Top 10 Must-See Events in Japan During May 2025

1. Meiji Jingu Spring Grand Festival

📅 Date: May 2–3, 2025
📍 Location: Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
One of Tokyo’s most refined celebrations of Japanese culture, the Meiji Jingu Spring Grand Festival honors Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken with traditional arts. Enjoy captivating performances of Noh theater, Kyogen comedic plays, and Biwa lute recitals. A standout is the "Urayasu no Mai," a classical dance presented in elegant Heian-era attire, symbolizing peace and harmony. The shrine’s verdant surroundings in early May provide the perfect backdrop for a serene cultural retreat in the heart of Tokyo.

2. Kanda Matsuri

📅 Date: May 8–15, 2025
📍 Location: Kanda Myojin Shrine, Tokyo
Held in odd-numbered years, Kanda Matsuri is one of Japan’s “Three Great Festivals.” Expect high energy, tradition, and community pride as over 200 mikoshi (portable shrines) parade through central Tokyo. The highlight is the Shinko-sai (main parade) on May 10, featuring samurai-costumed participants, musicians, and dancers. Streets near Akihabara and Otemachi transform into a spectacular stage of history and faith.

3. Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament

📅 Date: May 11–25, 2025
📍 Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo
Experience Japan’s national sport live during the May honbasho (official tournament). This is one of the best chances to witness sumo’s ritual, discipline, and raw power in its most authentic setting. Daily matches start from morning and culminate in bouts featuring yokozuna (grand champions) by evening. Whether you're a sports enthusiast or cultural explorer, sumo is a must-see.

4. Sanja Matsuri

📅 Date: May 16–18, 2025
📍 Location: Asakusa Shrine, Tokyo
Arguably Tokyo’s liveliest and most spirited festival, Sanja Matsuri features three massive mikoshi, accompanied by raucous chanting, traditional music, and taiko drumming. Watch as over 100 neighborhood teams shoulder the shrines through narrow lanes around Senso-ji Temple, bringing the entire district to life. The festive energy spills into every corner of Asakusa, where food stalls, local performances, and yukata-clad crowds abound.

5. Yokohama Night Flowers Fireworks

📅 Date: May 17 & 24, 2025 (7:00 PM)
📍 Location: Minatomirai, Yokohama
Spring fireworks return with elegance in Yokohama’s waterfront district. The “Star Mine” display lights up the night sky above skyscrapers and the bay, offering the perfect date night or family outing. Best viewed from Osanbashi Pier, Yamashita Park, or one of Minatomirai’s rooftop restaurants, this event blends urban sophistication with traditional spectacle.

6. Adachi Fireworks Festival

📅 Date: May 31, 2025 (7:20 PM)
📍 Location: Arakawa Riverside, Tokyo
Tokyo’s earliest large-scale summer fireworks show features over 13,000 shells in just 60 minutes. The explosive finale and fast pace make this a crowd favorite. Arrive by late afternoon to secure free seating or book reserved spots in advance. Picnics, street food, and riverside views complete this festive early-summer celebration.

7. Katsushika Iris Festival

📅 Date: Late May – Mid-June 2025
📍 Location: Horikiri Shobuen Garden & Mizumoto Park, Tokyo
Celebrate the elegance of Japanese horticulture as over 6,000 irises bloom in vivid purples, whites, and blues. Located in northeast Tokyo, this tranquil event includes tea ceremonies, traditional music, and photography-friendly gardens. Shuttle buses on weekends make it easy to visit both venues, with Mizumoto Park offering scenic lakeside strolls.

8. Hakata Dontaku Festival

📅 Date: May 3–4, 2025
📍 Location: Hakata, Fukuoka
Drawing over 2 million spectators, this is Japan’s largest Golden Week festival. Expect a carnival-like atmosphere with colorful floats, traditional folk dances, and community performances. Originating from a 12th-century ritual, Dontaku showcases Fukuoka’s warmth, hospitality, and cultural pride. Evening parades and lanterns add a magical touch.

9. Osaka Grand Sumo Tournament

📅 Date: May 11–25, 2025
📍 Location: Edion Arena, Osaka
Running concurrently with Tokyo’s tournament, the Osaka edition offers a more regional twist. It's a great chance to witness sumo if you’re in the Kansai region. Surrounding the arena, local eateries serve hearty Osakan fare, making this a flavorful sporting and cultural experience.

10. Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival)

📅 Date: May 8–14, 2025 (Main procession: May 15)
📍 Location: Imperial Palace → Shimogamo Shrine → Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto
One of Kyoto’s three major festivals, Aoi Matsuri is an elegant procession of over 500 people dressed in Heian-period court attire. With ox-drawn carriages, imperial messengers, and shrine maidens, the parade captures the aesthetic of Japan’s classical past. The route meanders through Kyoto’s most sacred sites, offering a majestic glimpse into aristocratic rituals.

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Japan in May is a symphony of tradition, excitement, and natural beauty. Whether you’re marveling at sacred rituals in Kyoto, enjoying pyrotechnics over Tokyo’s rivers, or cheering sumo champions in Osaka, there’s no better time to explore the country. These top 10 events highlight not only what to do in May in Japan but also where to go for unforgettable cultural moments. Be sure to book accommodations early, especially during Golden Week and major festivals.

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