The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Summer Festivals

There are many food stalls (called yatai or demise in Japanese) that line the streets during Summer Festivals and visiting these is a must if you want to enjoy the full experience. The most popular items are Yakisoba (焼きそば), a stir-fried noodle dish seasoned with a sweet and savory sauce, and takoyaki (たこ焼き or 蛸焼), bite-sized balls with small pieces of cooked octopus (tako) inside, topped with takoyaki sauce. Check out our Japanese Food Stalls collection and shop for deliciously authentic Japanese street food!

Much like the other popular Japanese festival traditions, the matsuri games have been passed down through many generations and have been making a strong comeback in recent years. People dress up in yukata, bring their favorite snacks and drinks, and go to Matsuris for water balloon yoyo (ヨーヨーつり), goldfish scooping (金魚すくい), and Senbonbiki (せんぼんびき). Check out our Japanese snack and beauty selection so you can look your very best and get yourself ready for some summer fun!

Firework festivals are called Hanabi Taikai (花火大会) and they are one of the most memorable highlights of the summertime. You can find them everywhere around Japan and in tons of Japanese manga, anime, and movies, firework shows are described as the perfect place for romance to shine. People give their partners sweet gifts and express their true feelings within the romantic atmosphere. Check out our gifts for him/her and send them to your special someone!

To celebrate the summer festivals Yami presents our Japanese Fruity Summer Box to bring you a full-on authentic experience with that lively summer vibe! This box includes 15 of the trendiest fruity snacks and beverages from Japan including fruit candies, juices, fruit teas, and fruit-flavored milk drinks.