Japan in July and August: A Summer of Festivals and Fireworks
| Updated March12, 2025 |
July and August are Japan's peak summer months. With July in the heart of summer and August marking summer vacation for most schools, it’s the season of festivals! The weather is typically hot and humid, but there are plenty of ways to stay cool.
To help you decide whether July or August is the best time to visit Japan, we've broken down key aspects of both months. While each has its pros and cons, there’s never a wrong time to visit Japan!
Japan’s summer temperatures are not the highest globally, but combined with humidity, the heat can feel intense. Fortunately, there are ways to beat the heat, and being prepared is key.
July
In Tokyo, July sees average highs in the 80s (°F) and lows in the 70s. The rainy season typically lasts until late July, with sporadic but heavy showers. In contrast, Hokkaido doesn’t have an official rainy season, though unexpected rainfall can occur. If you’re looking to avoid the rain, Okinawa may be a good option. Since it experiences an earlier rainy season, it is one of the first places in Japan to see clearer skies. However, keep in mind that Okinawa starts entering typhoon season in August, which may impact travel plans.
While July is hot, it’s also full of exciting festivals, making it a great time to visit. Whether in Honshu or Hokkaido, the abundance of events may make enduring the heat worthwhile.
August
August is notorious for being the hottest month in Japan. The average temperatures are similar to July but generally a few degrees warmer. However, it’s the humidity that makes August feel even more sweltering.
August is also typhoon season in Japan, bringing occasional heavy rain and strong winds, though weather conditions can be unpredictable. While August is not part of Japan’s official rainy season, sudden downpours are common, so carrying an umbrella is a good idea. Despite the heat and rain, August remains a vibrant time for travel, as festivals and events continue in full swing.
An August sunset in Japan
Fun fact: In some cities, like Osaka, vending machines offer free umbrellas on a trust-based system, allowing people to borrow and return them later.
Here's another post we did about summers in Japan, with a few helpful tips to help you survive the summer heat!
July and August are peak seasons for festivals, with numerous fireworks displays and traditional celebrations throughout Japan. In August, most schools are out for the summer, so many places tend to get more crowded. Here are some highlights:
| Gion Festival | Kyoto | Usually July 1 - 31* |
| The Gion Festival is probably one of the most famous festivals in Japan, and certainly one of the top festivals in Kyoto. During the festival, many events that nod to traditional Japanese culture take place, with the most popular and famous being the Yamaboko Junko. The Yamaboko Junko is the float parade that occurs on July 17th and July 24th. Just be forewarned that the event tends to get crowded as it's a very popular festival! | ||
| Hakata Gion Yamakasa | Fukuoka | Usually July 1 - 15* |
| Hakata Gion Yamasaka is a well-known festival in Kyushu within Fukuoka Prefecture. The festival stems from a religious ceremony but has evolved some to what it is today. During this festival, men donning traditional loin-cloths run through the streets of Hakata while carrying traditional floats known as Yamakasa. The main event, which occurs on July 15th is the day to watch. There is a big race event called Oiyama in which floats are raced across the streets, which is exhilarating and exciting to bear witness to. | ||
| Ise Shrine Dedication Fireworks Festival | Mie | Around July 13* |
| Ise Jingu Shrine Dedication Fireworks festival is known to be one of the three most major fireworks shows in Japan. The best pyrotechnicians from all over Japan are enlisted to launch fireworks, and it all comes together in one spectacular show. | ||
| Nagoya Port Festival | Aichi | Mid-July |
| The Nagoya Port Festival features a famous firework festival that occurs as the final event. The fireworks are synchronized to music in a "melody hanabi," hanabi being the Japanese word for fireworks. | ||
| Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament | Aichi | July 13 - 27 |
| If you know anything about sumo, you know it's a big part of the culture in Japan. Sumo tournaments only occur six times a year, each lasting 15 days. This tournament in July will happen in the Aichi Prefecture. Sumo events tend to be very popular and tickets tend to sell out quickly, especially for the weekend shows. Tickets tend to be on the pricier side but it's definitely amazing to go see if you get the chance! | ||
| Tenjin Festival | Osaka | July 24 - 25* |
| The Tenjin Festival is held annually in Osaka and is one of the most famous festivals. Although there are other Tenjin Festivals that occur in other parts of Japan, the one in Osaka Tenmangu Shrine as it is the most well known. There are events that happen on land and on the water during the festival, and there is also a firework show at night, making for an eventful and exciting festival. | ||
| Doshin UHB Fireworks Festival | Hokkaido | Late July |
| For those that are going to be in Hokkaido for July, Hokkaido has its own famous firework festival called the Doshin UHB Fireworks Festival also known as the Toyohira River Fireworks. The show occurs in Sapporo over the Toyohiragawa river, where about 4000 bright sparkling fireworks will light up the night sky. | ||
| Japan International Birdman Rally | Shiga | July 27 - 28* |
| The Japan International Birdman Rally is a relatively famous event that takes place where people build human-powered flying machines and compete to fly the furthest distance over a lake. The event takes place at Lake Biwa in Shiga, and the competitors are often high school and college students. | ||
August is not only the time of summer break for schools but also Obon (お盆), a major holiday period in Japan usually in mid-August but varying by region. During this time, many people travel to visit family or take vacations, leading to increased congestion on roads, trains, and airports. While this can make transportation more challenging, it’s also a period filled with cultural significance. Numerous Obon festivals and Bon Odori dances take place across Japan, offering travelers a unique opportunity to experience local traditions. By planning ahead and securing accommodations and transportation early, visitors can immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere while avoiding unnecessary travel stress.
