Autumn Festivals in Japan You Shouldn’t Miss

Autumn in Japan is more than just foliage; it’s also a time when the country’s cultural spirit comes alive. Across every region, from rural towns to coastal cities, festivals offer bold visuals, deep-rooted traditions, and community energy that sync with the season. Here are some of the best 秋祭り (aki matsuri) you shouldn’t miss this fall.

Takayama Autumn Festival (Takayama, Gifu): October 9 – 10

One of Japan’s most elegant autumn matsuri, the Takayama Autumn Festival (Hachiman Matsuri) unfolds in the historic old town surrounding Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine. Eleven ornate floats, or yatai, carved with gilded wood, lacquer, and metalwork, parade through streets by day, and glitter beneath 100 lanterns by night. Each float houses karakuri marionettes, puppets operated from within that tell stories of Japanese folklore, and watching them move in perfect sync is like witnessing a tiny theater come to life.

Whilst attending, you can expect locals in traditional costumes, rhythmic flute and drum music, and an underlying sense of communal pride rooted in centuries-old harvest rituals. The festival is also a showcase of craftsmanship, you can view restored floats year-round at the Yatai Kaikan exhibition, complete with English audio guides (For a small fee).

Address: Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine

Website: https://unesco.hietsuno-japan.com/en/

Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri (Kishiwada, Osaka): Mid‑September (~Sep 13 – 14)

Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is one of the wildest festivals in Japan. There are about 3 – 4 giant tonne danjiri floats, each representing local neighborhoods, and they are launched down narrow streets at breakneck speeds. Pullers fueled by the sound of taiko drums and spirited chants turn corners at full throttle in an act called yarimawashi, a breathtaking display of strength and timing.

A master called Daikugata, perched atop the float, dances and directs the team below. After dark, the floats are lit with hundreds of lanterns and shift into slow-moving parades. Rooted in a 300-year-old tradition, the festival began as a prayer for an abundant harvest when the lord of Kishiwada Castle opened the gates to neighboring communities. The energy is intense, the streets are packed, and the action is unpredictable. Stay alert and keep a safe distance from the floats, especially near sharp turns. Be sure to arrive early to claim prime viewing spots near the castle grounds.

Address: Kishiwada Station

Website: https://www.city.kishiwada.lg.jp/site/danjiri/

Kanuma Buttsuke Festival (Kanuma, Tochigi): Mid-October

Held in early October in Tochigi Prefecture, Kanuma Buttsuke is one of Japan’s designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Assets. The city hosts 26 elaborately carved wooden yatai, which clash musically in a celebration known as buttsuke, taiko drumming echoing through intersections as floats converge side by side.

Day one centers around Imamiya Shrine with dances and the lighting of floats, while day two features a grand procession down festival streets, vendor-lined food alleys, and a fireworks finale at dusk. It’s theatrical, loud, and deeply communal, a sensory dive into rural autumn energy.

Address: 36° 33′ 59.9846″ N 139° 44′ 45.5118″ E

Website: https://www.buttsuke.com/

Nagasaki Kunchi (Nagasaki City): October 7 – 9

Celebrating over 380 years of tradition, Nagasaki Kunchi blends Japanese matsuri with Chinese dragon dances and Dutch-influenced float imagery, reflecting Nagasaki’s multicultural history. From floats shaped like dragons and ships to performances like Kagura and lion dances, each group performs once every seven years, creating a rotating festival schedule of entertainment and ceremonies.

Major performances take place at four key venues across Nagasaki City, Suwa Shrine, Otabisho, Yasaka Shrine, and Chuo Park. Each hosting dynamic dance and float presentations during the Kunchi Festival. While many of these performances require tickets, seats often sell out weeks in advance through Japanese-language platforms, making it difficult for overseas visitors to secure them. If you’re hoping to attend, it’s best to plan ahead and explore booking options early.

Address:

• Suwa Shrine
• おくんち広場
• Yasaka Shrine
• Central Park

Website: https://nagasaki-kunchi.com/english

Morioka Autumn Festival (Morioka, Iwate): Mid-September

Set in front of Morioka Hachimangu Shrine, this three-day spectacle fuses rhythmic floats with mounted archery displays. The floats parade with drums and chants, while skilled riders on horseback perform yabusame, shooting arrows at targets while galloping through shrine grounds. It’s a raw display of samurai art and communal festival connecting the region to its warrior heritage. Expect more locals, fewer tourists, and a proud, solemn vibe.

Address: Morioka Hachimangu Shrine

Website: https://www.odette.or.jp/?p=829

Takengei (Wakamiya Inari Shrine, Nagasaki): October 14 – 15

A standout rare festival in Takengei. Performers in fox masks scale two 10-meter bamboo poles, one male and one female, declare love at the top with music, then slide down in a dramatic display. They conclude by tossing mochi and releasing a chicken into the crowd, symbolizing fertility and gratitude for seasonal abundance. Rooted in early 19th-century Shinto folk performance, this rare event blends acrobatics with folklore, transforming the shrine grounds into a stage for divine play.

Address: 32° 44′ 56.8356″ N 129° 53′ 16.5912″ E

Website: https://www.instagram.com/wakamiyainarijinjya/

Festival Timing & Tips

• The peak season is September through mid-October, aligning harvest rituals with autumn leaves.
  
• Major matsuri like Takayama, Kishiwada, and Kanuma draw big crowds — check dates annually and plan transport early.
  
• To avoid the cluster, towns like Kanuma, Morioka, and Nagasaki offer deeper cultural immersion with fewer visitors.
  
• Be sure to wear layers, as nights can get chilly, and don’t forget to bring water and comfortable walking shoes.

Japan’s Autumn Festivals in Full Color

Autumn in Japan isn’t just picturesque, it’s alive, communal, and deeply rooted in both ritual and spectacle. Whether you’re drawn to the handcrafted elegance of Takayama floats, the roaring charge of Kishiwada floats, or the cosmopolitan spirit of Nagasaki Kunchi, there’s a festival for every flavor of fascination. Plan smartly, dress sensibly, and let Japan’s autumn rhythms surprise and move you.

Featured Photo Credit: Bill Chizek

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