Written by Patrick Balfe
Researched by Alexandra Ziminski
August marks the peak of the Japanese festival season. It offers the best opportunity to break out that yukata and get a dose of summer fun — even if it’s after the scorching sun has gone down.
We can’t fit all the fantastic events into this article, so make sure to check out our full event listings for August to see what you’re missing (spoiler: includes dance parades and anime exhibitions).
For the top events in Tokyo throughout the year, check out our complete guide — organized by month.
1. Bon Odori festivals
Dance, dance, dance
According to Japanese Buddhism, Obon (also known as Bon, or the Bon Festival) in August is the time of year when the dead visit the living. Bon dances, or Bon Odori, are an offshoot of this belief, as these dances were traditionally held to welcome deceased ancestors.
While most Japanese people these days are not particularly religious, Bon dances live on, and that’s why August is filled with Bon festivals galore. Here are a few to check out:
Can’t get enough Bon Odori? There’s heaps more to check out this month all over the city, including big events in Shibuya and Shinjuku. See our August event listings for more info.
2. Awa Odori festivals
Everyone looks a little tipsy at this dance festival
Different regions have their take on the Bon dance, and one such variation is the Awa Odori, which originated in Tokushima Prefecture. The Awa Odori is characterized by frenzied movements, and the steps and music alternate between mellow and energetic. It’s a sight to behold not only because of the moves, but also because of the dancers’ colorful costumes.
- The most famous Awa Odori festival in Tokyo is the Kōenji Awa Odori Festival , which will be held right outside Koenji Station. This event has been known to attract as many as a million visitors, so while it doesn’t start until 5:00 pm, be there early if you want to secure a good spot.
- Alternatively, Shimokitazawa’s Awa Odori (August 22 to 23, 2026) is another Awa Odori event with a slightly smaller crowd.
3. Asakusa Lantern Floating
See the lanterns reflect on the most famous river in Tokyo
Asakusa Tōrō Nagashi (lantern floating) is an event related to Obon in which lanterns are floated out on the Sumida River, lighting the way for the spirits of ancestors to return to the other side.
Around 2,500 lanterns covered in handwritten messages are sent out. You can buy a lantern at the event on the day, or pre-order one and ship it to a residence in Japan. Candles are given out at the venue on the day.
4. Fukagawa Hachiman Festival
Get wet!
Going all the way back to 1642, the Fukagawa Hachiman Festival is considered one of the three great festivals of Edo (the former name of Tokyo). Prepare to get wet here; this festival isn’t nicknamed the water-splashing festival for nothing!
The water is believed to have purifying purposes, but whether or not you believe that, the festival is a fun way to cool off and beat the summer heat. The festival happens across five days, but the main event in 2026 is August 16.
5. Summer Comiket
For anime and manga lovers
Summer Comiket is arguably Tokyo’s biggest and best-known pop-culture event in summer. Fans seeking to buy doujinshi (fan-made comics) or Comiket-exclusive official merchandise, cosplayers, photographers, and spectators all converge in Tokyo Big Sight for a few days of geekery.
Comiket being huge, it is not the place for window-shopping. Be sure to check your favorite artists’ or series’ websites and/or social-media accounts to know where their booths will be located.
More importantly, stay hydrated — note that Comiket is extremely crowded, so as much as you may enjoy what Comiket has to offer, don’t forget that it’s still sweltering (and packed) outside and most likely stuffy (and just as packed) inside.
Note: Previous events have featured adult-oriented content, so we wouldn’t recommend this event for families with kids — it’s more geared towards adults and die-hard fans.
6. Tokyo Idol Festival
Annual event celebrating everything J-pop
Traditional summer celebrations aren’t the only festivals to get excited about this month. Tokyo Idol Festival (TIF) — the world’s biggest celebration of idol culture — is back with another huge event this year.
The event will feature over 200 idol acts including up-and-coming artist showcases, meet-and-greet opportunities, and limited-edition merch.
7. Fireworks festivals
See the summer out with a bang
July isn’t the only month to see goosebump-inducing fireworks in Tokyo (in fact, they go on into fall). A pyrotechnic show is a quintessential Japanese experience, as flocks of fireworks chasers don traditional summer outfits, and food stalls brim with festival fundamentals.
If we hadn’t mentioned before, August is hot, and so the relative “cool” of the night is when most Tokyoites take to the streets.
Here are some of our fireworks recommendations for August:
- Edogawa Fireworks Festival
- Minato Mirai Smart Fireworks Festival
- Kōtō Fireworks Festival
- Hakone Daimonji-yaki
- Kanazawa Fireworks
8. Summer Sonic Festival
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Sweaty inner-city music fest
Summer Sonic is one of Japan’s biggest summer music festivals. Taking place concurrently over one weekend in both Tokyo and Osaka, it’s known for its diverse mix of genres and inner-city vibe.
This year’s Tokyo event features headliners such as David Byrne, The Strokes, and Jamiroquai as well as other big names like Jennie, Holly Humberstone, and Steve Lacy. In addition to the main event, there are also side parties like Midnight Sonic.
While most ticket classes for 2026 are now sold out, you could still get your hands on single-day tickets for August 15 at the time of writing.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in July 2016. Last updated in July 2026, by Patrick Balfe.
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