Festivals
Every guide in this section is first-hand — honest notes on what is actually worth your time in Nagoya and Central Japan.
Gifu Nobunaga Festival 2026: Dates, the Samurai Parade and How to Go
The Gifu Nobunaga Festival (ぎふ信長まつり) is Gifu City's big autumn festival, held on 7 and 8 November 2026, 10:00 to 16:00, across the city centre. Its centrepiece is the Nobunaga mounted samurai parade on Sunday 8 November. Entry is free, and the venue starts immediately outside Gifu Station.
Mino Washi Akari Art Exhibition 2026: Dates & Access
The Mino Washi Akari Art Exhibition 2026 lights Mino's preserved merchant streets in Gifu from 11 October to 30 November. Viewing is free, works glow from 17:00 to 21:00, and Saturday 17 October is the one day the acrylic cases come off in fair weather. Verified from official sources on 15 August 2026.
Koromo Matsuri 2026: Toyota’s Eight Floats and a Storm of Confetti
Koromo Matsuri (挙母祭り) is the autumn festival of Koromo Shrine in Toyota, Aichi, held on 17–18 October 2026. Eight prefecturally designated floats weighing four to five tonnes are hauled through the streets under a blizzard of confetti, and eight towns circle the shrine seven times on the Saturday night.
Nagoya Minato Matsuri Fireworks 2026: Cancelled, and What Happens Next
The 2026 Nagoya Minato Matsuri fireworks were cancelled for the Asian Games. What did happen on July 20, what returns in 2027, and how the port night works.
Atsuta Matsuri 2027: Nagoya’s Summer-Opening Festival at Atsuta Jingu
Atsuta Matsuri is on June 5 every year - next Saturday, June 5, 2027. Fireworks, kento makiwara lanterns, stalls on the 4th and 5th, and access from Nagoya.
Owari Tsushima Tenno Festival 2026: Lantern Boats on the Tenno River
Owari Tsushima Tenno Festival: 500 lanterns per boat on the Tenno River, the 2026 recap, when 2027 dates land, and how to get there from Nagoya. Verified.
Inuyama Festival: Japan’s 13 Karakuri Floats, Explained
Inuyama Festival in Aichi: 13 three-tier floats, karakuri puppets and lantern-lit night processions. 2026 recap, the 2027 date rule and access from Nagoya.
Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri 2027: Japan’s Naked Man Festival Near Nagoya
Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri 2027 falls on February 19 in Inazawa, Aichi. Thousands of near-naked men, one shin-otoko, and a 4-tonne rice cake. Dates, access, tips.
Gujo Odori 2026: Dates, All-Night Dancing and How to Join In
Gujo Odori 2026 runs 11 July-5 September across 30 nights in Gujo Hachiman, Gifu, with all-night dancing 13-16 August. Dates, hours, access and how to join.
Osu Daido Machinin Matsuri 2026: Nagoya’s Street Performers’ Festival
Nagoya's Osu shopping street becomes the stage every October. 2026 dates, the oiran procession, access from Kamimaezu, rain policy and what's unannounced.