Gaido Japan

Ushio Bairin Plum Festival
2023-02-26 10:00 - 2023-03-05 16:00 (Asia/Tokyo)
Discover the Beauty of Ushio Bairin Plum Festival in Saga Prefecture
If you’re looking for a way to welcome spring, then make sure to visit the Ushio Bairin Plum Festival in Saga Prefecture. This annual event takes place from mid-February to early March and is a fantastic way to experience the beauty of nature in Japan.
The plum garden at Ushio Bairin is considered to be the oldest spot for fruit cultivation in Saga Prefecture, and it’s easy to see why. With over 10,000 plum trees, the hillside is transformed into a stunning landscape of pink and white blossoms. It’s a feast for the eyes, and the sweet perfume of the flowers only adds to the experience.
The festival is free to enter, so there’s no excuse not to check it out. Take a stroll through the gardens and marvel at the different varieties of plum trees, each with their own unique beauty. You might even be lucky enough to spot some early cherry blossoms blooming nearby.
Besides enjoying the natural beauty of the plum garden, the festival also offers various food stalls and local crafts for sale. Indulge in some local specialties like umeboshi (pickled plums) or enjoy some freshly grilled seafood. You can even take home some souvenirs to remember your visit.
Overall, the Ushio Bairin Plum Festival is a must-see event for anyone who loves nature, food, or both. Don’t miss your chance to experience the beauty of spring in Saga Prefecture.

teamLab and Turandot
2023-02-23 00:00 - 2023-02-26 00:00
TeamLab, in collaboration with stage director Daniel Kramer, has created a new production of the unfinished opera Turandot by Giacomo Puccini. This innovative performance incorporates light sculptures and digital art, creating a unique and immersive experience for the audience. The stage features rotating sides made of acrylic and glass, reflective surfaces, and a combination of soft white and stretchy black materials, allowing for stunning reflections and enhancing the futuristic and dystopian vibes. The production debuted in Geneva, Switzerland in June 2022 and features a live orchestra and three-dimensional light structures that add intensity and calmness to each scene. This opera embodies the spirit of teamLab and its commitment to breaking down boundaries and doing the unthinkable in the world of art and performance.

Surprise Hina-doll Festival
2023-02-17 10:00 - 2023-03-04 21:00
The ‘Bikkuri Hinamatsuri’ or ‘Surprise Hina-doll Festival’ is a celebration of the traditions surrounding hina-dolls, also known as ‘Girl’s Day’, held on March 3rd. The festival originated from ceremonies held at shrines and at the Emperor’s court in ancient times, especially for newborn babies. Initially, the hina-dolls were simple paper objects shaped like humans and used to remove bad spirits believed to cause illnesses and bad luck to babies. However, over time, the dolls became more decorative and gorgeous and are now treated as lucky charms and displayed at home. A set of hina-dolls, consisting of an Emperor and Empress, female attendants, musicians, officials of the Inner Palace Guard, and footmen, is usually given to a newborn girl as part of her first Hina-doll celebration.
The Bikkuri Hinamatsuri festival is held annually in Konosu City, a historical doll-making area, and lasts for about three weeks. Visitors can take part in and see some of Japan’s highest pyramid-shaped exhibits at various displays throughout the city, including Elumi Konosu Shopping Mall. Each site holds a unique series of events, including markets, workshops, and a variety of performances. On weekends (except March 2nd), free shuttle buses are operated to and from these sites. More information about the festival can be found on the executive committee’s homepage (in Japanese).

The Kakunodate Blaze and Snow Celebration
2023-02-14 18:00 - 20:00
Every February 14th, the chilly winter in the samurai district of Kakunodate transforms into a vibrant celebration of fire and snow. The Kakunodate Fire and Snow Festival (Hiburi Kamakura) lights up the town as locations become aglow with bonfires and participants swinging fireballs overhead. Although the festival has roots in a purification ritual, it has evolved into a community gathering where people catch up with neighbors and friends. Despite its off-the-beaten-path reputation, the festival attracts both domestic travelers and international visitors. If you’re brave enough to endure the town’s heavy snow, you’ll be rewarded with an intimate, uncrowded festival. The festival is locally driven, with groups of old friends, coworkers, or sports teams setting up bonfires throughout the town. During the festival, participants dip their rice straw balls into the fire, then swing them overhead by a rope, creating a mesmerizing display of fire and light. Participants and visitors alike are encouraged to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience, building a sense of community and camaraderie. If you’re looking for more winter festivals in Akita, don’t miss the Kamakura Festival in nearby Yokote City.

