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During the summer months in Japan, you can expect warm weather and plenty of exciting seasonal activities. From festivals and outdoor activities, there are many things you can do all across the country, so it might be hard to choose which ones you want to add to your travel plans. Try out our picks and join in on the fun in these 10 events and things to do in Japan during August!
- 1. Obon Festivals
- 2. Climb Mt. Fuji
- 3. Miyagawacho Beer Garden
- 4. Summer Sonic Music Festival
- 5. Awaji Farm Park England Hill
- 6. Nagaoka Fireworks Festival
- 7. Nagoya Castle Summer Festival
- 8. World Cosplay Summit Championship
- 9. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony
- 10. Naked Garden One Kyoto
- Japan Wonder Travel Tours
- Other Articles You Might Enjoy
1. Obon Festivals
Obon is an annual event that takes place from August 13th through the 16th all across Japan. This Buddhist celebration is a chance for people to pay their respects to deceased loved ones and commemorate their spirit. During this time, there are a few Obon events that draw a large crowd for their unforgettable experiences. First of which, is the Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima. Here, you can witness a traditional Japanese dance called Odori, known as the fool’s dance. In Kyoto, you can experience the largest okuribi, send-off fire, of Obon called Daimonji Festival. Five mountains are set ablaze with various kanji characters to help guide the spirits back home. As Obon is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, you can expect these festivals to be packed.
When: Throughout August
2. Climb Mt. Fuji
With Mountain Day approaching on August 11th, why not gear up for the hike up Mt. Fuji? As one of Japan’s newest official holidays, people usually celebrate by appreciating the beauty that nature has to offer. Being the tallest peak in all of Japan, Mt. Fuji takes approximately 10 hours to climb, depending on which trail you take. Try the Yoshida trail if you need access to more shops and rest stations or one of the others if you’re a more experienced climber. However, Mt, Fuji is only open to climbers from early July to September, so don’t wait for your next adventure. Join in on the fun by finding the hiking trail right for you!
3. Miyagawacho Beer Garden
Are you interested in learning about geisha and love beer? Miyagawacho offers a unique experience where you can enjoy fresh craft brews, BBQ, and the performances of geiko and maiko – the Kyoto-specific term for geisha and their apprentices. Here, the geiko and maiko greet and then entertain guests with dance, song, and instruments while dressed in a traditional Japanese yukata. This event is only available for a short time from July to August and has limited seating, so make sure to add this special event to your Kyoto travel plans since interacting with the geiko and maiko is such an exclusive experience!
4. Summer Sonic Music Festival
Summer is the time for outdoor fun, music festivals being one of those exciting activities! The Summer Sonic Music Festival, one of the largest in Japan, is on August 17th and 18th this year. Artists such as One Republic, Bring Me The Horizon, Christina Aguilera, and many more will take the stage in Tokyo and Osaka to share their talents with visitors. Unfortunately the official site is no longer selling tickets, but there may still be hope yet from searching the internet for any affiliated sellers with remaining stock. Keep in mind that tickets usually go on sale around march, so be ready for next year!
When: August 17 – 18
5. Awaji Farm Park England Hill
With the sunny days August brings, beautiful fields of flowers are sure to bloom. Awaji Farm Park England Hill is home to a golden sea of sunflowers reaching full bloom during mid-August. Stroll the fields and take in the scenery of over 50,000 vibrant sunflowers that make for an amazing photo location. You can also visit a petting zoo, harvest fruits and vegetables, and do many other activities with the whole family at this fun-filled park. Stop at Awaji Island located to the southwest of Osaka, to visit this exciting and scenic park!
6. Nagaoka Fireworks Festival
For two nights in early August, watch as the night sky lights up with 20,000 fireworks that shimmer across the Shinano River. The Nagaoka Hanabi Festival, first celebrated to restore peace after WWII, has become one of the largest annual fireworks shows in Japan and the longest length of fireworks in the world. Reminiscent of Niagra Falls for its large and twinkling cascade of colors that flow endlessly into the river, this event attracts nearly a million people every year. That being said, arrive early to find a good viewing spot for the next couple of hours so that you can sit back and take in all the excitement of the fiery show.
When: August 1 – 3. Fireworks on August 2-3
7. Nagoya Castle Summer Festival
Starting in early August, a lively and fun-filled festival will overtake the Nagoya Castle grounds. With magnetic entertainers, mouth-watering food stalls, and exciting games, the Nagoya Castle Summer Festival is the place to go for a night of amusement. Enjoy traditional Japanese summer treats such as kakigori to cool off from the hot sun or the local delicacies known as Nagoya Meshi to satisfy your appetite. Watch as the performers dance in sync wearing vibrant yukata and fire off historical matchlock muskets. Come to the festival for fantastic shows, delicious food, and an unforgettable experience during these two weeks in Nagoya.
When: August 5 – 15
8. World Cosplay Summit Championship
This year’s World Cosplay Summit Championship in Nagoya will be one for the books from August 4th to 6th. Starting in 2003, this character-centered event has given people across the world the opportunity to show off their skills in creating intricate and complex cosplay designs. Even if you’re not participating in the competition, you can come dressed to impress as your favorite character to delight in the festivities of this event. Also present will be some prominent members of the video game and anime industries such as music producer Hironobu Kageyama and game designer Yoko Taro.
When: August 4 – 6
9. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony
On a bit of a more serious note, this ceremony is held in front of the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park with the participation of many people including the families of the atomic bomb victims, in order to comfort the spirits of the atomic bomb victims and to pray for lasting peace in the world. Anyone can participate in the daytime ceremony. In the evening, a ‘lantern floating ceremony’ takes place, where paper lanterns are lit and floated down the Motoyasu River with messages of peace.
When: August 6
10. Naked Garden One Kyoto
Until August 20th, Naked Garden One Kyoto is bringing digital art to the traditional city. Starting at World Heritage Site Nijo-jo Castle, immerse yourself in the colorful lights as they shine against the original artworks displayed at the site. The blend of real and virtual art will give you an experience like no other as you watch the illuminations radiate the night sky. Then head to Uji Koshoji Temple for another installment of this innovative art experience that presents the beauty of the modern and traditional worlds. Step into the future at these creative exhibits by Naked Garden One Kyoto.
When: Throughout August
After reading through our picks for August 2024, which events do you want to attend? Experience traditional Japanese culture, modern displays, and many festivals throughout your time in Japan. Did we miss one of your favorite summer activities? Reach out to us on our social media and tell us all about it. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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Japan Wonder Travel is a travel agency that offers guided tours throughout Japan.
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▶Mt. Fuji Day Trip Bus Tour from Tokyo
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