Japan's Best Summer Events 2026
Summer 2026 is in full swing and there’s already been a stack of epic events popping up all over Niseko, Furano and Hakuba.
But more often than not, unless you’re really in the know, you don’t find out about them until a couple of days after when you’re then told, “The Kotohira Fire Festival was sooooooo good this year.”
So if you're someone who keeps missing out, here’s everything you need to know for the summer, starting with two terms you may want to be familiar with:
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Matsuri:
A traditional Japanese festival, often held at Shinto shrines, temples or small townships. Matsuri festivals often celebrate the seasons, local produce and historical events, with local food vendors, fireworks, music performances and community celebrations.
A Rhythm Event:
A good time, always.
Alright, now we’re all brushed up on the event terms, when are the next ones on?
Niseko's best events this JULY
Summer's really starting to heat up now, and in Niseko, it's already well and truly in full swing, with epic events and matsuri happening almost every weekend. Here's what's on for the remainder of the summer!
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Iwanai Shrine Matsuri
07 - 09 July, 2026
Only half an hour from Niseko, Iwanai’s annual matsuri holds one of the region’s biggest firework displays alongside a handful of live performances, traditional dances and a special collection of shops located within Iwani’s Tarafuki Village.
Kotohira Shrine Fire festival - Furubira
10 - 12 July, 2026
Niseko Jazz Festival
17 - 20th July, 2026
Rhythm Japan MTB Tunes Clinic
17th July, 2026
Rhythm Hirafu Skatepark Showdown
18th July, 2026
Who is the ultimate flatground master? Find out at Rhythm Hirafu when local legends battle it out in a round robin format of S.K.A.T.E games.
Niseko Village Niko Niko Festival
18th - 19th July, 2026
Summer Festa in Toya
18th July, 2026
Iwanai Kei Truck Matsuri
19th July, 2026
Otaru Ushio Matsuri
24th - 26th July, 2026
With over 50 years of history, the annual Otaru Ushio market is an awesome way to immerse yourself in local culture, with its famous Ushio Nerikomi dance parade being a favourite amongst many each and every year.
Considering Otaru is Hokkaido’s seafood capital, and is perfectly positioned as the middle-point only an hour away from both Sapporo and Niseko, with both routes offering heaps of options of public transport, the Ushio Market is definitely one that us here at Rhythm recommend checking out.
Toya Summer Festival
26th July, 2026
Date Samurai Festival
31st July - 1st August, 2026
Niseko Town Fireworks
01st August, 2026
Kutchan Jaga Matsuri
1st - 2nd August, 2026
If you didn’t know, Kutchan, the town at the foot of the Niseko United Resorts, has a town mascot called jagata-kun. Not only is jagata-kun a steezy looking potato, he’s a skiing potato (who probably shreds harder than most of us here in town). The Jaga Matsuri is all about celebrating him! Food trucks, massive street parades and an “all you can grab potato” event, the Jaga Matsuri will forever stand out as one of the most unique festivals you’ll ever attend.
The best part? The Kutchan Jaga Matsuri (potato festival) is located on the street that connects to the Kutchan train station, making it super easy to access if you’re coming from out of town.
Niseko Hanazono Hill Climb
2nd August, 2026
Rhythm Hirafu Lap Attack
8th August, 2026
Hirafu Hillbomb
15th August, 2026
Niseko Annupuri MTB Downhill Series
22 - 23rd August, 2026
Hirafu Matsuri
28th - 29th August, 2026
Hirafu's biggest summer matsuri, the Hirafu Matsuri sees local food vendors descend upon Sunsports land for a celebration of all things food, art and culture. Throughout the day there are other standout events such as live music performances and the iconic 'Mochi Toss', which has previously seen winners taking home to likes of a new Gentemstick and a Niseko United full season pass!
Iwanai Doto Matsuri
08 - 09th August, 2026
Rhythm Mini Cup
12th September, 2026
Furano's Best Summer Events 2026
There's almost not a better summer destination than Furano. Picteresuq mountain ranges, endless flower farms and lavender fields and a stack of awesome events spanning all the way from Furano to Asahikawa.
