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samba asakusa
Photo by Nguyen Hung Vu used under CC

2018 Asakusa Samba Carnival

The super-fun, uber-attended Asakusa Samba Carnival is back and will be dazzling the streets of Asakusa this Saturday starting at 1pm and ending at 6pm. Bring your best moves as you’ll be inclined to join in and jive as you watch the stunning samba dancers parade by.

Hibiya Park Marunouchi Ondo Bon-odori Festival

Join some 40,000 participants at this traditional festival dancing to the tune of the most famous Bon Odori song “Tokyo Ondo”. It takes pace at Hibiya Park and is one of the biggest events of its kind in the Tokyo area.

Suggested Activity
Sumo Morning Practice Tour at Stable in Tokyo
Try this insider’s experience at a sumo wrestler morning practice session. Enjoy exclusive access to a sumo stable, watching as these massive athletes put themselves through their daily training regimen and go head-to-head.

Hodogaya Candle Night

Celebrate the “last day” of the season in and around the plum garden at Kanagawa’s Hodogaya Park. There will be thousands of candles lining the pathways and DJs playing ambience-appropriate summer chill-out music.

Koenji Awa Odori Festival

An evening dance-off festival in Koenji with 10,000 participants and 1 million spectators. A cool way to spend a hot summer evening.

Food and Entertainment Fight! Festival

A 10-day festival with food, music and even professional wrestling displays at Symbol Promenade Park.

Chofu Yosakoi 2018

Another dance-heavy parade, this one taking place in the west Tokyo area. In addition to the traditional jigs, there will be festival food and drinks on offer.

Golden Gai Chill Out Festival

Certain bars in the popular Golden Gai neighborhood are participating in a summer chill out evening. Typically, establishments in this area are not overly welcoming to outsiders, but this is your chance to explore and experience traditional Golden Gai nightlife.

Azabu Juban Festival

This is a yearly food festival you won’t want to miss. Stop by the stalls to pick up some local prepared fare or leave with a bag or few of produce from all over Japan. Along with the traditional festival food, you’ll have a chance to try local delicacies from across the country.

Roppongi Hills Bon Dance 2018

Watch or join in this unique dance festival in Roppongi. It spans three days, but Friday draws the biggest crowd. This bon festival boasts a unique dance—the Ropponjin Ondo—roughly translated as the Roppongi Workman’s Dance. All are invited to join in.

Harajuku Omotesando Super Yosakoi 2018

A huge team performance dance contest in the Omotesando/Harajuku area. Over 6,000 competitors hailing from all over Japan will take part. Parade takes place on the Sunday.

44th Kanazawa Fireworks

A small fireworks show of 3,200 illuminations against the beautiful Marine Park backdrop in Yokohama.

Suggested Activity
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For more top Tokyo events happening this month, see our August recommendations.

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