Shimmering Nights at Cocoon City: A Joyful Festival of Lights
2023-02-12 17:00 - 2023-02-14 23:00
From November to Valentine’s Day, the Cocoon City mall in Saitama city transforms into a winter wonderland, shining bright with its iconic illumination event. Every evening, the lights switch on at 5 pm, except for the opening night where the festivities begin at 5:30 pm and continue until 11 pm.
Not only is Cocoon City a prime location for holiday shopping, but it also offers an array of festive activities throughout the illumination period. The highlight of the event is their mesmerizing Christmas tree that changes hues periodically, surrounded by moving stars created through projection mapping. Visitors can also marvel at the various displays and features across the three buildings of the mall.
Located near Saitama Shintoshin, Cocoon City is easily accessible and in close proximity to another night illumination event. So come and experience the magic of Cocoon City, where the nights are filled with joy and the mall shines brighter than ever before.

Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival
2023-02-11 10:00 - 2023-03-05 16:00
The first signs of spring in Tokyo are the blooming of plum blossoms, also known as ume. Hanegi Park in Setagaya hosts an annual plum blossom festival where visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of 650 plum trees, including 230 red plum and 420 white plum varieties. The festival also offers traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, amazake tasting, and hands-on art and craft activities. Food booths are available on-site. Even outside of the plum blossom season, the park is adorned with cherry blossom trees and azalea bushes, making it a great destination for a springtime visit. It is worth noting that the festival dates may vary slightly from year to year, but generally take place from the first week of February to the first week of March.

The Japan International Orchid and Bloom Exhibition
2023-02-08 10:00 - 2023-02-14 18:00
Established in 1991, the Japan Grand Prix International Orchid and Flower Show has evolved into one of the largest floral extravaganzas in the world, with a strong emphasis on orchids. Over the course of eight days, more than 1000 exhibitors will showcase their magnificent blooms. In addition to the diverse array of flora on display, the Flower Café and Bar offers visitors the opportunity to savor original floral-infused delicacies and drinks. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the flower show, and as a celebration, a stunning installation of one million orchid flowers will be on display, adding to the festivities.

Cirque Du Soleil Alegría
2023-02-08 00:00 - 2023-06-25 00:00
Alegría, a mesmerizing show by Cirque du Soleil, takes the audience on a surreal journey through acrobatics, music, and dance. Since its premiere in 1994, the show has traveled to over 250 cities worldwide, featuring stunning costumes, dazzling visuals, and jaw-dropping displays of human strength and agility. The show will be running in Tokyo until late June and then in Osaka from mid-July until early October. Ticket prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating section chosen. For more information on pricing and how to make reservations, please visit the official event website.

Night Sakura Sea of Clouds at Hotel Chinzanso
2023-02-08 00:00 - 2023-04-09 00:00
Tokyo’s Hotel Chinzanso welcomes the arrival of spring with kawazuzakura blossoms in February, followed by other variants like shuzenji-kanzakura, and even late-blooming types that peak in April, providing visitors with a significant window to appreciate the beauty of the blossoms. A special after-dark event called Night Sakura – Sea of Clouds is being held in the garden until April 9th, where attendees can enjoy the stunning blooms illuminated after sunset, surrounded by whimsical clouds that add to the magical atmosphere. Admission to the hotel’s gardens is free, making it a perfect and cost-effective activity for this spring. Don’t miss the chance to witness the captivating beauty of the Night Sakura – Sea of Clouds event at Hotel Chinzanso’s garden!

