Mid Autumn Festival: Five Events in Japan You Need to Check Out!

In mid autumn, under the full moon, the Japanese celebrate tsukimi (Japanese Harvest Moon Festival). It’s held every autumn across the country and dates back over 1,000 years. The autumn festival in Japan is a colorful celebration of nature and culture. 

From mesmerizing lantern displays to captivating traditional performances, you won’t believe the joyful energy that takes over the country during these festivals. Are you ready to take a walk in the moonlight? In this epic guide, we’ll tell you some mid-autumn festivals you don’t want to miss! 

Tokyo Tower

One of the best ways to celebrate tsukimi in Tokyo is by visiting this iconic landmark. The Tokyo Tower is lit up yearly for the Tsukimi Harvest Moon Festival. The outer staircase leading to the main deck will be open until 10 PM so people can view the moon. With 600 steps to the top, you’ll need to be fit to get the best views, but it’s worth it! And even if you don’t want to head inside, then it makes a stunning image from the ground too. It’s red against the dark sky and shimmering white moon. 

On the event day, there are rest stops along the way with dumplings and silver pampas grass on display. So you can enjoy a few treats and the culture behind the mid-autumn festival. The coffee shop in the tower also has unique tsukimi dishes. It’s the perfect spot to recharge after climbing up to the tower! 

Are you looking for some treats to enjoy for your next moon celebration? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers limited-edition Japanese noodles, drinks, snacks, and sweets right to your door so you can enjoy the latest Japanese drinks and snacks directly from Japan!

Sankeien Garden

This picturesque garden in Yokohama lights up their historic buildings each year for tsukimi. The Sankeien Garden is one of Japan’s most beautiful spots to view the full moon. Enjoy the superb display of fall colors at this beautiful Japanese garden. Coming here, you can walk around the garden, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and music performances, and admire the romantic moonlight. 

You can have fun with some tsukimi-related activities, including poetry recitations, tea ceremonies, and lantern festivals. Sankeien Garden boasts a three-story pagoda and other historic structures that come alive with illumination. It’s a romantic way to experience the tradition as you slow down and reflect on the passing season. 

Ise Shrine

Among the thousands of shrines in Japan, this is one of the most sacred and ancient ones. The shrine was created to honor the sun goddess Amaterasu and is said to have been established 2000 years ago, but the exact date is uncertain. Ise Shrine is in Mie Prefecture, home to many other wonderful historical sites!

It hosts its iconic tsukimi celebrations with poetry readings and music each September. During this festival, the shrine is beautifully decorated with autumn leaves, and traditional performances and ceremonies are witnessed. It’s a unique opportunity to experience the spiritual and cultural significance of the shrine during the autumn season.

Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture is often voted to be the most beautiful castle in Japan. Each year, this breathtaking castle hosts an unforgettable moon-viewing event. There will even be a telescope that you can use to view the moon. Take the opportunity to listen to some great music and eat delicious food. The festival lasts from 6 pm to 9 pm, with sword dance, Western classical violin, and jazz performances. 

Alongside the performances are booths selling oden (Japanese stew), rice dumplings, sake (rice wine), and more. Himeji oden, in particular, is a local favorite for its unique addition of ginger, soy sauce, and spring onions. Another area lets people try out a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Why should I go to a mid-autumn festival in Japan?

People enjoy going to these mid-autumn festivals because it’s a particular time in Japan when families and friends come together. They celebrate the full moon and enjoy delicious food. From gardens, shrines, and iconic landmarks, there are tons of places where you can marvel at the beauty of the moon.

The custom of moon-viewing celebrations has become a famous and historical annual festival that can be enjoyed all across Japan. It remains a popular celebration today and attracts many tourists to experience the beauty of traditional Japanese culture. Have you been to one of these mid-autumn festivals before? Do you have a favorite one? Let us know in the comments below!