to the Heian period in Kyoto. It was revived in 1968 to celebrate Tokyo’s 100th Anniversary.
Taken by Sarah Nishina
Kishibojin Oeshiki
Held at Homyoji Temple, which is located south of Ikebukuro Station. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of Nichiren, the founder of the Buddhist Nichiren sect. One of its highlights is the parade of ten-thousand lanterns called Manto (万灯), three to four meter high floats that are decorated with numerous white flowers made from washi (和紙), or Japanese paper.
Taken by Masayuki Miyazaki
Fukuro Matsuri (Ikebukuro Festival)
It was launched in 1968 by four shop associations in the Ikebukuro Station West Exit area. Today, the event has grown so large that the whole of Ikebukuro shares the festive mood.
Multicultural crowds carrying a mikoshi portable shrine in the festival. *Taken by Masayuki Miyazaki
Nakanobu Yosakoi Festival
Held in Nakanobu, Shinagawa-ku, on September 16, 2017. Yosakoi (よさこい) is a unique style of dance that originated in Kochi Prefecture. The style of dance is highly energetic, combining traditional Japanese dance movements with modern music.
Taken by Akira Tamachi
Tsukudo Shrine Festival
It continues until the day the annual festival of the shrine starts. The shrine is located in Kudan, Chiyoda-ku.
Taken by Chika Araki
Hatagaoka Hachiman Shrine Annual Festival
It’s held on September 9 & 10 at the shrine located in Shinagawa-ku.
Taken by Hiroshi Yamamoto
Koenji Awa-odori Festival
One of Tokyo’s largest summer street festivals with up to 12,000 dance team participants and over 1.2 million visitors over the two day event. It started in 1956 by urban migrants from Tokushima Prefecture. Awa Odori is originated in Tokushima.
2017
2015
Taken on August 30, 2015, by Tomoka Nakamura
Hibiya Park Marunouchi Ondo Bon-odori Dance Festival
Held in Hibiya Park in Chiyoda-ku the end of August.
2017
Taken by Masayuki Miyazaki
2016
Taken by Mekdachi Khalil
Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri
Held at Tomioka Hachiman-gu Shrine, Koto-ku. See this page for more about this festival.
2017
Taken by Mekdachi Khalil
2015
Taken by Yasuaki Shikuri
Nishikubo Hachiman Shirine Festival
Held in Toranomon, Minato-ku from August 9 until 11.
Asagaya Tanabata Festival
Held in Asagaya, Suginami-ku in every August. It is known for its assortment of hanging papier-mâché characters that adorn the arcade.
2017
Taken by Kaori Ochiai
2016
Taken by Hiroyuki Hayashi
2015
Taken by Mai Kaneko
Shinjuku Eisa Festival 2017
Held on July 29, 2017.
*Eisa: A form of folk dance originating from the Okinawa Islands. In origin, it is a Bon dance that is performed by young people of each community during the Bon festival to honor the spirits of their ancestors.
Taken by Akira Tamachi
Taken by Masayuki Miyazaki
Kasukabe Summer Festival
Held in Kasukabe, Saitama Pref, on July 15 & 16.
Taken by Masanori Tsuchibuchi
Torigoe Jinja Annual Festival
One of the exciting mikoshi (portable shrine) festivals in Tokyo. The mikoshi is 4 tons of weight which is the heaviest one in Tokyo. It was held on June 10 & 11.
Taken by Kei Kaburaki
Ofuna Matsuri
A festival held in Ofuna, Kamakura, Kanagawa Pref, on May 21, 2017.
Taken by Masayuki MIyazaki
Kanda Matsuri
One of the three great Shinto festivals of Tokyo. The festival started in the early 17th century as a celebration of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s decisive victory at the Battle of Sekigahara (October 21, 1600). It is only held in odd-numbered years.
Taken by Matt Chen Hao
Kurayami Matsuri (Darkness Festival)
Held at Okunitama Jinja Shrine, Fuchu, Tokyo, from April 30 until May 6, 2017.
Taken by Masayuki Miyazaki
Sawara Big Float Festival
Held in Katori, Chiba Pref, on April 29 & 30, 2017. The festival dates back about 300 years to the Edo period. It was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016.
Taken by Jun KikuChi
Narita Taiko Festival
The festival has been held in Narita, Chiba Pref, in the middle of every April since 1994.
Taken by Sarah Nishina
Shunbun Hono-sai
Held at Konno Hachimangu Shrine, Shibuya-ku. Literally; “Vernal Equinox Dedication Festival”.
