Japan's Festivals and Events in June

Summer is here! In June, we can see many colorful hydrangea blooms beautifying parks and temples. Along with those beautiful sceneries, there are many seasonal events and festivals to be enjoyed throughout the country. In June, Japan experiences a lot of rain, often known as the rainy season (梅雨ーtsuyu). This does not mean that it rains every day, it just means that rainfall is more frequent during this season. 

Despite the rain, people are still out and about enjoying and/or participating in festivals. Below are some of the festivals that are compiled by Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Tourist Information Center.

Tokyo 東京

1. Shimoda Park 下田公園：Hydrangea plants in a hillside park.

2. Yosakoi Soran Festival YOSAKOIソーラン祭り: A multi-day festival featuring food stalls and dance performances.

3. Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival (Ajisai Matsuri)文京あじさいまつり: Hydrangea flower festival

Kyoto　京都

4. Taue Sai伏見稲荷大社: A rice planting festival

Mie Prefecture 三重県

5. Izawanomiya Rice Planting Festival 伊雑宮御田植式: A rice-planning ritual

神奈川ー石川県

6. Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival金沢百万石まつり: Hyakumangoku Parade featuring a procession where participants are dressed in 16th-century attire. The festival also involves historical re-enactments, taiko performances, and lion dancing.   

北海道

7. Hokkaido Shrine Festival : Annual festival of the shrine.

If you happen to be in Japan, take a trip out to these events and festivals to experience truly authentic Japanese culture. Remember to refer to the tourism board website to get the latest information on the dates and time. Also, please note that some of the events are outside of the Tokyo area. 

Enjoy the summer!