Tokyo Events May 2023: 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 me, there’s a lot to get through.

1. Golden Week

April 29–May 7

All over and around Tokyo

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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. 28–May 7)
Haisai “Okinawa” Festa (May 3–7)

Food festivals:

Niku Fes (Apr. 29–May 8)
Craft Gyoza Fes (Aprl 28–May 7)

Traditional festivals:

Meiji Shrine Spring Grand Festival (Apr. 30–May 3)
Kurayami Festival (Apr. 30–May 6)
Kazo Citizens’ Peace Festival (May 3)
Ōme Grand Festival (May 2–3)
Koinobori at Tokyo Tower (Mar. 24–May 7)

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

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2. Kanda Matsuri

May 11–17

Kanda Myōjin Shrine, Akihabara

tokyo festivals may — Kanda Matsuri is one of the biggest festivals in Tokyo. | Photo by Grigoris Miliaresis

Held during odd-numbered years and alternating with the Sanno Matsuri, Kanda Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s three major Shinto festivals. The main event takes place on the weekend of May 13–14. It starts at Kanda Myōjin — one of Tokyo’s famous shrines — on Saturday morning with a grand procession of over 200 mikoshi (portable shrines) and people in traditional clothing, and goes around the neighborhoods of Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Otemachi. The next day’s parade features mikoshi from different neighborhoods and communities.

The other events that comprise Kanda Matsuri, such as ceremonies to transfer the shrine’s deities to the mikoshi, are smaller in scale and do not take place all day.

Kanda Matsuri

Mikoshi procession in the Kanda Festival

Dates:

Mid

May

2025

Entry:Free

Venue:

Kanda Myojin Shrine

3. Sanja Matsuri

May 19–21

Sensōji Temple, Asakusa

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

Also a major Tokyo festival, Sanja Matsuri features three main mikoshi 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 2024 (Sanja Festival)

Dates:

Mid

Late

May

2024

Entry:Free

Venues:

Asakusa Shrine, Sensōji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street

4. Design Festa

May 20–21

Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake

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 — so art enthusiasts are sure to find something that suits their tastes here. 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. 57 – Spring Edition

Dates:

Mid

Late

May

2024

Price:

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

Venue:

Tokyo Big Sight

5. Zushi Beach Fireworks Festival

May 26

Zushi Beach, Kanagawa

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 firework 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.