Popular Weekend Events in Nagoya (September Updated)

The 24th Furusato (All Japan Construction Association) will once again be held this year at Hisaya-Odori Park/Edion Hisaya Plaza/Angel Plaza in the center of Sakae City! This festival, centered around the 39 prefectural associations active in the three prefectures of the Tokai region, conveys the charm of their hometowns through the sale of local specialties, the display of local performing arts, the gathering of mascots, and tourism promotion.

One of Japan's largest and most charming pottery markets, with over 200 pottery and ceramic shops lining both banks of the Seto River. A dazzling array of goods—from everyday items to works of art—attracts tens of thousands of customers from all over Japan each year. At Okunoe Island Plaza, traditional Seto-dyed pottery is on display and available for purchase, its beautiful blue and white contrasts a delight to the eye, with live demonstrations offered. A fireworks display graces the opening night, a rare sight in Japan, as August is typically fireworks season. Approximately 1,000 fireworks soar into the sky, adding a breathtaking glow to the countless brightly lit shops.

This year, Nagoya's largest autumn event celebrated its 72nd anniversary, with over 700 participants dressed in samurai attire parading through the city streets to commemorate three influential local heroes of the 16th-century Sengoku period: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The city center was filled with various festive activities, including parades, floats, battle reenactments, samurai horseback archery, and martial arts performances, while concerts were held around Hisaya-Odori Park. This two-day event, usually held in mid-October, attracts thousands of visitors annually.