December 30, 2019 to January 1, 2020

HIMEJI CASTLE NIGHT FANTASIESThe World by Illumination

Other World Heritage sites in Japan and Himeji-jo Castle’s sister castle feature in relay-style illuminations projected onto the main donjon of Himeji-jo Castle.
Daily until 22:00.

Early February to mid-May, 2020

Sakura connects World HeritageWorld Heritage Cherry Blossom Relay

Kicking off with the Nakijin Gusuku Castle Cherry Blossom Festival from February 1 to 9, and running to Hashino Yaezakura Cherry Blossom Festival in Kamaishi in mid-May. This relay covers sixteen World Heritage sites as the cherry blossom front moves north over Japan.
(February)Nakijin→(March)Kagoshima→Minamishimabara→Miyajima→Hagi→Iwami→(April)Himeji→Kyoto→Yoshino→Mt.Fuji→Izunokuni→Tomioka→Nikko→(May)Hiraizumi→Kamaishi

February 6, 2020

Japan's oldest fire festivalOto Matsuri Festival

Recreating the time the gods descended to earth here, in this ritual of the Kamikura-jinja Shrine (Shingu City, Wakayama Pref.) each household is gifted the fire of the gods. Two thousand men known as “noboriko” or “climbers” don white costumes tied with straw rope and carry torches lit with the sacred fire down 538 steep steps.

March, 2020

Outdoor Concert at Daisen Park

A temporary stage is set up at Daisen Park, adjacent to the vast burial mound, or “kofun,” believed to be that of Emperor Nintoku which makes up part of this kofun group. The stage is used for performing art shows by top artists in a space that compresses history and culture into a single focus. (Details yet to be determined)

March 20 to May 31, 2020

Hidden Treasures of the Horyu-ji Temple

The Horyu-ji Temple in Nara is the world’s oldest wooden building, and the first World Heritage site in Japan. This special exhibition features some of the temple’s hidden treasures that are not normally on public display.

From April, 2020

Celebrating Five Years of World Heritage Site Registration

*Details to be determined

May 3, 2020

Spring Fujiwara Festival

Hiraizumi was founded in the Tohoku region as a wish for a peaceful nation. In the twelfth century, Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune arrived here, fleeing his brother Yoritomo, who had established the Kamakura Shogunate, and was warmly welcomed by Fujiwara Hidehira and the local populace. Celebrating this, a parade of a hundred people march between the temples of Môtsû-ji and Chûson-ji, recreating images from Heian-period picture scrolls.

June, 2020

Celebrating Twenty Five Years of World Heritage Site Registration: Special Simultaneous Firehose Discharge *Details to be determined

July, 2020

Opening of Mt. Fuji to Climbing(Olympic Cycle Race)

Mt. Fuji is officially opened for climbing on the Yamanashi side on July 1, and on the Shizuoka side on July 10. In the city of Fujiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture, the Mt. Fuji Opening Eve Festival is held the day before, on June 30, and features a parade as far as the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine. On the Shizuoka side, a ritual to open the mountain for climbing is held at the Fujisan Hongu Sengen-taisha Shrine on July 10.

July to September, 2020

Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Auxiliary Events(Ueno Park)*Details to be determined

One of the component parts of this World Heritage site is the National Museum of Western Art in Taito Ward, Tokyo. Of the works by the Paris-based architect Le Corbusier (1887-1965), seventeen buildings in seven countries (France, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Argentina, and India) are registered in this World Cultural Heritage site.

August , 2020

The anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima

Held on the night of the anniversary of the atomic bombing as a way to pray for lasting world peace. It began shortly after the end of the Second World War, when citizens and people who had lost loved ones in the war began setting hand-made lanterns floating down the river. The lights within each lantern are lit from the fires left from the atomic-bombing of Hiroshima.

August 5 to 15, 2020

Lantern and Fire Festivals in Nara

In the first half of August, some of Japan’s most important rituals take place in Nara. Nara Tokae Lantern Festival, from August 5 to 14 (scheduled) Chugen Mantoro Lantern Festival, August 14 and 15 at Kasuga-taisha Shrine Manto Kuyoe Lantern Festival, August 15 at Tôdai-ji Temple Nara Daimonji Okuribi (Fire festival in the shape of a burning “Dai” character) at Tobihino, Mt. Takamado.

Autumn, 2020

Concert at Tomioka Silk Mill *Details to be determined

October , 2020

*Details to be determined

Octoberber29-30, 2020

World Heritage Summit in Okinawa*Details to be determined

To be held

Performance of Iwami Kagura Dance at the World Heritage Site*Details to be determined