Tokyo Events May 2024: 5 Not to Miss

Spring is coming to a close, so best to make use of the pleasant weather in May before it begins to get uncomfortably humid in June.

We’ve rounded up the best festivals and events you’ll find in Tokyo this month, and believe us, there’s a lot going on.

For the top events in Tokyo throughout the year, check out our complete guide — organized by month.

Get Tickets To the Samurai Restaurant in Shinjuku (Up to 30% Off)

Experience one of the craziest, most colorful places in Tokyo — the all-new Samurai Restaurant, from the creators of the Robot Restaurant. Get your tickets and sit back for a wild show of lasers, lights, samurai, dancers and other uniquely Japanese weirdness.

Click here for details

1. Golden Week events

April 28–May 6

All over and around Tokyo

Food, traditional and international festivals

Golden Week, a string of holidays in late April to early May, is a welcome respite for Tokyo’s frazzled workforce, a cash cow for the travel and transport industries, and a bane (in terms of price, traffic, and crowd density at tourist areas) to travelers — all at the same time.

If you’re in Tokyo for Golden Week, it might be better to just stay where you are and check out the many events that will be held during this time (and read our guide to Golden Week while you’re at it).

Here are some of the top things to see and do, split into categories:

International festivals

Cambodia Festival (May 3–4)
Odaiba Oktoberfest (Apr. 26–May 6)
Haisai Okinawa Festival (May 3–6)

Food festivals

Niku Fes (Apr. 26–May 6)
Craft Gyoza Fes (Apr. 26–May 6)

Traditional festivals

Kurayami Festival (Apr. 30–May 6)
Kazo Citizens’ Peace Festival (May 3)
Ōme Grand Festival (May 2–3)
Koinobori at Tokyo Tower (Mar. 20–May 6)

Still stuck on what to do? We have plenty more events listed on our website.

2. Sanja Matsuri

May 17–19

Sensōji Temple, Asakusa

Tattooed men and rowdy processions

Challenge Sumo Wrestlers and Enjoy Lunch

Eat, train, and fight like a real Japanese sumo wrestler during this sumo demonstration and authentic 'Chanko Nabe' (hotpot) meal.

Click here for details

It can get rough at this festival. | Photo by Grigoris Miliaresis

Also a major Tokyo festival, Sanja Matsuri features three main mikoshi (portable shrines) in honor of the three founders of Asakusa’s famous temple, Sensōji — which is also the festival’s center of activity. The mikoshi depart from Sensōji early in the morning and are carried around town, as performers — including geisha — join in. Yakuza members are also known to show off their intricate tattoos at this rowdy, energetic festival. Meanwhile, back at Sensōji, there will be taiko performances and traditional dances by miko (shrine maidens).

Sanja Matsuri 2025 (Sanja Festival)

Dates:

Mid

May

2025

Entry:Free

Venues:

Asakusa Shrine, Sensōji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street

3. Design Festa

May 18–19

Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake

The best designers in Asia

The twice-a-year Design Festa is known as Asia’s largest art event. With over 15,000 exhibitors and 4,500 booths, this two-day fair is dedicated to all kinds of art—performance art, paintings, live drawing sessions, handmade crafts, fashion, and more. Attending in alternative fashion such as steampunk or Lolita (but not in cosplay, as it involves copyrighted characters) is very much welcome at this event.

Get tickets here!

Design Festa Vol. 59: Spring Edition

Dates:

Mid

May

2025

Price:

Adults:
Advance sales: ¥800	At the door: ¥1,000

Venue:

Tokyo Big Sight

4. Zushi Beach Fireworks Festival

May 30

Zushi Beach, Kanagawa

Sun, sea, and thousands of fireworks

Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Walking Tour

Join this food and walking tour and discover the famous Tsukiji Fish Market. Explore the outer market as you sample the area's highest-quality delicacies and finger foods.

Click here for details

Watch the sky light up. | Photo by Getty Images

A sample of what’s to come this summer, the Zushi Beach Fireworks Festival is one of the earliest fireworks festivals on the calendar. 7,000 jets of light will blast off into the sky for 45 minutes from 7:30 p.m. With one of the most impressive finales of the year, 5,000 of those fireworks will go off in the last 15 minutes.

Zushi Beach Fireworks Festival 2025

Dates:

Late

May

2025

Entry:Free

Venue:

Zushi Beach

5. Thai Festival

May 11–12

Yoyogi Park Events Square, Shibuya

The very best Thai food and live demonstrations

Check out the stage. | Photo by Alex Ziminski

Spicy foods, Thai massages, music, and mascots — this cultural festival has it all. Experience the very best Thailand has to offer, in the welcoming atmosphere of Yoyogi Park Events Square. The stage schedule will be packed with Thai dancing, Muay Thai displays, and live shows by Thai music artists.

Thai Festival 2025

Dates:

Mid

May

2025

Entry:Free

Venue:

Yoyogi Park Events Square

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in April, 2017. Last updated in April, 2024, by Alex Ziminski.

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