Taylor Swift Eras Tour
2023-02-07 - 2023-02-10
Taylor Swift, a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, has enthralled numerous fans in the United States with her Eras Tour. This tour is aptly described as a musical journey through the various eras of her career. Spanning until mid-2024, the tour will grace different parts of the world, including Japan, where four shows are scheduled to take place at the Tokyo Dome.
The Tokyo leg of the Eras Tour is scheduled to run from Wednesday, February 7th, until Saturday, February 10th. For more information on ticket sales, you can visit the official website, where English language option is available at the bottom of the page. Ticket prices for the tour start at ¥8800.
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Japanese plum blossoms at Kishu Ishigami
2023-02-04 09:00 - 2023-03-05 17:00
Experience the stunning beauty of Japanese plum blossoms at Kishu Ishigami Tanabe Ume Orchards in Wakayama Prefecture. With over 300,000 ume trees in full bloom, the orchards offer a breathtaking view that stretches all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The blossoms, which signal the beginning of the Lunar New Year and the start of spring, make for a perfect setting for a picnic with bento boxes and drinks. Although the orchards will be closed to visitors in 2021 due to the pandemic, you can still enjoy photos of the stunning scenery and look forward to visiting in the future. Don’t forget to dress warmly for your visit!

Odawara Flower Garden Plum Festival
2023-01-28 09:00 - 2023-03-05 17:00
The Odawara Flower Garden, established in 1995, is a must-visit destination for floral enthusiasts. With a variety of seasonal blooms, the garden is particularly popular during the plum tree blossoming season. An annual festival is held during this time, offering visitors the chance to admire hundreds of different plum tree varieties, including early, mid, and late-blooming types. Along with the beautiful blossoms, the festival features several other exciting activities. Guests can enjoy guided tours where garden staff explain the different varieties found on the grounds, a plant-dyeing craft event, a limited-time menu of plum-inspired food, and much more.
Among the special menu items at the garden is plum soba, available for ¥600. Admission to the garden is free, but those wishing to explore the tropical greenhouse must pay a fee of ¥200.

Nanrakuen Plum Festival
2023-01-28 09:00 - 2023-03-05 17:00
Nanrakuen Garden in Ehime hosts a plum festival annually from late January to early March. This event celebrates the beauty of around 160 plum trees in full bloom. Visitors can enjoy free plum tea, amazake, and zenzai during the festival, as well as purchase plants and flowers. For those who can’t make it during the plum season, there are other flower events held throughout the year such as sakura, azalea, and iris festivals. Admission to the park is 310 yen for adults and 150 yen for school-aged students and seniors aged 65 and above.

KYOTO STEAM
2023-01-27 - 2023-02-15
The KYOTO STEAM festival offers a one-of-a-kind blend of art and cultural events that delve into the interplay between art and science. Held annually in March in Okazaki, Kyoto, the festival showcases a diverse range of exhibitions suitable for all ages, guaranteed to leave you with lasting memories.

Atami Plum Garden Festival in Shizuoka
2023-01-07 08:30 - 2023-03-05 16:00
The Atami Plum Garden in Shizuoka is famous for its early-blooming plum trees, and visitors can enjoy the sight of close to 500 trees in 59 different varieties during the annual plum festival. With early, mid, and late-blooming trees, there is always something in bloom during the festival period which runs from mid-February to mid-March. Admission to the garden during the festival is priced at 300 yen for adults, and free for junior high school students and younger children.

