Featured Events in Japan in July, 2025 (July Updated)

This is an exhibition of works by Nodagiri, an illustrator living in Chikugo City who draws cute and heartwarming vegetable characters. On Saturday, July 26th, there will be workshops on vegetable characters and picture book readings.

The Tachikawa Festival National Showa Kinen Park Fireworks Display will be held in Tachikawa, Tokyo. This summer tradition of Tachikawa is characterized by its ability to keep spectators entertained from start to finish, including spectacular fireworks rarely seen in Tokyo and star thunders with a diameter of 130 cm.

Rusutsu Resort has a variety of activities such as an amusement park where you can have fun. During the summer vacation, from July 26 (Sat), August 2 (Sat), 9 (Sat) to August 16 (Sat), 23 (Sat), 2025, a gorgeous fireworks display with 1,200 fireworks will be set off with music. Rusutsu Resort offers a variety of outdoor and indoor activities for children in the summer, allowing you to fully enjoy the outdoors in Hokkaido. In addition to the fireworks display, you can also enjoy activities such as the amusement park and rafting, as well as the Yotei Panorama Terrace, which offers a panoramic view of Mt. Yotei, Lake Toya, and Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and even make waffle ice cream. It contains a lot of materials for summer independent learning projects, perfect for summer family trips.

The Saitama City Fireworks Festival is one of the largest fireworks festivals in the Kanto region and will be held at three venues. The Yamatoda Park venue, where the festival opens, offers an excellent view. Various fireworks, including rapid-fire fireworks and starlight fireworks, will be set off, creating a gorgeous display in the summer night sky of Saitama.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government has created a new tourist resource for nighttime viewing by using the exterior wall of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 as a screen to express a variety of art with light and sound, and to perform projection mapping all year round in order to activate and revitalize nighttime tourism. This time, as the 45th anniversary is approaching next year, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will begin showing works using the world-famous "Pac-Man". The game board appears on the outer wall of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and Pac-Man, who is making a futuristic scene, eats up everything vividly. The music of the game of Pac-Man, which has a futuristic feel, and the music of the highly friendly soundtrack maker Mr. Haraguchi Sasuke have produced. Please enjoy the collaborative work of Pac-Man and Tokyo that can only be seen in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

For millions of years, unique aesthetics have been born on the islands of Japan and have been passed down from generation to generation. From Jomon earthenware, Haniwa, Erika, armor, and ukiyo-e, to the popular anime that has taken the world by storm, this is an immersive theater that combines NHK's high-definition video technology with “New Wafuism”. The New Wafuism Theater is an immersive theater that incorporates NHK's high-definition video technology. In the theater, you will be able to experience Japanese culture through a time-traveling journey with national treasures and important cultural properties of the Tokyo National Museum.

The mysterious world of insects expands when you see and touch them. Interaction Corner You can touch large beetles such as the Hercules beetle, the white beetle, and the Caucasus beetle, for a total of 12 species.

The Konica Minolta Planetarium TOKYO (Yurakucho) will hold the "Summer Starry Sky Festival", which you can enjoy in the planetarium dome, which is cool even on hot summer days. The starry sky, fireworks, summer festival limited menus, game booths, let you enjoy extraordinary moments that can only be found here.

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is the most famous fireworks festival in Japan and has been held since the Edo period. It is usually held on the last Saturday of July. The venue is divided into two areas, and each venue has its own fireworks artist. It is expected that in 2025, the first venue will be managed by Marutamaya Kokatsu Fireworks Co., Ltd. and the second venue will be managed by Hosoya Enterprise Co., Ltd. In addition, the first venue will host a fireworks competition in which 10 famous fireworks makers from all over the country will participate. Due to the long distance between the various venues, it is not possible to enjoy the panoramic view up close, but the advantage of this is that it can disperse tourists. There are no official paid viewing seats, but it is possible to watch from the houseboat.

