September Events 2025 in Japan: A Comprehensive Guide

September 2025 in Japan offers a diverse array of cultural, sporting, and entertainment events as the country transitions from summer to autumn, bringing milder temperatures ideal for exploration. From thrilling traditional festivals to major international sport championships and vibrant music scenes, visitors can experience Japan’s rich heritage and modern dynamism.

Let’s have a look at the events in Japan happening in September 2025!

Traditional Festivals & Cultural Events

September is a prime month for experiencing Japan’s deeply rooted traditions and unique cultural celebrations.

Kishiwada Danjiri Festival (Osaka)

Witness this electrifying festival with main events on September 13-14, 2025, in Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture. Rehearsals are held on September 7th and 12th. Teams pull massive, intricately carved wooden floats (danjiri) at high speeds through the streets, demonstrating immense skill and community spirit. A smaller Danjiri Festival is also held October 11-12.

Tsukimi (Moon Viewing Festival)

Various locations across Japan will celebrate the autumn moon. For 2025, the full moon celebration (Jugoya) is on October 6th, and the waxing moon celebration (Jusan’ya) is on November 2nd. This ancient tradition involves appreciating the harvest moon and offering seasonal foods. Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa 2025 will also take place from September 19 to October 5.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Reitaisai Festival (Kamakura)

An ancient Shinto festival dating back over 800 years, this event in Kamakura features traditional rituals. The main festivities are scheduled annually from September 14-16, with Yabusame Shinji (mounted archery) taking place on September 16th, 2025 (Monday, holiday) at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Owara Kaze no Bon (Toyama)

Held annually from September 1-3, 2025, in Yatsuo town, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture. This three-day dancing festival is renowned for its melancholic folk songs and elegant, mysterious dances, traditionally performed to ward off typhoons and pray for a good harvest. Performances are typically from 4 PM to 12 AM on September 1-2, and 6 PM to 12 AM on September 3.

Kitazawa Hachimanjinja Shrine Festival (Tokyo)

This local neighborhood festival in Shimokitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo, is planned for September 6-7, 2025 (the first weekend of September) at Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine. It features portable shrines (omikoshi) and floats (dashi), along with food stalls, music, and dancing.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Wind Chime Festival (Saitama)

Concluding on September 7, 2025, this festival at a “love shrine” in Kawagoe, Saitama, is adorned with approximately 2,000 colorful wind chimes, creating a serene and picturesque atmosphere.

Karasuzumo ‘Crow’ Wrestling and Choyo Ritual (Kyoto)

A unique wrestling event held annually on September 9th at Kamigamo Jinja (Kamigamo Shrine) in Kyoto, where children participate in a ritual believed to bring good fortune. The ritual begins at 10 AM.

Seiryu-e Festival (Kyoto)

Scheduled for September 15, 2025, at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, this festival features a procession of a blue dragon (Seiryu), believed to be one of Kyoto’s four guardian deities. The procession typically starts around 2 PM, greeting the arrival of autumn.

Nezu Shrine Annual Grand Festival (Tokyo)

This festival is held in September. Specific dates for 2025 should be confirmed on the official website, but the 2024 festival took place on September 15th at Nezu Shrine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. It enlivens the grounds with food stalls, traditional music, dancing, and an omikoshi procession.

Yame Festival (Fukuoka)

An autumn celebration in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, from September 20-21, 2025. It coincides with the traditional “Yame Fukushima Lantern Dolls” event, featuring thousands of lanterns and a traditional karakuri puppet show.

Sports Events

September hosts significant sporting events, drawing national and international attention.

World Athletics Championships (Tokyo)

The 20th edition of this prestigious event will be held from September 13-21, 2025, at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, hosting over 2,000 athletes from approximately 200 countries across 49 track and field disciplines.

Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament (Aki Basho)

The final sumo tournament of the year in Tokyo will take place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Ryogoku, Tokyo, from September 14-28, 2025. This is a chance to witness Japan’s national sport live.

