Tokyo Events This Week: Dance, Laugh, Rock

This Tokyo events weekly round-up is out of date! The latest one is here.

Tokyo events for Monday, August 12 to Sunday, August 18, 2019

This week, Shimokitazawa and Yokohama are host to odori festivals—traditional summer street parties focused around choreographed song and dance performances. Or enjoy a night of comedy, discussing (and swapping) books, or rocking out at Summer Sonic, one of Japan’s biggest music festivals.

Even in a modern city like Tokyo there are still some areas that preserves the quality and lifestyle of times gone by. Yanaka is one – click here for details

Suggested Activity

Awaodori dance in Shimokitazawa — Awaodori dancers in Shimokitazawa | Photo by Chris Kirkland

Tokyo English Book Exchange #13

Meet up with fellow bibliophiles for Tokyo Cheapo’s 13th English Book Exchange. Come with at least one book to swap, then grab a drink and mingle. Who knows what printed treasure you might find!

Tokyo English Book Exchange #13

Dates:	13th Aug, 2019
Entry:	Free

Shimokitazawa Awa Odori Festival

Awa Odori is a parade-like festival where choreographed groups perform traditional Japanese dances and songs throughout the streets. The ever-chic Shimokitazawa neighborhood is holding its own version of this summertime classic throughout the Ichibancho shopping district.

Shimokitazawa Awa Odori Festival

Dates:	Mid Aug, 2020
Entry:	Free

Craft Beer & Comedy

Good food, great beer and belly laugh-inducing English stand-up comedy is the perfect way to kick-start your Saturday evening in Roppongi.

Craft Beer & Comedy

Entry:
Dates:	17th Aug, 2019
Entry:	Adults: On the door: ¥1,500

Minato Mirai Bon Dance Festival

Swing by Rinko Park in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai area on Friday or Saturday evening for bon odori dancing, street food, a beer garden and beautiful views of the illuminated Yokohama Bay Bridge.

Minato Mirai Bon Dance Festival

Dates:	Mid Aug, 2020
Entry:	Free

Summer Sonic 2019

Summer Sonic is one of the biggest music festivals of the summer. This year’s headliners include Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Rita Ora, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Chainsmokers and more. Get your tickets, then read our guide on how to get there from Tokyo.

Summer Sonic 2020

Dates:	Mid Aug, 2020
Entry:	¥15,000 – ¥39,000

“We Cool?”

A new art exhibition at Harajuku’s UltraSuperNew Gallery examines the culture around modern technology—it helps keep us connected, but has it brought us closer together?

How to Hike Up and Down The Peak – read more

Hong Kong Cheapo