Taken by Yoko Kikuchi
Hinamatsuri-no Harae
A ceremony in which anyone can participate to purify themselves from past sins and mistakes and make wishes for a safety and good health. It is held at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
Taken by Aki Soma
Mamemaki (Bean scattering)
A special ritual to cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come.
Taken at Ikegami Honmonji Temple (Ota-ku) by Candy Javier Sakai
Taken at Hatonomori Hachiman Jinja Shrine (Shibuya-ku) by Hiroshi Koyu Suzuki
Mamemaki at a temple *Filmed by Isao Tokuhashi
Hagoita Fair
Tens of venders gather at Sensoji Temple to sell a variety of colorful hagoita (wooden paddles).
Taken by Sachi Takao
Nihonbashi-Kyobashi Matsuri
The main part of this festival is the parade that takes place along Chuo Dori Avenue. The parade features regional festivals that take place throughout Japan.
Awa Odori from Tokushima Pref
Nagasaki Kunchi from Nagasaki Pref 
Eisaa from Okinawa Pref 
Taken by Sarah Nishina
Tsukiji Noryo Bon Odori Festival
Held at Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple on August 3 – 6, 2016.
A man making “Ikayaki” (Grilled squids)
Taken by Hiromi Suzuki
Hanazono Jinja Bon Odori Festival 2016
Held at Hanazono Jinja Shrine, located near Shinjuku Station, on August 1 – 2, 2016.
Kingyo Sukui, Lit.”Goldfish scooping”
Taken by Mekdachi Khalil
Jizoson Bon Dancing
Held at Zojoji Temple, located near Tokyo Tower, on July 31 – August 1, 2016.
Taken by Mekdachi Khalil
Shimbashi Koichi Matsuri
Held near JR/Metro Shimbashi Station on July 21 – 22, 2016.
Taken by Mekdachi Khalil
Sanno Matsuri
One of the three main festivals of Edo along with the Kanda Festival and Fukugawa Festival.
Taken by Chika Araki
Hino Shinsengumi Festival
Held in Hino, a city located in the western portion of Tokyo Metropolis, on May 7 & 8.
The Shinsengumi (新選組 or 新撰組, meaning “the new squad”) was a special police force organized by the Bakufu (military government) during Japan’s Bakumatsu period (late shogun) in 1864. It was active until 1869.
Taken by Masayuki Miyazaki
Hanamatsuri
It refers to the memorial service performed at temples throughout Japan to celebrate the birth of Buddha on April 8th.
Taken by K2-Style
Furusato Festival Tokyo 2016
Presenting local foods and festivals from across Japan. It’s held until Jan 17 (Sun) at Tokyo Dome.
Yonezawa Beef Bento Boxes from Yamagata Pref.
Kanto Matsuri performers from Akita Pref.
Hakodate Seafood Bowls from Hokkaido
Nebutas (floats of brave warrior-figures) from Aomori Pref.
*Taken by Rodger Sono
Tori-no-ichi (The Rooster Market)
Held at Hanazono Shrine, Shinjuku-ku.
Taken by Ayami Ito
Shoga Matsuri (Ginger Festival)
Held in Minato-ku.
Taken by Mekdachi Khalil
Shibuya Kon-no Hachimangu Shrine Annual Festival
Taken on Sept 20, 2015, by Hiroyuki Hayashi 
The live show at Kon-no Hachimangu Shrine on Sept 17, 2015, performed by a band called “BEGIN”. It’s a Japanese pop rock group from Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Pref. *Taken by Megumi Honzawa
The show at the same venue last year.
Super Yosakoi 2015
Held in Omote-sando/Harajuku area on August 29 & 30, 2015.
Yosakoi is the big summer dance festival held in Kochi City, Shikoku Island. The style of dance is highly energetic, combining traditional Japanese dance movements with modern music. It has spread throughout much of Japan.
Taken by Tomoka Nakamura
Kagurazaka Matsuri
Held from July 22 until 25, 2015.
Taken by Koichi Enomoto
Sanja Matsuri
Literally “Three Shrine Festival”. It’s an annual festival held at Asakusa Jinja Shrine and considered one of the wildest and largest Shinto festivals in Tokyo.
Taken by Aya Karasuyama
Tori-no-ichi
Held at Hanazono Shrine, Shinjuku-ku. See this page for more about this festival.
Taken by Ayami Ito
Bettara-ichi
Held at Ebisu Shrine at Nihombashi, Chuo-ku. See this page for more about this festival.
Taken by Ayami Ito