Get ready to get soaked at Universal Studios Japan’s wildly popular NO LIMIT! Summer Splash Parade! Beloved characters including Mario and friends, water-type Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, Minions, and Sesame Street favorites parade through the park armed with water guns and buckets, drenching guests in good fun.

Expect water cannons, sprinklers, and playful props like inner tubes, umbrellas, and hula hoops. For the ultimate experience, step into the “360° Soaking Wet Zone” (1,700–2,100 yen depending on the date), where torrents of water pour from every direction and you're guaranteed to get completely drenched. Be sure to wear water-friendly clothing and bring a towel or poncho!

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From July 1 to October 31, 2025, Pokémon fans can explore Osaka's bustling Umeda district with the special event “Pokémon Adventure Challenge in Osaka Station City & Umeda North Area.” Embark on a city-wide adventure as your favorite Pokémon characters appear throughout popular sightseeing spots!

Keep your eyes peeled for Pokémon hidden around Umeda, and don’t miss the paid puzzle-solving game “Mega Evolution Challenge.” Participants can choose a partner Pokémon, visit key checkpoints, solve clues, and earn a special prize upon completion.

At the anime-themed park Nijigen no Mori, located inside Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park, the popular “NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi-Zato” area is hosting a special summer event where you can dive into a splash-filled ninja experience!

In front of the iconic Hokage Rock, visitors can participate in an interactive ninja challenge to activate the “Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu.” Staff will guide participants through 44 hand signs required to unleash the jutsu. When performed successfully, a massive 50-liter burst of water erupts into the air, immersing everyone in a thrilling ninja moment.

Complete the challenge and receive a limited-edition Water Style sticker! Be sure to let the staff know if you want to join—and don’t forget a change of clothes, as you’ll definitely get wet.

First held in 1984, the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival marks its 39th edition in 2025. Set along the shores of Otsu Port in Shiga Prefecture, this iconic summer event features fireworks launched over Lake Biwa, creating dazzling reflections across the water and sky.

With around 10,000 fireworks and roughly 300,000 spectators each year, it's one of the region’s largest displays. Prime viewing spots include the lakeside near Otsu Bay and Nagisa Park, just a 15-minute walk from JR Otsu Station or 5 minutes from Keihan Biwako-Hamaotsu Station.

Held annually on August 16, Kyoto’s Gozan no Okuribi is a traditional summer event marking the close of Obon, when ancestral spirits are believed to return to the afterlife. Giant bonfires are lit on five mountains surrounding the city, each forming a symbolic character or shape that appears to float in the night sky over the course of 30 minutes.

The sequence begins at 8 PM with 「大」 (Dai, meaning “great”) on Mt. Daimonji, followed by 「妙」 (Myō) and 「法」 (Hō) on nearby mountains—together forming 「妙法」 (Myōhō, “wondrous law”), referencing Buddhist scripture. Then comes the 「船形」 (Funagata, “boat shape”) on Mt. Funayama, symbolizing the vessel carrying spirits back to the other world. Next is the second 「大」 on Mt. Okitayama, known as 「左大文字」 (Hidari Daimonji, “left Dai”), and finally the 「鳥居形」 (Toriigata, “torii gate shape”) on Mt. Mandara, representing the spiritual gateway between worlds.

All five fire sites are registered as intangible folk cultural assets of Kyoto City and are visible from various vantage points throughout the city.

From July through August, Dotonbori comes alive with the glow of around 2,000 lanterns installed along the Tonbori Riverwalk, which stretches 800 meters from Fukari Bridge (Yotsubashisuji) to Nipponbashi (Sakaisuji). First launched in 1999 to energize the Minami area of Osaka, this summer tradition now includes a variety of personalized lanterns.

Among the glowing displays are lanterns bearing the names of local businesses, fan-created “oshi” lanterns dedicated to favorite idols, and uplifting messages like “Go Expo 2025 Kansai!” The shimmering lights reflected on the river, combined with neon from nearby storefronts, create a dazzling nighttime atmosphere. For a different view, hop on the Dotonbori sightseeing cruise (20 minutes with guide), which passes under nine bridges crossing the river.

Held at the Rokko Morinone Museum in the mountains of Kobe, the SIKI Garden Summer Season celebrates early summer blooms in a cool alpine setting. With temperatures about 5°C (9°F) cooler than downtown, hydrangeas, roses, and lilies here bloom about a month later than in the city. The frequent rain and mist on Mt. Rokko give the flowers even more vibrant color.

Over 20 varieties and 350 hydrangea bushes, along with more than 1,000 lilies, fill the garden with color. Roses, planted to blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings, also bloom in succession. Please note that bloom conditions may vary with the weather—check social media for updates.

From mid-July to late August, Awaji Farm Park England Hill (Awaji Farm Park England no Oka) bursts into bloom for its annual sunflower event, “England Hill Sunflower Operation 2025!” Throughout the spacious grounds, visitors can enjoy vibrant fields of sunflowers in full glory.

The main field features around 50,000 hybrid sunflowers, with peak bloom expected in mid-August. Sunflowers also brighten areas around the lake, the Monument Garden, and the central flowerbeds. Don’t miss the sunflower path where you can walk among the blossoms, scenic observation decks, heart-shaped displays, swings, and playful photo panels designed for fun snapshots.

This summer, the creative company NAKED returns with a cutting-edge light and art event at the World Heritage Site, Nijo Castle, in Kyoto. “NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2025: Summer Evening Lights” reimagines traditional Japanese summer culture (noryo) through modern installations, projecting seasonal motifs like uchiwa fans and summer flowers onto gates and corridors once walked by shoguns.

The festival also features food stalls offering shaved ice, soda, and other summer treats, creating a nostalgic yet modern matsuri atmosphere that’s perfect for a warm Kyoto night.

Japan’s summer nights are filled with festive traditions and dazzling events, from Kyoto’s spiritual Gozan no Okuribi to the spectacular 2025 Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival. These celebrations offer a glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural heritage—while letting you enjoy the brightest moments of summer.

(Information is current as of July 2025. Please check official websites for the latest updates.)