Events & Festivals in Chiba

Katori Jingu Shrine hosts this traditional ceremony with a sacred rice-pounding ritual by priests in formal dress. Watch the careful process of making ceremonial mochi, meant to ensure a prosperous year. The mood is solemn. It suits those drawn to Shinto rituals. Attendees receive limited mochi after the ceremony ends.

Thousands of LED lights transform this historical village museum, creating pathways and illuminating traditional thatched-roof houses. The display runs into evening, giving a quiet, scenic setting. Families and couples find it ideal. It is a gentle evening activity for colder months.

This hands-on event at a local community center honors Chiba's fishing culture. Participants use real fish to make traditional gyotaku prints on paper or fabric. Instructors guide beginners through each step. The activity is creative and family-friendly. It connects art with the local maritime industry.

This is one of Chiba's most famous Setsubun events. Priests and invited celebrities throw lucky bean packets from the temple's main stage to crowds below. Visitors shout 'Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!' to drive out evil spirits. The atmosphere is lively and packed. It draws both pilgrims and tourists.

Elite and amateur runners race a challenging course through Inage Seaside Park. The event offers various distances for different skill levels. Sea air and park views give spectators a refreshing backdrop. It fits sports fans. It suits those wanting an active day out.

This event celebrates early spring blooms at one of Chiba's largest plum tree collections. Visitors walk among hundreds of trees with white and pink blossoms. Local stalls sell regional specialties and warm drinks. The mood is relaxed and festive. It works well for families and photographers.

Sakura City marks cherry blossom season with performances on multiple stages, food vendors serving local sake and street food, and craft markets. A large parade of traditional costumes and floats moves through the city center. The day is community-focused. The atmosphere is cheerful.

This is one of the world's largest anime conventions, held at Tokyo Big Sight on the border of Koto Ward, Tokyo and Chiba's Maihama area. It includes exclusive previews, industry exhibitions, merchandise sales, and celebrity guest panels. Massive crowds of dedicated fans come from around the globe.

This event honors Katsuura's standing as a major fishing port. The highlight is the auction and display of massive bluefin tuna. Many stalls serve fresh tuna sashimi bowls, grilled tuna, and other seafood at very reasonable prices. The event is casual and busy. It centers on enjoying excellent seafood.

This premier global motorsports event happens at Suzuka Circuit. While technically in Mie Prefecture, it draws international visitors who stay in or pass through Chiba due to proximity. The weekend brings high-speed action, team displays, and a festival atmosphere.

This is the annual grand festival of Chiba's namesake and most important shrine. Mikoshi portable shrines parade through streets with musicians and costumed participants. The procession is energetic and colorful. Evening events at the shrine include traditional dance performances.

This event takes place at a large herb garden, showing the region's aromatic plants. Visitors browse stalls selling herb plants, essential oils, soaps, and herbal teas. Workshops cover herb cultivation and cooking. The scent-filled air and garden setting make for a pleasant, easygoing day out.

A nocturnal event in the forested Yoro Valley where natural hotaru fireflies emerge along the riverbanks. The area is kept dark to protect the insects, allowing visitors to observe their delicate green lights. Park rangers give short talks on conservation. It is a quiet, memorable experience best for small groups or couples.

A traditional Tanabata celebration in a historical farming community now adjacent to Narita Airport. The main street is decorated with long streams of colorful paper ornaments. Visitors write wishes on strips of paper and tie them to bamboo branches. The event has a nostalgic, local charm distinct from larger city festivals.

A major pyrotechnics display launched over Tokyo Bay from the Chiba Port Park. Thousands of shells are synchronized to music, creating dramatic reflections on the water. The vast park area fills with families and groups laying out picnic blankets. It is a classic Japanese summer experience.

A historic festival with roots stretching back hundreds of years, centered around Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. Dozens of elaborate floats are pulled through the streets by teams in traditional garb. The procession is accompanied by thunderous drumming and flute music. The event draws large crowds, creating an energetic and historic atmosphere.

A combined event on the Boso Peninsula's southern coast. The daytime has a traditional festival with mikoshi parades. As evening falls, the scene shifts to outdoor jazz performances by local and national artists on stages near the beach. The blend of traditional and modern creates a uniquely laid-back summer vibe.

A dynamic local festival where heavy mikoshi portable shrines are carried vigorously through the shopping arcades by neighborhood teams. The shouts of the carriers and the crush of the crowd create an intense, communal energy. It is a classic example of a neighborhood matsuri, rooted in local identity.

A high-energy dance festival where teams clad in colorful, original costumes perform synchronized routines to modern yosakoi music. The performances take place on multiple stages and parade routes throughout Ichihara City. The sound of clappers and shouts fills the air, creating an infectious, joyful atmosphere.

A modern civic festival celebrating Chiba City's culture and community. It has a large parade with international cultural groups, performances on a central stage in Chiba Port Park, and extensive food truck areas offering global cuisines. The event is family-oriented and highlights the city's international connections.

A community-oriented event starting with a volunteer beach clean-up, followed by a small market featuring local artisans and environmental groups. Food vendors sell seafood and organic treats. It combines civic action with relaxed shopping, suitable for environmentally conscious visitors and families.

A hands-on event at the open-air museum where participants help harvest rice from the museum's traditional paddy fields using old-fashioned methods. Staff explain the process and significance of rice in Japanese culture. It's an active, educational experience that connects participants with Chiba's agricultural heritage.

A tasting event showing sake from breweries across Chiba Prefecture and other parts of Japan. For a set fee, visitors receive a tasting cup and can sample dozens of different sakes. Local food pairings are also available for purchase. The atmosphere is convivial and focused on appreciation.

An exhibition of elaborate dolls and scenes crafted entirely from living chrysanthemum flowers, displayed in a large greenhouse. The intricate floral designs depict historical figures and famous scenes. The event is calm and visually impressive, appealing to gardening enthusiasts and those seeking a quieter activity.

The expansive outlet mall is decorated with millions of LED lights, often following a specific theme each year. The main attraction is a synchronized light and music show over the central courtyard. It provides a festive shopping atmosphere and is a popular date spot or family evening outing.

A European-style Christmas market takes over a home center parking lot. Wooden stalls hawk handcrafted goods, warm gluhwein, sausages, and seasonal treats. Sometimes they install a small ice rink. The whole thing imports festive holiday spirit straight to Chiba.