Calendar · 2026-08
August 2026 — Nebuta, Awa Odori, Obon and summer fireworks
Past-month archive. Dates and conditions here refer to 2026-08; they are not announcements for the next season. Check the linked organisers for current plans.
August combines major festivals with Obon family travel. It is a busy period, but there is no blanket rule against travelling on August 11–16. Choose a specific event, reserve important transport and accommodation, and check the organiser’s access plan. This archive records the 2026 season.
Events
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2026-08-02 to 2026-08-07
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
Aomori City, Tohoku
Aomori’s August 2–7 festival centres on illuminated floats and haneto dancers. JNTO identifies it as one of Tohoku’s major August festivals. The daily programme differs, so check the organiser’s parade and seating information for the particular day rather than assuming the same evening event throughout.
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2026-08-12 to 2026-08-15
Awa Odori (dance festival)
Tokushima City, Shikoku
The 2026 organiser listed August 12–15 for the main Tokushima programme, with additional events on August 11. Dance groups called ren perform at different venues; seating, tickets and opportunities to join require the relevant event’s own instructions.
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2026-08-13 to 2026-08-16
Obon observances and family travel
Many regions; observance dates differ
Obon welcomes the spirits of deceased relatives. JNTO describes August 13–16 as a typical period and warns that important transport and accommodation can book out. Customs and dates differ by region; these four days are not a uniform national-holiday block. Check reservations and individual business closures rather than assuming travel is impossible.
More info ↗ -
2026-08-16
Gozan no Okuribi (Daimonji bonfires)
Kyoto
Kyoto’s August 16 religious observance sends off ancestral spirits with hillside fires in characters and the shapes of a boat and a torii gate. Use the official Kyoto guide for viewing locations and respect the mountain access restrictions.
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2026-08-02 to 2026-08-03
Nagaoka fireworks
Shinano River, Nagaoka, Niigata
Nagaoka City records the 2026 fireworks on August 2 and 3, 19:20–21:10, along the Shinano River. Its programme includes fireworks associated with remembrance and recovery. Tickets, traffic restrictions and post-event transport need to be checked for the particular year.
More info ↗