Japan Open Tennis Championships (Tokyo)

The Men’s ATP 500 tennis tournament will have qualifying rounds from September 22-23, 2025, and the main draw from September 24-30, 2025, at Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo.

Music & Entertainment

The month is vibrant with major music festivals and concerts. Fukuoka Music Month 2025 will encompass multiple events throughout the month.

Ultra Japan (Tokyo)

Japan’s premier electronic music festival celebrates its 10th anniversary on September 13-14, 2025, at the Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park, Odaiba, Tokyo, featuring renowned DJs and attracting thousands of attendees. This event has an age restriction of 18+.

Blue Note Jazz Festival in Japan (Tokyo)

This festival, featuring top artists, will be held at Ariake Arena in Tokyo from September 27-28, 2025, with headliners including Norah Jones (Sept 27) and Ne-Yo (Sept 28).

NAKASU JAZZ (Fukuoka)

A free urban jazz event held across various stages in Fukuoka’s Nakasu district on September 13-14, 2025, showcasing jazz artists from Japan and abroad. Free admission.

BAYFES (Fukuoka)

A lively event at Bayside Place Hakata, Fukuoka, from September 5-7, 2025, featuring live music, art exhibitions, food trucks, and family-friendly attractions. Entry is free. Other Fukuoka Music Month events include Isla de Salsa on September 20th at Nokonoshima Camp Village, Sing! HAKATA on September 20th-21st at JR Hakata Station Square, and MUSIC CITY TENJIN on September 27th-28th in the Tenjin district.

Rock In Japan Festival 2025

This major music festival will span nine days from September 13-21, 2025, at Soga Sports Park in Chiba City.

Concerts by Various Artists

Numerous concerts are scheduled throughout September 2025, including: The Rampage from Exile Tribe (Sept 1, Wakayama), tricot (Sept 1, Tokyo), YOASOBI (Sept 2, Niigata – part of “WANDARA” tour), You Yokoyama (SUPER EIGHT) (Sept 2, Fukuoka), ILLIT (Sept 3-4, Osaka-Jo Hall), UVERworld (Sept 5, Kashiwa), Cho Tokimeki ♡ Sendenbu (Sept 6, Nagoya), Baekhyun (EXO) (Sept 13, Chofu), ONE OK ROCK (Sept 13, Osaka), Taemin (Sept 15, Yokohama), Muse (Sept 23, Osaka; Sept 25, K-Arena Yokohama, Tokyo), Norah Jones (Sept 25, Osaka; Sept 27, Ariake Arena, Tokyo), LiSA (Sept 27, Sun City Koshigaya), WINNER (Sept 28 and 30, Tokyo – Tachikawa Stage Garden, and Kobe – Kōbe International House – International Hall). WayV is also expected to perform in Osaka (Asue Arena Osaka) and Nagoya (Port Messe Nagoya Exhibition Hall 1). The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will hold September Subscription Concerts on Sept 11 (Suntory Hall), Sept 12 (Tokyo Opera City), and Sept 14 (Bunkamura Orchard Hall). TWICE’s “THIS IS FOR” WORLD TOUR will be at Tokyo Dome on September 16-17, 2025, with other Japan dates in Osaka (July 26-27), Aichi (August 23-24), and Fukuoka (August 30-31). Red Velvet – IRENE & SEULGI’s “2025 IRENE & SEULGI Concert Tour [BALANCE]” will take place in Tokyo on September 24-25, 2025, at Tokyo Garden Theater.

Fireworks Displays

Several cities host spectacular fireworks shows, illuminating the autumn sky.

Chofu City Fireworks Festival (Tokyo)

Scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 6:15 PM-7:15 PM (opening at 6 PM) along the Tama River in Chofu City, Tokyo. This event releases approximately 10,000 fireworks, synchronized to music.