The world's first immersive exhibition "Klimt Alive" will be held, where you can travel through a golden world. This long-awaited new work was planned and produced by Grande Experiences, an Australian planning company that has been highly praised for its fascinating storytelling and innovative exhibition methods, and has been involved in immersive exhibitions such as "Van Gogh Alive" and "Monet & Friends Alive". Grande Experiences has held more than 280 exhibitions in more than 200 cities on six continents, attracting more than 25 million people. This exhibition will feature a giant screen set up in a large, pitch-black space 7 meters high. Amidst the light, color, sound and scent, Klimt's masterpieces, including "The Kiss", "Judith", and "Death and Life", will be projected one after another across the entire venue. You can enjoy an experience of being captivated by Klimt's gorgeous decorativeness and sensual beauty while immersing yourself in the classical music that plays along with the images. Photography and video are permitted in all exhibition rooms. You can capture your own glamorous Klimt world on camera.

60th Anniversary Gachagacha Exhibition to be held! Gachagacha were imported from the US to Japan in 1965, and this year marks the 60th anniversary of their arrival in Japan. The mechanism remains the same: insert money, turn the handle, and a toy in a capsule comes out, but the quality of the products is high and the selection is wide, and people are fascinated by items that at first glance seem practical. Gachagacha has also grown rapidly from a business perspective. Gachagacha, which has developed uniquely in Japan and is rare around the world, is currently in its fourth boom, and is enjoyed by people of all ages and genders, especially adult women. This exhibition will display the gems of each company that contributes to the cultural development of Gachagacha, and will dissect the fun of Gachagacha. The insatiable spirit of inquiry of people who give shape to their creations, high-quality and elaborate miniature products, and hilarious products full of humorous elements will be systematically exhibited, and the fun of Gachagacha, which is accepted and needed by modern people, will be unraveled. Why not take this opportunity to visit?

This is the largest fireworks display in the Joetsu area of ​​Niigata Prefecture, adding a lively atmosphere to the Joetsu Festival. In the second half of the Joetsu Festival, the main venue moves from Takata to Naoetsu, so it is also called the Naoetsu Gion Festival. As the mikoshi that parades around Joemachi Takata begins to move along the Sekikawa River toward Naoetsu, the fireworks display near the Arakawa Bridge also kicks off. About 5,000 fireworks are launched at the same time, and the shakudama and stars shine on the river, adding infinite vitality to the venue. In addition, the street food stalls and Gion mikoshi on the riverside create a dreamy atmosphere against the backdrop of thousands of lanterns.

Kuwana Town, famous for its waterways, has been hosting a fireworks display since 1934 (Showa 9). Large fireworks are launched from the sandbar of the Ibigawa River, and the entire scenery is bathed in light when viewed from the riverbank. You can enjoy a variety of fireworks, such as music fireworks set off to music and starlight fireworks that are launched continuously. About 10,000 fireworks will be set off, including the largest two-shaku fireworks in the Tokai region. Two-shaku fireworks are large fireworks with a diameter of about 600 meters, creating a spectacular sight in the night sky.

The Moka Fireworks Festival was originally created to provide lighting for the shrine parade, and this year will be the 53rd. Every year, the festival launches about 20,000 fireworks, attracting more than 170,000 people to watch, making it one of the largest fireworks festivals in Japan. The fireworks are launched after the shrine is lowered into the water, and since the launch site is very close to the viewing area, you can see the exact moment of the fireworks launch, which is very impressive. A "festival square" will be opened next to the fireworks festival venue, and 9 floats, more than 20 shrines, shrines made by junior high school students, and music will gather.

The Northern Kanazawa Fireworks Festival, held at the Ishikawa Prefectural MAMEDA Plaza, features a variety of fireworks, including combination fireworks and stunt fireworks. 1,000 combination fireworks and other fireworks are then launched in quick succession, making it a must-see sight. The festival also offers a "sponsor zone" so that those who have sponsored the festival can watch the fireworks up close.

"Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition" is an immersive digital art museum where visitors can experience the world of ukiyo-e through 3D CG animation and projection mapping. The exhibition is based on more than 300 masterpieces by world-famous ukiyo-e artists such as Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Utagawa Hiroshige, Kitagawa Utamaro, Tōshūsai Sharaku, and Utagawa Kunisada. The venue consists of approximately nine immersive zones, allowing visitors of all ages to fully immerse themselves in the dynamic world of ukiyo-e. This exhibition has already been held in Nagoya, Milan (Italy), Kagoshima, and Tokyo, attracting over 200,000 visitors worldwide. All areas of the venue allow photo and video shooting, enabling visitors to take stunning pictures while stepping into the enchanting world of ukiyo-e. Enjoy a limited-time immersive exhibition where masterpieces of ukiyo-e, which have captivated the world across generations, come to life in a dynamic and engaging way.

This is a highlight of the Otaru Gyushio Festival, which will be held in Otaru, Hokkaido, for three days from July 25 (Friday) to 27 (Sunday), 2025. Fireworks will be set off to bring the festival to a successful conclusion. At night, the gorgeous fireworks are reflected on the sea, creating a magical scene, and its unique atmosphere is completely different from fireworks on land. There will also be many food stalls around the venue, where you can taste local delicacies.

The Omuta "Big Snake Mountain" Festival is a traditional summer festival that represents Omuta. Over a two-day period, 18 giant snake-shaped floats will gather together for a parade, blocking about one kilometer of road. The giant snake-shaped float is about 10 meters long, about 5 meters high, and weighs 3 tons. The float is made of wood, and the head, body and tail (called "mountain") are made of Japanese paper, bamboo, straw, etc., decorated in the shape of a giant snake. 100 to 200 people pull it through the town, spewing thick smoke, and the scene is spectacular.

The Abashiri Fireworks Festival is the highlight of the Abashiri Okhotsk Summer Festival. Large-scale fireworks, including giant starburst fireworks that are launched all at once, and two-foot fireworks with a diameter of about 500 meters, light up the night sky of Okhotsk, creating a spectacular sight. You can experience the shocking power of fireworks and sound at the venue. With Kenkoiwa in Abashiri as the background, more than 12,000 fireworks will bloom in the night sky of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, forming a spectacular feast. Since the fireworks are launched from the coastline, there is a wide view without any obstruction, making it a great place to enjoy the fireworks up close.

Legend has it that the Kannon of Kiyomizu-dera Temple transforms into a blue dragon and drinks from the waterfalls at night, so this event is held to honor the Yasha Goddess, and to pray for the people who come to worship. The dancing blue dragon parades from Okuno to the cobblestone streets around Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The blue dragon is believed to be one of the four great gods that protect the city of Kyoto. In addition to the blue dragon, there are men dressed in traditional samurai clothes, and the streets are filled with music and spectacular dancing. It's really magical! The Spring Festival is on March 14-15 and April 3. The Fall Festival is September 14-15, starting at 14:00 (2pm).

Aubusson, a city in central France, has been known as a place where tapestries have been woven since the 15th century, and in 2009, tapestries woven in this region and the traditional techniques were registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Aubusson International Tapestry Center, which opened in 2016, introduces the history and techniques of tapestries and carpets through a wide range of examples. Since 2019, a project has been underway to weave scenes selected from Hayao Miyazaki's animated films into giant tapestries. In this special exhibition, a tapestry depicting a scene from the film "Spirited Away," one of the works in the project, will be shown for the first time in Japan. Materials related to the production of tapestries will also be exhibited at the venue, and Aubusson's tapestry techniques will be introduced.

In 2025, Osaka will be transformed into a giant art museum! "Learning: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025" will be held from April to October. The exhibition will cover various areas of Osaka and take the World Expo as an opportunity to bring an unprecedented art feast. Among the first wave of 28 international artists announced, heavyweight creators such as surreal sculpture master Ron Mueck and conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan will surely present a visual feast that subverts imagination!