| The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival | Niigata | Early August* |
| The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is a three-day even in which float parades, folk dances, and spectacular firework shows occur. The festival also showcases traditional Niigata foods and snacks. The main area to view fireworks require a ticket to enter, but it's not entirely necessary to watch from upfront if you do not wish to purchase tickets. Japanese firework shows are well-known and highly regarded, so it may be worth it to purchase tickets. Just prepare for crowds! | ||
| Hiroshima Toro Nagashi | Hiroshima | August 6 |
| The Hiroshima Toro Nagashi is an event that occurs every year as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the dropping of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. Lanterns are lit up and released at night onto the Motoyasu River in remembrance and as a prayer for lasting peace throughout the world. At 8:15 in the morning of the day, bells and sirens ring out throughout the city, and throughout the day various other events take place before the lantern release. | ||
| Sendai Tanabata | Miyagi | August 6 - 8 |
| The Sendai Tanabata is arguably the most popular Tanabata festival in Japan. Colorful streams of paper and strips with written wishes are hung around the city. This festival paints the city in rainbows, figuratively speaking, as the decorations are so colorful. There is also a firework festival on the 8th to conclude the festivities. | ||
| Tokushima Awa Odori | Tokushima | August 11 - 15 |
| The Tokushima Awa Odori is a notable and famous summer dance festival that occurs in Tokushima. Streets are closed down for the festivities, and groups of people dance the specific style of Awa Odori on the streets. The event has reserved seating for those who would like to purchase tickets and watch the dancing on the stages, but watching the dancing that occurs on the street is free. This is a great event to see some traditional Japanese culture! | ||
| Kumano Fireworks Taikai | Mie | August 17 |
| One of the most famous fireworks festivals in Mie, and a popular one throughout Japan for the way the fireworks are lit, the Kumano Fireworks Taikai is an event to attend. The fireworks are lit up on the water at Shichirigahama Beach. Based on ocean conditions, the events may be postponed but the backup dates are as follows and could be one of the following: August 18th, 22nd, 29th, and 30th. | ||
| Summer Sonic Osaka | Osaka | August 16 - 17 |
| A famous music festival in Osaka with many famous headliners including popular artists and songs from the United States! The event is actually held in Chiba as well as Osaka. | ||
| Sapporo Summer Festival | Hokkaido | July 18 - August 16* |
| Also noting is the Sapporo Summer Festival that encompasses a wide range of events over the course of about a month. For those who are in Hokkaido during July 18th through August 16th, there will be a lot going on, including multiple beer gardens in Odori Park! | ||
There are so many firework festivals to even list but here if you get the chance also check out:
Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival in Osaka, the Kanmon Straits Fireworks Festival in Fukuoka, the Yoshinogawa Festival and Fireworks in Nara, the Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival in Nagano, the Hitoyoshi Fireworks Festival in Kumamoto, the Miyazu Toro Nagashi Fireworks in Kyoto, the Shakado River Fireworks Festival in Fukushima, and finally the Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival in Hiroshima. There are smaller scale ones as well, but if you're interested in seeing fireworks in Japan, there are many options all throughout the country. July and August are definitely the times to go!
This year in July and August 2025, there are many events happening, especially in Tokyo. Be prepared for some crowds amongst the heat, and make sure to stay hydrated! Please be aware, summer events occuring in July and August may affect the dates of some of the events and cause cancellations or postponements.
*Disclaimer: Dates for 2025 events are not released for many of the events and are approximate dates. Dates will be updated closer to the month as more dates become available. All dates are subject to change without notice. Events may be canceled or postponed based on weather conditions and other factors. HIS is not responsible for any changes in the dates or itineraries of these events. We recommend always double-checking for the latest information online.
Read our other monthly guides here:
January and February: Coming soon
March and April: HERE
May and June: HERE
July and August: HERE
September and October: HERE
November: HERE
December: HERE