Iizuka Noryo Fireworks Festival (Fukuoka)

Scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2025 (postponed to Sept 26th if inclement weather) from 8 PM to 9:10 PM at Nakanoshima in the Onga River, Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, featuring about 5,000 fireworks, including musical fireworks and large shakudama shells.

Kita-ku Fireworks Festival (Tokyo)

An impressive display with 8,888 fireworks launched over the Arakawa Riverside in Kita-ku, Tokyo, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 6:30 PM-7:30 PM. Free viewing is available, with paid seating options.

Numata Fireworks Festival (Gunma)

Known for synchronizing music and fireworks, this free festival is held on Saturday, September 13, 2025. The fireworks display is from 7 PM-7:45 PM, with the overall event running from 4 PM-7:45 PM at Numata City Sports Park, Numata City, Gunma Prefecture.

Exhibitions & Other Events

September also features a range of exhibitions and unique gatherings.

Ghibli 3D Sculpture Exhibition (Tokyo)

An exhibition dedicated to Ghibli 3D sculptures, running from May 27-September 23, 2025, at Warehouse Terrada B&C Hall / E Hall in Tennozu, Tokyo.

Cosmos Flower Festival (Tokyo)

A festival celebrating cosmos flowers, which typically bloom from mid-September to late October. The 2024 festival was from September 14-October 20, 2024, with 2025 dates expected to be similar. The main location is Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa City, Tokyo.

Red Spider Lily Festival (Saitama)

Festivals dedicated to red spider lilies (Higanbana). The Kinchakuda Manjushage Park festival typically runs from mid-September to early October (2024: Sept 18-Oct 2), with an entrance fee of ¥500. Satte Gongendo Park generally hosts its festival from late September to early October (2024: Sept 21-Oct 6), with free admission.

Sapporo Autumn Food Fest 2025

A food festival in Sapporo from Friday, September 12, to Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Odori Park, Sapporo, Hokkaido, showcasing Hokkaido’s agricultural and seafood products. Admission is free, with food and drinks available for purchase.

Heiwajima Antique Fair (Tokyo)

One of Japan’s largest and oldest antique fairs, held multiple times a year, including September 12-14, 2025, at Heiwajima Tokyo Ryutsu Center Bldg., Ota-ku, Tokyo. It attracts several hundred dealers and offers free entry.

NEPCON JAPAN [September] (Makuhari Messe, Chiba)

Asia’s leading electronics R&D and manufacturing exhibition, from September 17-19, 2025, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, featuring forums on advanced materials and generative AI. Free admission upon online registration.

Measuring Technology Expo 2025 (Tokyo Big Sight)

This exhibition will take place from September 10-12, 2025, at Tokyo Big Sight (South Exhibition Halls/West Hall 2), Koto, Tokyo.

2025 AIPPI World Congress (Yokohama)

An intellectual property (IP) event from September 13-16, 2025, at Pacifico Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan, offering discussions and networking.

Trade Shows

Other trade shows include TRANOÏ Tokyo Autumn 2025 (Japan Fashion Products Fair) from September 3-4, 2025, at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo; TIGS Autumn 2025 (Tokyo International Gift Show) from September 3-5, 2025, at Tokyo Big Sight (East Hall 4 / South Exhibition Halls), Koto-ku, Tokyo; JASIS 2025 (Japan Analytical & Scientific Instruments Show) with a physical exhibition from September 3-5, 2025, at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, and an online component (WebExpo) from July 4-October 31, 2025; and Logis-Tech Tokyo 2025 (logistics) from September 10-12, 2025, at Tokyo Big Sight (East Halls 4-8), Tokyo.

TOMORROW FIELD 2025 Summer Exhibition

Running until September 15, 2025, across various venues including TAIZA Studio.
September in Japan also offers opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, especially in higher altitude areas where early autumn foliage may begin to appear, and enjoying fresh seasonal produce.

If you are traveling to Japan in September (find here Exoticca’s Japan trips still available), you have plenty of events to choose from!