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Instead of arriving hours early to fight for a good spot, we had reserved seating right by the river, giving us an incredible front-row view of the thousands of fireworks lit up the night sky 💥It was amazing to just sit back, relax and watch the show unfold directly in front and even above 🤩🙋‍♀️ Are you adding Japanese fireworks festivals to your bucket list?#takaoka #hanabi #japanfireworks #japansummer #japantraveltakaoka, fireworks, japan fireworks, japan travel, japan festival, matsuri
This is when people gather around a raised stage called a yagura, dressed in colourful yukata, dancing together to the rhythm of traditional music 🏮What I love most about Bon Odori is that you don't need to be a professional dancer or even know the steps beforehand!The moves are simple and locals are always happy for you to join in 🎶Originally, Bon Odori was performed during Obon, a Buddhist tradition that honours the spirits of ancestors. Today, it's a fun Japan community celebration, bringing neighbourhoods together with food stalls, lanterns, games, and music 🍧If you're visiting Japan in summer, don't just watch from the sidelines. Step into the circle and dance along!Have you ever joined a Bon Odori festival? ✨#bonodori #japansummer #matsuri #japanfestival #japantravel
Was honestly surprised (and very impressed) seeing Haaland in this local festival in Tokyo! 😍🙋‍♀️ Tag @erling so he can see his doppelgänger in Japan!#haaland #erlinghaland #tokyo #tanabata #阿佐ヶ谷たなばた祭
The heat in Japanese cities has been so unbearable that the Meteorological Agency is now officially tracking extreme 40°C days under the term kokushobi ("cruelly hot day"). ☀️🌡️Between the stubborn heat dome trapping humidity like a lid and the city pavement radiating heat right back up at us, walking around outside has been a nightmare.How are you surviving Japan's cruelly hot days? Let us know below!#japantravel #japansummer #visitjapan #tokyotravel #japannews
Lake Biwa is one of Kansai's most underrated destinations, and summer is the best time to visit. The southern tip of the lake is only 30 minutes from Kyoto Station, and once you get there, there's just so much to do: ☀️Climb Hikone Castle: An original, 400-year-old castle with a beautiful traditional Japanese garden ☀️Cycle the Biwaichi Route: A roughly 200-kilometre path that circles the entire lake ☀️Cruise the Lake: We love to take a ride on The Michigan, a paddle steamer that’s been running out of Otsu Port since the 1980s ☀️Paddle Past the Torii at Shirahige Shrine: See the lake's most famous red torii gate from the water on a paddleboard or kayak ☀️Wander the Canals of Omihachiman: A smaller and quieter alternative to Kyoto’s old merchant districts ☀️Swim in the Western Shores: Is there a better way to cool off than a dip in a pristine lake with crystal clear water?#visitjapan #summerinjapan #hiddenjapan #localjapan #daytripfromkyoto #japantrip
If you are traveling this month, these are the biggest summer events you have to catch! 🤩👉 Akita Kanto Matsuri  Kanto Oodori, Akita City Akita August 3 – August 6, 2026👉 Aomori Nebuta Matsuri  Central Aomori City Aomori August 2 – August 7, 2026 (Ongoing)👉 Sendai Tanabata Matsuri  Central Sendai & Arcade Streets Miyagi August 6 – August 8, 2026 (Fireworks eve: August 5)👉 Yosakoi Matsuri Central Kochi City Kochi August 9 – August 12, 2026👉 Awa Odori Tokushima City Tokushima August 11 – August 15, 2026👉 Gozan no Okuribi / Daimonji  Mt. Daimonji and Surrounding Peaks Kyoto August 16, 2026#matsuri #japantravel #japansummer #japanevents #japantraveltips
