In northern Japan, the autumn season brings a series of festivals, known locally as aki matsuri (秋まつり), celebrating the harvest, nature, and local heritage. These festivals remain particularly distinctive, often overlooked by travelers. In this article, I will guide you on how to understand, experience, and enjoy them correctly, so read until the very end!
So, you’re in Osaka, you've ate takoyaki, seen the neon lights of Dotonbori, took the picture with the グリコ(Glico), dodged bicycles in Umeda, and maybe even attend the Osaka Expo 2025. But what if I told you that heading to northern Japan is absolutely worth it? (Not to mention, it's surprisingly easy and affordable to get back to Tokyo from here too)