"Design Ah! Neo" is an exhibition that expands the concept of the program "Design Ah! Neo" currently airing on NHK Educational TV into an experiential space. It has been held as a "Design Ah! Exhibition" at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT in 2013, and at six museums across the country, including the Miraikan, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, and the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art from 2018 to 2021. The third "Design Ah! Neo" exhibition will exhibit new works with new themes, while retaining the concept of encouraging children to enjoy various thoughts and discoveries about design.

Nyoirinji Temple is also known as the "Frog Temple" and is home to around 10,000 frog statues. Wind chimes are believed to ward off evil spirits, and thousands of them are placed around the shrine with wishes for a safe summer written on them. The wind chimes are hung with colorful pieces of paper that sway in the wind, creating a magical and photogenic sight. The cool sound will help you forget the summer heat. It attracts many tourists, including families with children and the elderly.

Sou Fujimoto (born 1971 in Hokkaido) has design offices in Tokyo, Paris, and Shenzhen, and is involved in a wide range of projects around the world, from private homes to universities, commercial facilities, hotels, and complexes. After garnering attention with his Aomori Museum of Art Competition in 2000, he has completed a series of highly acclaimed projects, including the Musashino Art University Museum and Library (Tokyo, 2010), the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013 (London), and in recent years the apartment complex L'Arbre Blanc (The White Tree) (Montpellier, France, 2019) and the music complex House of Hungarian Music (Budapest, 2021). He is currently one of the most notable Japanese architects, serving as the venue design producer for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo.

The Fuefuki River Ishikawa Cormorant Fishing event is held every year in Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture, and fireworks are set off on the day. Unlike general cormorant fishing, where fishermen control multiple cormorants in a small boat, cormorant fishing on the Fuefuki River is a unique Japanese fishing method, where fishermen walk in the river and control a cormorant. This is a unified "cormorant fisherman" fishing method with a history of more than 800 years. The cormorant fishing event will be held every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from July 20 (Sunday) to August 17 (Sunday), for a total of 17 days. After the cormorant fishing event, fireworks will light up the midsummer night sky for about 10 minutes.

The Tenjin Festival kicks off on July 24 with religious ceremonies at the shrine and river, lion dances, and prayers for peace and prosperity for Osaka. Once preparations are complete, men wearing red turbans beat drums to announce the start of the festival. The Tenjin Festival is an exciting summer festival for Osaka residents, featuring a variety of activities including various Shinto rituals, dance, music, and parades of mikoshi (portable shrines). The festival climaxes with a spectacular one-and-a-half-hour fireworks display in the evening. The festival is held in honor of Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning enshrined at Tenmangu Shrine. His spirit is transferred to a mikoshi at the shrine and carried along the streets to the river, where it is loaded onto a boat and prayed for the prosperity of Osaka. The highlight of the festival is the evening parade of illuminated mikoshi, some of which are lit with bonfires, on the Okawa River. You can enjoy the festival wearing Yukata (traditional summer dress) and geta (traditional shoes).

The event will be held at the open-air stage of Kushiro Saikyo-cho Park, where you can enjoy the "sea mist", the natural symbol of Kushiro. The main attraction of the event is the laser show that renders the foggy night sky colorful, allowing you to immerse yourself in a dreamy space where fog, lasers and sound interweave. In addition, the "sea mist market" where you can enjoy live music and food made with seasonal ingredients is also very popular.

The city of Niihama in Ehime Prefecture hosts one of the largest fireworks displays in Shikoku. About 8,000 fireworks light up the night sky over the industrial city of Niihama, attracting many visitors from surrounding towns and outside the prefecture. The fireworks display is unprecedented, with a starry sky as the main feature. Since the fireworks display is held on the riverbed, you can watch the impressive fireworks up close and hear the real sound of the fireworks. In addition, at the commemorative fireworks display hosted by the private sector, blessings for marriages, birthdays, school enrollment, housewarming, support, confessions, etc. are read out on site.