The best things to do in Japan in January! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are the New Year's celebrations, hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) and comming of age ceremonies

The best things to do in Japan in February! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are the Sapporo Snow Festival, the best of the skiing season, Tokyo marathon, and plum blossoms

The best things to do in Japan in March! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are doing hanami (cherry blossoms viewing), Hinamatsuri

The best things to do in Japan in April! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are Kyoto's Miyako Odori, The Sanno Spring Festival, Children's day (Kodomo no Hi) and the raising of carp kites

The best things to do in Japan in May! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are Ashikaga Flower Park's wisteria blooms, the Sanja matsuri, and the Kanda matsuri

The best things to do in Japan in June! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are Sapporo's Yosakoi Soran matsuri, the Sanno matsuri

The best things to do in Japan in July! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are the Sumidagawa fireworks in Tokyo, the Gion matsuri in Kyoto, and the Fuji Rock music festival

The best things to do in Japan in August! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are countless fireworks festivals accross the country, the Aomori Nebuta matsuri, and the Sendai Tanabata matsuri

The best things to do in Japan in September! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are the Kishiwara Danjiri matsuri, and Okinawa's Eisa matsuri

The best things to do in Japan in October! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are the Takayama autumn festival, and the Nagasaki Kunchi

The best things to do in Japan in November! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are beautiful autumn colors, and university carnivals

The best things to do in Japan in December! Our guide to the special events, Japanese festivals (matsuri), and seasonal foods offered at popular restaurants all over Japan. Main Events are end of the year parties (bonenkai), christmas markets, and illuminations