Hitsujigaoka Snow Park event!
2023-01-06 10:00 - 2023-03-05 15:00
Looking for a fun winter activity that the whole family can enjoy? Consider checking out the Hitsujigaoka Snow Park event! This event has been held annually since 2004 and offers a variety of ways to play in the snow. There’s an 80-meter-long snow tubing course, ski walking, snowman building, and even snow strider bike riding for younger kids. Best of all, all of the activities and equipment rentals are free of charge, so it’s a budget-friendly option for a day out. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Kitain Temple Daruma Market
2023-01-03 09:00 - 17:00
A daruma doll is a hollow wooden round-shaped face with a beard. Most commonly they are red in color. When bought new, they have no eyes painted in. You paint one eye on receiving or buying the doll while making a promise to yourself, a New Year’s resolution as such. When you have completed the resolution, you paint the other eye. Every year on January 3rd, several temples around Japan have a Daruma doll market. People come to buy a new Daruma doll for the New Year. The Daruma doll has become one of several symbols of the New Year. It is also a symbol of perseverance. In Saitama Prefecture, one of the better-known Daruma Doll Markets is at Kitain Temple in Kawagoe city. Dozens of daruma doll vendors set up booths along the east side of the temple grounds, on the path that leads to Naritasan Temple. When somebody buys one of the larger-sized daruma dolls they ring out bells and the crowd explodes in simultaneous cheer. It is one of several New Year festivities held at Kitain Temple annually. * Unfortunately, this event has been canceled this year in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Hanamaki Souminsai
2023-01-02 08:30 - 13:00 | Koshio Shrine, 3-153 Yasawa, Hanamaki, Iwate prefecture, Koshio Shrine, 3-153 Yasawa, Hanamaki, Iwate prefecture, Hanamaki, Iwate, Japan
The Hanamaki Souminsai is held every year on January 2nd at the Koshio shrine on Mount Koshio. It’s a purification festival for the new year, it starts by making mochi (rice cake) and getting blessings from the local Shinto priest. After that, the participants walk up the mountain holding a torch and a blessing in their mouths to give them more determination. Hanamaki Souminsai in video The event finishes with the participants fighting over a pouch, a good luck bag. The fight can last over an hour and is extremely fierce, many participants end up badly bruised. The winner is said to have a prosperous year.

New Year at Kanasana Shrine
2023-01-01 08:00 - 2023-01-03 17:00
Kanasana Shrine is a 1900-year-old shrine in Saitama. It is a unique shrine in that it venerates the mountain rather than a religious artifact like most other shrines. The shrine is located in the mountain town of Kamikawa in Saitama Prefecture but on the border of Gunma Prefecture. Within Saitama, it is one of the most famous places for ‘hatsumode’. The shrine is quiet for most of the year, but at New Year, it attracts thousands of visitors. People come to the shrine for “hatsumode”, the first worship of the year. The event is held annually between January 1st and 3rd. It is particularly busy on the 3rd because the nearby Daiko Fushoji Temple holds a Daruma market. The shrine normally opens from 9 am to 4 pm, but for the New Year period, the extended hours are from 8 am to 5 pm.

Daffodil Festival
2023-01-01 - 2023-01-18
Gongendo Park is renowned for its picturesque cherry blossom and rapeseed landscapes. However, the park also boasts an array of seasonal flowers that bloom throughout the year. During January and early February, you can witness over half a million daffodils in full bloom, standing amidst the bare Sakura trees.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the State of Emergency declared in 2021, the park’s annual daffodil festival had to be canceled. Despite this, visitors can still enjoy the beauty of daffodils. In a typical year, the festival would run from early January to mid-February, with additional events and food stalls being organized for the occasion. Additionally, there is a permanent cafe located within the park that serves refreshments, including ice cream and drinks.

Haneda's New Year Edo Festival
2023-01-01 - 2023-01-09 | Haneda Airport, Ota City, Tokyo 144-0041, Haneda Airport, Ota City, Tokyo 144-0041, Ota, Tokyo, 144-0041, Japan
To welcome the New Year, Haneda Airport is hosting a unique, unmissable event: the Haneda Edo festival, recreating the era of Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. Between January 1st and 3rd, you can enjoy different events on the theme of the Edo period. One event is the twice-daily rice cake pounding: using old-fashioned mortar and pestle you can experience Mochitsuki (pounding boiled rice into mochi). There are also must-see Samurai and Geisha shows, with a Samurai parade, choreographed swordfights, ninjas, and beautiful geisha dances in modern arrangements. Other street performers will appear around the airport: you’ll meet balloon performers, traditional lion dancers, buskers, traditional bands, and acrobatic groups. Even children can enjoy the spirit of the Edo Era through traditional craft experiences, as several workshops will be held for both adults and children. You can make some items used by the warlords of Japan, paint your own Daruma Doll, make Ninja scrolls using Japanese calligraphy, take part in a stamp rally, and even enjoy a Find the Missing Person game. In a picture corner, you can take fun photos using a full range of face panels, kimonos, and umbrellas. Then if you post the pictures on your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram profile, you can win prizes.

