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Japan Festivals 2026: The Complete Calendar — Matsuri, Music, Beer, Fire and Everything Else
GUIDE

Japan Festivals 2026: The Complete Calendar — Matsuri, Music, Beer, Fire and Everything Else

Japan runs 200,000 festivals a year. Most visitors know three. This is the rest of the calendar — ancient fire rituals, naked men in winter, the world's most beautiful float processions, outdoor music in the mountains, Belgian beer in Osaka, and a laughing festival in the hills of Wakayama.

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Cherry Blossom Season in Japan: The Events Nobody Tells You About
SEASONAL GUIDE

Cherry Blossom Season in Japan: The Events Nobody Tells You About

Everyone knows about hanami. Here is what actually happens during cherry blossom season — the festivals, the crowds, the logistics, and the events worth planning around.

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Golden Week Japan 2026 — Events & Festivals
SEASONAL GUIDE

Golden Week Japan 2026 — Events & Festivals

Golden Week is Japan's biggest holiday stretch — April 29 to May 5. Here's everything happening across the country and how to make the most of it.

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Planning a Trip to Japan's Art Islands: Naoshima, Teshima, Inujima
GUIDE

Planning a Trip to Japan's Art Islands: Naoshima, Teshima, Inujima

The Seto Inland Sea contains three islands — Naoshima, Teshima, and Inujima — where contemporary art has been built into fishing villages, abandoned factories, and terraced hillsides. This is not a museum district. The works are embedded in the landscape. Ferry schedules determine your day. Here is how to plan it properly.

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The Sumo Calendar: How to Watch Grand Sumo in Japan, Get Tickets, and Understand What You're Seeing
GUIDE

The Sumo Calendar: How to Watch Grand Sumo in Japan, Get Tickets, and Understand What You're Seeing

Six tournaments a year. Fifteen days each. Two yokozuna, a Ukrainian ozeki on a historic winning streak, and a ranking system that turns every bout into something with genuine consequences. This is how sumo works, where to watch it, and how to get tickets before they sell out.

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Obon 2026: The Complete Guide to Japan's Festival of the Dead
SEASONAL GUIDE

Obon 2026: The Complete Guide to Japan's Festival of the Dead

Every August, Japan transforms. Families reunite, lanterns float on rivers, and communities dance through the night to welcome back the spirits of their ancestors. Here is everything you need to know.

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A First-Timer's Guide to Watching Kabuki in Japan
GUIDE

A First-Timer's Guide to Watching Kabuki in Japan

Kabuki is four centuries old, performed entirely by men, and completely accessible to first-time visitors with minimal preparation. This guide covers Japan's major theatres, how programmes work, what to watch, how to buy tickets — and what the record-breaking film Kokuho revealed about the world behind the stage.

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