‼️ Please note that the event details are subject to change. Please always refer to the official pages for the latest information. ‼️👉 Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival 神宮外苑花火大会 Meiji Jingu Gaien 明治神宮外苑内 Shinjuku, Tokyo August 8th👉 Hachioji Matsuri 八王子まつり Koshu Kaido and surroundings 甲州街道とその周辺 Hachioji, Tokyo August 7th - 9th👉 Kanda Myojin Noryo Matsuri 神田明神納涼祭り Kanda Myojin 神田明神 Chiyoda, Tokyo August 7th - 9th👉 Asagaya Tanabata Festival 阿佐谷七夕まつり Asagaya Pearl Center Shopping Street 阿佐谷パールセンター商店街 Suginami, Tokyo August 7th - 11th👉 Tokyo Star Sky and Light Summer Festival 東京 星空と光の夏祭り Showa Kinen Park 国営昭和記念公園 Tachikawa, Tokyo August 8th - 16th👉 49th Okutama Noryo Fireworks Festival 第49回奥多摩納涼花火大会 Around Okutama Station 奥多摩駅周辺 Okutama, Tokyo August 8th👉 Fussa Tanabata Matsuri 福生七夕まつり Around Fussa Station West Exit 福生駅西口周辺 Fussa, Tokyo August 7th - 9th👉 Izu Oshima Summer Festival 伊豆大島夏まつり Motomachi Port Pier 元町港桟橋 Oshima, Tokyo August 8th👉 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Bonbori Matsuri 鶴岡八幡宮 ぼんぼり祭 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu 鶴岡八幡宮 Kamakura, Kanagawa August 6th - 9th👉 Ashinoko Summer Festival Week Fireworks Display 芦ノ湖夏まつりウィーク 花火大会 Lake Ashi Shores (Hakone-machi Bay) 芦ノ湖湖畔（箱根町湾上） Hakone, Kanagawa August 5th👉 Miura Kaigan Noryo Matsuri Fireworks Display 三浦海岸納涼まつり花火大会 Miura Kaigan Beach 三浦海岸海水浴場 Miura, Kanagawa August 7th👉 74th Kumagaya Fireworks Festival 第74回熊谷花火大会 Arakawa Riverbed (Downstream of Arakawa Bridge) 荒川河川敷（荒川大橋下流） Kumagaya, Saitama August 8th👉 Kamifukuoka Tanabata Matsuri 上福岡七夕まつり Kamifukuoka Station Surroundings 上福岡駅周辺 Fujimino, Saitama August 8th - 9th👉 Yaegaki Shrine Gion Festival 八重垣神社祇園祭 Yaegaki Shrine and surrounding areas 八重垣神社および周辺地域 Sosa, Chiba August 4th - 5th👉 Asahi City Tanabata Citizen Festival 旭市七夕市民まつり Central Shopping District Surroundings 中央商店街周辺 Asahi, Chiba August 6th - 7th#tokyonow #matsuri #japanfestival #japanesefestivals #tokyolife #tokyoevent #tokyoevents #tokyolifestyle #japanlife #japanlifestyle #traveljapan #visitjapan #visitjapanjp #discovertokyo #exploretokyo #exploringtokyo #livingintokyo #tokyolife #tokyoculture #tokyoevent #tokyoevents #tokyoexpat #tokyolover #tokyotokyo #tokyotravel #tokyotrip #tokyotrips #japantravelguide #japanguide #japantravel
I stumbled upon this adorable 🌸 kimono-patterned vending machine and couldn’t resist checking it out. Instead of drinks, it’s filled with little handmade treasures — coasters 🥢, hair ties 🎀, and brooches 💮 — all for just 200 yen each 😍💖These pieces are crafted by Uemata Tatami Industry (有限会社上又畳産業), a traditional tatami maker 🪵 based near Mount Hiei ⛰️ and Enryaku-ji Temple ⛩️ in Shiga Prefecture. Known for their authentic, high-quality tatami mats and stylish mini tatami 🏠, they’ve also expanded into creating these charming kimono-patterned accessories. 🌸✨It’s such a fun and unique way to take home a tiny piece of Japanese craftsmanship… and honestly, how could you resist? 🎀💫📍 near Enryaku-ji Temple, ShigaWould you grab one of these for yourself? 👀✨#shigaprefecture #enryakuji #japancrafts #vendingmachine #japanesefood
Japan’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Biwa is surrounded by lush mountains 🏞️, charming towns, and centuries-old shrines and temples ⛩️Whether you’re cycling along its scenic shores 🚴‍♀️, cruising on the water 🚤, or soaking in a lakeside onsen ♨️, the area offers a perfect blend of nature, culture, and relaxation 🌿In summer, Lake Biwa becomes a paradise for water sports 🏄‍♂️ and festivals 🎆, while autumn brings fiery foliage reflecting across the lake 🍁Year-round, Shiga’s local cuisine—like funazushi (fermented sushi) and fresh lake fish 🐟—offers a taste you won’t find anywhere else in Japan ✨If you’re visiting Kyoto or Osaka, don’t miss the chance to slow down and discover this hidden gem just next door 🌸💫🙋‍♀️ Would you add Lake Biwa to your Japan bucket list? 💙🌊#shigaprefecture #lakebiwa #kyotodaytrip #hiddenjapan #japantravel
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