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List of Canceled Events in Japan Due to the Coronavirus

The Yokohama Pikachu Outbreak and Aomori Nebuta Festival have been canceled for 2020 while the Edo River Fireworks have been postponed.

By 2 min read

Summer in Japan is all about watermelon smashing, kakigori, ice cold chu-hi, bon dancing, and yukata—to name a few, with summer festivals being the go-to place to experience all of it at once! Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, many matsuri and other major events in Japan have been given the cut from this year’s summer lineup.

In order for other future events to go forth, now is the most crucial time to take care of your health and protect others. Do this by washing your hands with soap and water (which you should be doing anyway), wearing a mask, and maintaining social distancing.

Here’s a list of major events in Japan that will be canceled until further notice.

Around Tokyo

No dancing at the Koenji Awa Odori Festival this year.

Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival

Originally scheduled for June 1-20

Sanno Festival

Originally scheduled for June 17

Fussa Tanabata Festival

Originally scheduled for July 2-4

Shitamachi Tanabata Festival

Originally scheduled for July 2-7

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata

Originally scheduled for July 3-5

Kanagawa Yamato Awa Odori

Originally scheduled for July 11-12

Mitama Festival

Originally scheduled for July 13-16

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Originally scheduled for July 25

Yokohama Pikachu Outbreak 

Originally scheduled for August 4-10

Summer Comiket

Originally scheduled for August 7-10

Rock In Japan Festival 2020

Originally scheduled for August 8-10

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival

Originally scheduled for August 9-13

Asagaya Tanabata Festival

Originally scheduled for August 13-17

Azabujuban Noryo Matsuri

Originally scheduled for August 22-23

Koenji Awa Odori Festival

Originally scheduled for August 22-23

Osaka, Kyoto

The Gion Festival usually lasts the entire month of July and features many different kinds of events and sub-festivals.

Kyoto Gion Festival

Originally scheduled for July 1-30

Osaka Tenjin Matsuri

Originally scheduled for July 24-25

Shizuoka, Niigata, Yamanashi

Photo:
For festival diehards, it may be sad to note that Fuji Rock has been canceled for 2020.

Shimizu Tanabata Festival

Originally scheduled for July 2-5

Yahiko Fire Festival

Originally scheduled for July 24-26

Nagaoka Fireworks Festival

Originally scheduled for August 2-3

Fuji Rock Festival 2020

Originally scheduled for August 21-23

Yoshida Fire Festival

Originally scheduled for August 26-27

Fukuoka, Yamaguchi, Kochi, Tokushima

Usually, the streets of Kochi come alive when dance troupes from around the country descend for their Yosakoi Festival.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa 

Originally scheduled for July 1-15

Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Festival

Originally scheduled from July 31 through August 5

Kochi Yosakoi Festival

Originally scheduled for August 9-12

Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival

Originally scheduled for August 13

Tokushima Awa Odori Festival

Originally scheduled for August 12-15

Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Miyagi

Photo:
The demon fireworks of Noboribetsu.

Noboribetsu Demon Fireworks 

Originally scheduled from June 1 through July

Nebuta Festival

Originally scheduled for August 2-7

Akita Kanto Festival

Originally scheduled for August 3-6

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Originally scheduled for August 6-8

Events that have been rescheduled

Tokyo Game Show 2020 has been rescheduled into an online event in September.

This long list of canceled events has probably got you feeling blue, so here are a few events that will be taking place this year either online or later than originally scheduled.

Fukuroi Enshu Fireworks Festival

Re-scheduled for July 4

Sado Island Earth Celebration

Scheduled for August 21-23

Tokyo Game Show 2020

Re-scheduled for September 24-27 as an online event

Edogawa Fireworks Festival

Re-scheduled for October 24

Are there any other major events in Japan you’ve heard are canceled that we didn’t list? Let us know in the comments!

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