Best Matsuri & Traditional Festivals – Japan, June 2025
June in Japan is the beginning of the rainy season, but it’s also a month filled with some of the most vibrant and traditional matsuri across the country. From iconic mikoshi parades in Tokyo to ancient rice planting rituals in Mie, here’s a curated list of festivals happening this month.
Tokyo & Surroundings
Sannō Matsuri
One of Tokyo’s three major festivals, featuring imperial-style processions and Shinto rituals.
June 7–17, 2025 Hie Shrine, Akasaka, Tokyo tenkamatsuri.jpTorigoe Matsuri
Known for its giant 4-ton mikoshi carried with powerful energy through the streets.
June 7–9, 2025 Torigoe Shrine, Asakusa city.taito.lg.jpTsukiji Shishi Matsuri
Celebrates lion spirits said to protect the Tsukiji area, with striking lion masks on display.
June 7–10, 2025 Namiyoke Inari Shrine, Tsukiji namiyoke.or.jpShinagawa Shrine Reitaisai
A community-focused festival with mikoshi parades and traditional music in Shinagawa’s historic heart.
June 7–9, 2025 Shinagawa Shrine, Tokyo shinagawajinja.tokyoSusano Shrine Tenno Matsuri
Features the unique mikoshifuri performance, where the shrine is shaken side-to-side in rhythm.
June 8–9, 2025 Minami-Senju, Tokyo susanojinja.jpBunkyo Hydrangea Festival
Thousands of blooming hydrangeas fill Hakusan Shrine during Tokyo’s early summer rains.
June 8–16, 2025 Hakusan Shrine, Bunkyo city.bunkyo.lg.jpHotaru no Yube
Firefly viewing evenings in a natural park surrounded by hydrangeas.
June 8–23, 2025 Yuyake Koyake Fureai no Sato, Hachioji city.hachioji.tokyo.jpAoyama Gujo Odori
Traditional Gujo Odori dances from Gifu brought to Tokyo’s rugby stadium.
June 14–15, 2025 Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Aoyama gujohachiman.comOku-Asakusa Bon Odori
Evening summer dance event along the Sumida River in Asakusa.
June 29, 2025 Sumida Park, Asakusa taito-kanko.jpKansai & Nearby
Fujinomori Shrine Ajisai Festival
Hydrangeas in bloom along serene walking paths in a Kyoto shrine.
All June 2025 Fujinomori Shrine, Kyoto kyoto.travelSaioh Matsuri
Historical parade recreating the imperial procession of the Saiō priestess with Heian-era costumes.
June 1–2, 2025 Meiwa, Mie Prefecture Wikipedia – Saioh MatsuriYumura Onsen Festival
Local onsen town festival with a 100-meter tug-of-war rope involving the entire community.
June 2, 2025 Yumura Onsen, Hyōgo Prefecture yumura.gr.jpIsobe-no-Omita
Traditional rice planting ritual celebrating gratitude to nature and agricultural spirits.
Early June 2025 Isobe, Mie Prefecture beautiful-kansai.comKifune Matsuri
Rain prayer festival held at Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the water deity, with sacred rituals.
June 15, 2025 Kifune Shrine, Kyoto kifunejinja.jpSumiyoshi Taisha Otaue Shinji
Sacred rice planting ceremony featuring traditional chants and costumes, designated cultural heritage.
June 14, 2025 Sumiyoshi Taisha, Osaka sumiyoshitaisha.netIzawanomiya Otaue Matsuri
Ancient rice planting ritual celebrating fertility and tradition.
June 24, 2025 Izawa-no-miya Shrine, Mie Prefecture kankomie.or.jp