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
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
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
Originally scheduled for August 22-23
Osaka, Kyoto
Originally scheduled for July 1-30
Originally scheduled for July 24-25
Shizuoka, Niigata, Yamanashi
Photo: Masami MunekawaOriginally scheduled for July 2-5
Originally scheduled for July 24-26
Originally scheduled for August 2-3
Originally scheduled for August 21-23
Originally scheduled for August 26-27
Fukuoka, Yamaguchi, Kochi, Tokushima
Originally scheduled for July 1-15
Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Festival
Originally scheduled from July 31 through August 5
Originally scheduled for August 9-12
Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival
Originally scheduled for August 13
Originally scheduled for August 12-15
Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Miyagi
Photo: Melissa LarkinsOriginally scheduled from June 1 through July
Originally scheduled for August 2-7
Akita Kanto Festival
Originally scheduled for August 3-6
Originally scheduled for August 6-8
Events that have been rescheduled
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
Scheduled for August 21-23
Re-scheduled for September 24-27 as an online event
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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