Every summer in Japan, something truly magical happens along the rivers and coasts — thousands of glowing lanterns gently float on the water, creating a peaceful, dreamlike scene. This beautiful tradition is called Toro Nagashi, the Japanese Floating Lantern Festival, a heartfelt ceremony honoring ancestors, praying for peace, and celebrating life itself.

If you’re planning a summer trip to Japan, one of the most spectacular events you won’t want to miss is Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. This lively festival, held every year on July 24th and 25th, is considered one of Japan’s top three festivals, alongside Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and Tokyo’s Kanda Matsuri. It’s a wonderful celebration full of tradition, energy, and dazzling sights that truly capture the spirit of Japanese summer.

Osaka’s Aizen Festival, also known as the Yukata Festival, is an event that marks the beginning of summer.  One of Osaka’s 3 main summer festivals and Japan’s oldest summer festival, the Aizen Festival has a rich history that dates back to the Asuka period (538-710).  Since 2015, the Aizen Festival has been recognized as an intangible folk cultural property by the city of Osaka.  Every year at Tennoji’s Aizendo Shomanin Temple on June 30th until July 2nd, the streets are fill

While people of all gender identities whole-heartedly believe year-round in the truth that love is love, the month of June in particular is when people and communities around the globe celebrate this irrefutable fact and take enormous pride in themselves for who they are and for who they wish for others to recognize them to be. Hence the name of the month-long celebration PRIDE.

From early June to mid-July, Japan enters its tsuyu, or rainy season. The days become warm and humid, and sudden downpours are common. But amid the misty evenings and damp air, a beautiful seasonal event begins—the arrival of fireflies. Known in Japanese as hotaru, these glowing insects have long been symbols of summer, nostalgia, and the quiet magic of nature.

If you’re looking for a fun, heartwarming, and unforgettable cultural experience in Japan this spring, make sure to mark your calendar for Sunday, May 18, 2025. That’s when the Kobe Festival, the city’s biggest annual event, will light up the streets with music, dance, parades, and community spirit!

Though the rain and snow have lasted well into spring, it’s almost time for the cherry blossoms to bloom.  Regardless of how many times you’

Tanabata, also known as the star festival, is celebrated in most places on the seventh of July.  During this festival, it is common to write