Tokyo events for Monday, February 17 to Sunday, February 23, 2025.
February 22 is Cat Day in Japan, so grab your fluffy feline friend for a cuddle, or if you’re without, head to the next best thing — a cat photo exhibition.
In other parts of town, samurai are on the streets and vendors are chopping up fresh seafood.
Fun fact: Cat Day is on February 22 because number two in Japanese (ni) sounds a bit like meow in Japanese (nyan), so… nyan, nyan, nyan.
Japan Traditional Crafts Ginza Artisan’s Street
Browse and buy creations from around 90 regions across Japan — including items embellished with Kanazawa gold leaf and Wajima lacquerware, an art that dates back thousands of years. You’ll also be able to meet the artisans, see live demonstrations, and join in workshops (such as painting kokeshi dolls from Miyagi or crafting Edo woodblock prints).
Calligraphy Experience with Original Shirt Gift
Ever wondered what your own personal kanji could be? Find out and write it down on a hanging scroll you can take home. This 2-hour engaging tour and workshop teaches you how to write Japanese calligraphy and make your own hanging scroll.
| Advance sales: ¥14,000 | ||
| Advance sales: ¥12,500 | ||
Some no Komichi (Fabric-Dyeing Festival)
Some no Komichi is a festival highlighting the art of dyeing and screen printing in the Nakai/Ochiai area of Shinjuku Ward. As an artistic tribute to this heritage, long pieces of kimono cloth will be draped on wires above the river as a “River Gallery.”
Doll Floating Ceremony
The Doll Festival, also known as Hina Matsuri is an annual event in Japan to celebrate the good health of girls. The source of this celebration is actually a ceremony in which people floated dolls on boats down rivers to carry bad luck away. This custom is continued in Sumida Park on the Asakusa side of the river near Azumabashi bridge.
Showa Retro Market
The Showa era of Japan left behind plenty of unique and beautiful souvenirs. At the Showa Retro Market, you’ll find stalls selling everything from retro music to posters, toys, clothes, furniture, and home appliances.
| At the door: ¥500 | ||
Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Exhibition – Last Chance!
Everyone’s favorite cartoon cat (or girl) has taken over Tokyo, and for good reason, to celebrate her 50th anniversary. From retro plushies to newer collaborative artworks of Kitty, there’s half a century’s worth of stuff to explore.
| Advance sales: ¥1,800 | At the door: ¥2,000 | |
Samurai Festival
Swords, snacks, and songs await at the Samurai Fes in Ueno. There will be several stage events held over four days, from musical performances to reenactments of famous moments in history.
Gundam Next Future Final Exhibition
45 years later, Gundam is still an iconic part of Japanese culture. And to celebrate this momentous milestone, the exhibition Gundam Next Future Final will remind you of what you love about it.
Sakana and Japan Festival
Load up your plate at this year’s Sakana and Japan Festival. Happening over the course of four days, this is a chance to sample some of Japan’s best sakana (fish).
Cat Holiday Exhibition Winter
Popular cat creators will gather together to sell handmade goods and show of their amateur and professional photography. The stalls include shops with feline pottery, miniature displays, postcards, and stickers.
| At the door: ¥700 | ||
Katsuura Big Hinamatsuri
One of the biggest Hinamatsuri — Dolls’, or Girls’, Day — events in Japan, The Katsuura Big Hinamatsuri sees around 4,000 traditional Japanese dolls set up around Katsuura City.
Kōnosu Surprise Hinamatsuri
Kōnosu City in Saitama has nearly 400 years of experience in the doll-making industry. There will be several pyramids of Hina dolls set up around Kōnosu, but the biggest is held at the main venue in Elumi Kounosu Shopping Mall on the 1F.
Iwatsuki Hina Doll Festival
Iwatsuki is one of a few towns left in Japan prized for their doll making and craftsmanship. Hina Matsuri, being a doll festival, offers the perfect chance for them to show off their talent and skills.
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