Nachi Biei Fire Festival
24th July, 2026
Kanayama Lake Fireworks (Furano)
25th July, 2026
Furano Heso Matsuri
28th - 29th July, 2026
Found all the comfort food and knock-offs Strong Zero’s weren’t the best for your winter beer belly? Fear not! At the Furano belly button festival, your beer belly won’t just be accepted, it’ll be celebrated! First beginning in 1969, the Heso Odori aims to unify and energize Furano’s local community. At first, it wasn’t a hit with only 11 dancers painting their belly and entering the dance procession. Now, over 5,000 people participate in the 2-day dance event, painting their tummies in an array of funny designs to help provide a little bit of humour and celebration over the summer season! A must see!
Asahikawa Summer Festival
30th July - 1st August
Naka Furano Lavender Matsuri and Fireworks
1st August, 2026
Day-long food stalls, live performances, and a grand finale of about 7,000 fireworks illuminating the blooming purple hillsides, drawing around 10,000 visitors, The Nakafurano Lavender Festival and Fireworks is an epic way to explore Furano.
Obihiro Firework Festival
13th August, 2026
Rhythm Mini Cup
12th September, 2026
Hakuba's Best Summer Events 2026
Summer's really starting to heat up now. Here's what's on for the remainder of the month!
Matsumoto Grand Taiko Festival
July 25th - 26th, 2026
Hakuba Summer Festival 2026
Mid-August, 2026
Natsu Matsuri Bonbon Matsumoto
01st August, 2026
Nagano's biggest summer festival in, held on the first Saturday of every August in the city center stretching from the east side of Matsumoto Station.
Starry Ski Film Festival 2026
2nd - 16th August, 2026
Rhythm Skate Showdown
9th August, 2026
The showdown is coming to Hakuba, with a stack of events held at True Players, all aiming to find out who to king and queens of the Hakuba skate scene are.
Hakuba Hillbomb
15th August, 2026
Hakuba Mountain Festival 2026
29th - 30th August , 2026
Invading the Happo Sky Stage for two days of live music celebrations, this year's hakuba Mountain Festival will see the likes of Sonar Pocket, Shonen No Kaze, Yusuke and more.
Lantern Festival Nozawa Onsen
8th - 9th September, 2026
Aniera Festa 2026
Mid-September, 2026
Cosmos Season at Kurohime Plateau 2026
Late July - Early October, 2026
Ueda Battlefield Half Marathon 2026
12th October, 2026
Shinshu Matsumoto Soba Festival
Mid-October, 2026
Other Epic Summertime Adventures
Travel dates don't line up with any of the local events? Here's some other activities to enjoy while in town!
Golf
Summertime breeze, luscious greens and mountains in the distance – name a better place to play golf than Japan?
Camping
If you aren’t keen on camping around Japan, it’s because you haven’t looked into how good camping in Japan actually is. From the serene landscape of Lake Aoki, to getting pitted in the surf breaks of Shiraoi, green season Japan offers a range of different camping destinations each with their own unique attractions on offer.
Mountain Biking
Outside of hosting the best powder in the world in the winter season, both Niseko and Hakuba also offers world-class mountain biking trails suitable for riders of all skillsets, giving riders the option to explore the region in exciting new ways, regardless of if they want to fang downhill trails or go for scenic cruises.
For those wanting to explore the mountain on two wheels, check out our different rental options.
Skating
If you’re craving a shred during the summer months but can’t get out on the snowboard, why not swap your board out for one with four wheels? And don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you need to hill-bomb Hirafu – you can also shred the pop-up skatepark, pump track and mini-ramp at Rhythm Hirafu’s Activity Hub, and newly installed mini at Rhythm Furano.
Rhythm Activity Hub
It’s not just pop-up skateparks that Rhythm’s Activity Hub hosts, with our Hubs in Niseko and Furano offering up a range of activities for visitors, including indoor bouldering complete with kilter board, outdoor trampolines, slacklines, communal workspaces and more.
*Trampolines, kilter board and slackline Niseko only.
BBQ
Really, is there anything better?
Note: This is a rolling blog, more events will be updated as they are announced so make sure to keep an eye out for updates!
Never miss an event! Keep up to date with all Rhythm events here!