Tokyo events for Monday, August 19 to Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Summer may be making us all hot and bothered, but it’s also the perfect time to get out during the evening and enjoy a traditional dance festival.
The most popular this week will be Kōenji Awa Odori, but the dance contest in Harajuku is a close second. If you want to take it slow, head to a local Bon Odori dance or join the crowds at Roppongi Hills.
Kōenji Awa Odori Festival
Taking place outdoors on the closed-off streets of Kōenji, this summer festival knows how to put on a traditional dance party. The Kōenji Awa Odori Festival fills two days with shedloads of dancing. Everything starts just as the sun is setting at 5 p.m. and the procession finishes promptly at 8 p.m. – on both days.
Harajuku Omotesando Super Yosakoi
This event sees dance teams descend on the Harajuku/Omotesando area in late August. The two days of the festival sees a huge dance contest taking over the area. The dance festival is on a massive scale and sees 6,000 performers in dance groups from throughout Japan competing for the top spot.
Roppongi Hills Bon Dance
The sleek concrete of the Roppongi Hills Arena will be taken over by kimono-clad Bon dancers for the weekend. This festival boasts a unique dance — the Ropponjin Ondo — roughly translated as the Roppongi Workman’s Dance.
Chuo Ward Oedo Bon Dance
Summer in Japan isn’t complete without Bon Odori — the traditional dance that sees festival goers making their way around an erected tower in synchronized movements. The festival will also include Japanese folk music, traditional arts and crafts workshops, and performing arts with the town residents.
Edogawa Fireworks Festival
Running for nearly 50 years, the Edogawa Fireworks Festival is one of the more senior fireworks festivals in Tokyo. You can enjoy the fireworks display from either side of the Edo River. It will get very busy, so some of the areas will close early.
Kanazawa Fireworks
Held in the southern part of Yokohama, this event sees 3,200 fireworks launched into the skies above the only swimming beach of the city. Marine Park (Umi no Koen) is a great location as there is plenty of space to settle in with a picnic and wait for the show.
Chōfu Yosakoi
The Chōfu Yosakoi festival puts on a wonderful display of high-energy dances. Aside from plenty of dancing, there is lots of festival food on offer, including oden, shaved ice, barbecued squid, yakisoba, and candy floss, as well as soft drinks and beer.
Shimokitazawa Night Flea Market
Find your next hidden treasure at this trendy market in Shimokitazawa. The focus is on high-quality goods, so prices may reflect that. Of course, you will also find unique items you may not discover anywhere else. There’s also a café and food truck for refreshments.
Yomiuri Giants Baseball Match at Tokyo Dome
Things heat up inside Tokyo Dome as the Yomiuri Giants are up to bat on their home turf. Baseball games in Japan are an experience in themselves, no matter who you’re watching.
Sancha Summer Festival and Latin Fest
Held in Sangenjaya (often called Sancha or Sanja for short), this two-day celebration features live performances, amazing costumes, and a great atmosphere. The main event, the Samba Parade, will take place on Sunday, August 25 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. along Chazawa Street.
Yōga Summer Festival
At this local festival, people of all ages will sing and dance on the stage, and there will be a fashion show. Crafts will be sold and plenty of children’s games set up.
Tokyo Otsuka Awa Odori
Over 1,000 performers dance through Minami-Otsuka Street, with Shinshi-ren, a group of dancers known for their powerful dance style, performing the opening ceremony. Locals of all ages take part in bringing the community spirit to life.
Shimokitazawa Bon Dance Festival
Shimokitazawa is a tight but very welcoming community, so this festival (formerly known as the Shimokitazawa summer festival) draws in the locals as well as the many fans of the trendy neighborhood. The Akishima Citizen Whale Festival takes place in Showa Park (athletics stadium) and includes fireworks and a large whale parade. Highlights include a giant whale being pushed through the streets and a fireworks display, which takes place on the Saturday night. Officially this is the Azabu Jūban Noryo Festival. Although “Noryo” means “cooling evening”, this festival is held during the heat of the last weekend of August in the fashionable Azabu-Jūban neighborhood and it’s all about the food. Light-ups, "lucky rakes", late-season fireworks, and more. See the heights of Japanese architecture and design.
Get the most out of the spookiest holiday of the year. Top Tokyo events for Monday, September 30 to Sunday, October 6, 2024. Look forward to Halloween parties, Edo-era festivals, fireworks, and more. Helping you decide if you should actually go to Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Takeshita Street, or Asakusa. Blooming marvellous spots. Upcoming names include Weezer, Tate McRae, Judas Priest, and more.
Akishima Citizen Whale Festival
Azabu Jūban Festival
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