Hashigo-nori
2023-01-01 - 2023-01-08
Hashigo-nori is a traditional performance that attempts to pass on the techniques and methods of firemen in the Edo period. The performance is held every year on a coming-of-age day (the second Monday of January) in front of the main hall of the Ikegami Honmonji by the Omori Steeplejack Association. Don’t miss their acrobatic performances on top of a 6m bamboo ladder only supported by ground crews using hooked wooden poles. There will be guidance in English and French on the day of the event. This article originally appeared on the Ota-City.com website and is republished with permission.

Karuta Hajime New Year's Card Game
2023-01-01 - 2023-01-09 | 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-007, 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-007, Higashiyama, Kyoto, 605-007, Japan
On the 3rd of January, Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto will host the first New Year’s ‘Karuta’ card game. Women dressed in Juni-hitoe (Heian period costume) will play this old card game. Karuta was introduced to Japan by Portuguese merchants in the 16th century and became popular between the end of the 17th and the end of the 19th century. Today in Japan the game is played by about one million people: it can be played by several people together, or one-versus-one, and it is popular among families during the New Year’s holidays. Every year more than sixty tournaments of Kyogi Karuta are held in Japan, with five ranks of players. The game is played with two sets of 100 cards: one set is the “reading cards”, with a proverb written on each card, and the other set is the “playing cards”, each with a picture corresponding to one of the proverbs on the reading cards. To play the Karuta game, you have to listen to a reciter reading a proverb from one of the reading cards, then try to be the first to take the matching card from the playing cards.

Light of Hope
2023-01-01 - 2023-01-09 | 16-23 Gyoda, Saitama 361-0073, 16-23 Gyoda, Saitama 361-0073, Gyoda, Saitama, 361-0073, Japan
Each month in Gyoda City dozens of locations participate in a floral water font “hanachozu” event by displaying hanachozu at their premises. The event is called hanachozu week, but you can actually see the floral fonts for two weeks each month. During that period for one night, only three of the locations also have a light-up called Light of Hope. It is generally on the first Saturday of the month. For the Light of Hope event, Oshi Castle is lit up at night and Gyoda Hachiman and Sakitama shrines light up their floral fonts. Lights go on at dusk and stay on until 8 pm (or 8.30 pm when there are no restrictions due to the pandemic). 2022 Dates are as follows: January 15th February 5th (canceled) March 5th (canceled) April 2nd May 7th June 4th July 2nd September 3rd October 1st November 19th December 3rd

Ushiku Daibutsu New Year Events
2022-12-29 - 2023-01-08
Hatsumode is the practice of the first religious worship of the year. It is typically associated with the first visit to a shrine, but some people prefer to worship at a temple. The temple at the Ushiku big Buddha, known as a Daibutsu, is a popular New Year’s pilgrimage for many. The temple offers many attractions for those who make the journey, from near and far, to pay homage to the big Buddha over New Year. New Year’s Fireworks The New Year’s at Ushiku Daibutsu is for three days from the evening of December 31st until the afternoon of January 3rd. It starts with a countdown event to the New Year and fireworks are launched at the stroke of midnight. Fireworks are a common way to ring in the New Year in many countries, but despite fireworks being very popular in Japan, they are not common in New Year at all. Ushiku Daibutsu is one of only a few places that ring in the New Year with a fireworks display at the stroke of midnight. The fireworks illuminate the stunning 120-meter-tall Buddha – one of the three largest Buddha statues in the whole world. Free entry From January 1st to 3rd you can enter the statue for free. Inside there is a small lotus-shaped museum, a gallery of golden Buddha statues, and an observation deck at 85 meters. Entry is normally 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children just to enter the gardens. Combined with entry to the giant Buddha too it costs 800 yen for adults and 500 yen for children. This is a rare opportunity to enter both for free. Children’s events There is a small petting zoo at the back of the giant Buddha. They put on stage performances with animals a couple of times a day during the New Year period.

