Grand Sumo May Basho 2026: Your Guide to the Summer Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan
The May Grand Sumo Tournament runs May 10-24 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. From buying tickets to ringside rituals, here's your complete guide to experiencing Japan's national sport live.
April 16, 2026
Takaoka Mikurumayama Festival: UNESCO Heritage Floats Roll Through Toyama (May 1, 2026)
Every May 1, the city of Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture brings out seven magnificent lacquered festival floats designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Here's everything you need to know to witness this 400-year-old tradition.
April 16, 2026
Nagasaki Golden Week Pottery Trail: Hasami Festival, Mikawachi Kilns & DEJIMA Expo (Late April – Early May 2026)
Explore Nagasaki Prefecture's Golden Week ceramic trail: browse everyday Hasami ware at Japan's top pottery festival, discover refined Mikawachi white porcelain at kiln workshops, then soak up East-meets-West culture at DEJIMA Expo.
April 16, 2026
Thai Festival Tokyo 2026: Japan's Biggest International Food Festival Returns to Yoyogi Park (May 9–10)
The 26th Thai Festival Tokyo brings 300,000 visitors to Yoyogi Park for two days of authentic Thai street food, Muay Thai demonstrations, traditional dance, and live music. Japan's largest free international food festival.
April 16, 2026
First-Ever Ujo Sky Lantern Festival at Okayama Castle: A Magical Golden Week Night (May 4, 2026)
Okayama Castle hosts its first-ever sky lantern festival on May 4, 2026. Hundreds of glowing lanterns rise above the iconic black castle keep for one unforgettable Golden Week evening.
April 16, 2026
Naha Hari 2026: Okinawa's Golden Week Dragon Boat Festival — Racing, Fireworks & Subtropical Celebrations (May 3–5)
Okinawa's largest Golden Week festival features thrilling dragon boat races at Naha Port, hands-on paddling experiences, Ryukyuan cuisine, and a spectacular fireworks finale over the harbor.
April 16, 2026
Hiroshi Nagai: Travelling North — The City Pop Illustrator Heads to Shibuya (May 1–17, 2026)
Hiroshi Nagai, the illustrator whose sun-drenched tropical and urban scenes defined the look of 1980s Japanese city pop, brings new work to Bunkamura Gallery in Shibuya Hikarie for a limited two-week run.
April 15, 2026
Japan Wisteria Season 2026: Best Fujidana Tunnels and Purple Bloom Spots in May
May is Japan's wisteria season, when ancient pergolas and garden trellises overflow with cascading purple and white blooms. Discover the top fujidana spots across the country, from Kyushu tunnels to Tohoku sacred mountains.
April 15, 2026
Kanazawa After Dark: Free Spring Illumination at Kenrokuen Garden & Kanazawa Castle (May 2–5, 2026)
For four nights over Golden Week, Kenrokuen — one of Japan's three great gardens — and Kanazawa Castle Park open after dark for free, bathed in spring illumination that transforms their iconic landscapes.
April 15, 2026
Yokohama Flower & Garden Festival 2026: Japan's Most Spectacular Garden Show Comes to Minato Mirai (May 1–4)
Japan's largest gardening event fills Pacifico Yokohama with world-class rose exhibitions, show gardens by top designers, and live floral artistry — a sensory feast just steps from Yokohama Bay.
April 15, 2026
Meiji Jingu Spring Grand Festival 2026: Sacred Arts & Spring Irises in the Heart of Tokyo (Apr 29–May 3)
Meiji Jingu's most important spring ceremony brings free bugaku court dances, noh theater, and rare classical performances to central Tokyo — all while the inner garden blooms with irises and azaleas.
April 15, 2026
Gargantua Music Festival 2026: Hokuriku's Biggest Music Week in Kanazawa (April 28 – May 5)
Gargantua Music Festival, Hokuriku's largest music festival, returns to Kanazawa for Golden Week 2026. From April 28 to May 5, Ishikawa Concert Hall and venues across the city host a full week of classical, jazz, musical theater, and film music performances.
April 14, 2026