Legoland BricXmas
2022-12-18 10:00 - 2022-12-25 16:00
The festive season is upon us, and Legoland will be welcoming it with their Legoland BricXmas event. Running from November 13th until December 26th, the family-friendly affair will include a variety of seasonal touches including the world’s largest Lego Christmas tree (it uses 610,000 blocks and stands at a whopping 10 meters high), illuminations, Christmas photo spots, a Christmas-themed menu, and plenty more.
Along with the giant Lego Christmas tree, there will be other themed Lego decorations (Photo: Legoland Japan)
Admission prices to Legoland Japan vary depending on how far in advance you book your ticket. Pricing information can be found on the official website here.

Hagoita-Ichi Fair
2022-12-17 09:00 - 2022-12-19 21:00
Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji in Asakusa, holds an annual three-day fair called Hagoita-Ichi to sell good luck ornamental bats, called hagoita in Japanese. Dating back to Edo times, the festival takes place in front of Sensoji. From December 17th to 19th, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, 50 open-air stalls will be set up near the main hall of the temple. Hagoita is ornamental rectangular bats with a handle, modeled on those used in the traditional New Year’s game of hanetsuki, a sport quite similar to badminton. The hagoita is usually made of Japanese cedar, decorated on one side with lacquered or embroidered images. The good luck bats are traditionally decorated with images of kabuki actors, but actually these days you can find them decorated with cartoon characters, or sports, cinema, and TV stars. It is common practice for both sellers and buyers to clap their hands together when a sale is completed.

Lantern Night Osaka
2022-12-16 16:00 - 2022-12-18 20:00
Osaka’s annual Lantern Night event takes place for three days during December, with attendees able to enjoy thousands of LED lanterns coloring the night sky. Along with the colorful lanterns on display, the event also includes Christmas-themed foods, drinks, handmade items for sale, fun stage performances, and even appearances from Santa Claus to enhance the festive atmosphere. Adult admission to the event is priced at 6,500 yen which includes a LED sky lantern, and admission for children aged between 6 to 12 years is priced at 2,500 yen (no lantern is included in that price). Children aged 5 years and below receive free admission.

Kasukabe Hagoita Market
2022-12-15 - 2022-12-31
The pride of Kasukabe City is a long tradition of crafting paulownia wood furniture, baskets, and hats. But the most eye-catching craft in the city is undoubtedly the hagoita. Since the Muromachi Period, nearly 700 years ago, the hanetsuki game became popular in Japan. The game is similar to badminton. Players bat a shuttlecock back and forth as long as they can using wooden paddles called hagoita. The longer the players can keep the shuttlecock in play, the more luck they can receive in the coming year. Gradually, the hagoita became an ornamental object in the Edo Period. Oshie, a form of fabric relief sculpture, is applied to the hagoita to depict kabuki actors, celebrities, and even animated characters. The hagoita come in various sizes and are priced accordingly. Shoppers can take home an image of a warrior or kabuki actor for prosperity, or a maiden for happiness and good luck in the new year. The Kasukabe Hagoita Market also displays the other traditional crafts produced in the city, so you have a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs to choose from. If you want to learn more about hagoita and doll production or miss the market, visit the neighboring Iwatsuki Ward of Saitama City, home of the Doll History Museum.

Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri
2022-12-15 - 2022-12-18 | 160 Kasugano-cho Nara, 160 Kasugano-cho Nara, Kasugano, Nara, Japan
Traditional performing arts can be enjoyed at this annual festival held since the 12th century. Named after the Wakamiya shrine that resides in the larger Kasuga-Taisha shrine complex, this On-Matsuri was originally held to pray for a rich harvest and good health. Spanning 4 days, the main events actually take place on the 17th. Visitors can enjoy kagura performances, traditional dances and bugaku (traditional Japanese court music), considered an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government. One of the highlights is undoubtedly the ‘Jidai Gyoretsu’ (Period Procession), where 500 volunteers dressed in traditional costumes represent the successive eras from the Heian period (9th century) through to the late Edo period (19th century).
