Written by Patrick Balfe
Tokyo events for Monday, April 20, to Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Head to Shinjuku this week for a chance to witness rare public performances from Kagurazaka’s geisha. Sumo will be making babies cry in Asakusa, and Akabane will be hosting its biggest festival of the year. On top of that, art and flower events are happening all over the city.
Kagurazaka Odori
Kagurazaka is one of Tokyo’s best-known geisha neighborhoods, and this long-running performance offers a rare chance to see its geisha and musicians in a more accessible setting at Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in Shinjuku.
Ginza Sumo Show with Dinner
Located in Ginza, Sumo Live Restaurant Hirakuza is a two-hour dinner show combining live sumo, sake, and Japanese cuisine. The menu features Halal, vegan, and kids’ options, as well as the option to customize your meal.
Nakizumo Crying Baby Sumo Festival
The babies are a year old, and the challenge is to see who cries first and becomes the winner. If they cry at the same time, the winner is determined by who cries loudest; if a baby laughs, an ogre-mask-clad priest will often step in to encourage some tears.
Akabane Baka Festival
Originally conceived in 1956 as an April Fool’s festival (baka is the Japanese word for fool or idiot), the festival now happens closer to May 1. It’s Akabane‘s biggest festival of the year, with attendance estimated at 400,000 people and features troupes from all the popular summer dance forms taking part — from samba to yosakoi and awa-odori.
This&That Café Vol. 49: Fresh Paint
The event will celebrate the unveiling of the new mural artwork by students from Temple University Japan. Come experience the art, music, and community spirit that continue to define Tokyo’s creative scene.
| At the door: ¥1,000 | ||
Tokyo Streets X – 4
This multidisciplinary exhibition will display a vibrant mix of photography (predominantly street and portrait), visual art, and DJs. Expect excellent works with themes of accessibility, inclusivity, and community — hallmarks of Tokyo Streets exhibitions.
Awakening by HAODORI
Created by Tokyo-based artist Xenia Mylash under the name HAODORI, the works turn traditional confectionery techniques into something sculptural and a little dream-like. The theme is “awakening”, and the wagashi here take the form of soft, translucent shapes that suggest petals, droplets, and other half-recognizable forms.
Drink on Paper
Drink on Paper is a low-key drink-and-draw night in Sasazuka where you can sketch, snack, and pick up a few proper art-school techniques. Hosted by Tokyo art collective Bukuro at inclusive restaurant Black Bird Eatery, Drink on Paper is a small-scale social drawing event.
| Advance sales: ¥1,000 | ||
Whisky and Spirits Festival
Run by the Whisky Culture Institute, this festival pulls together around 90 producers, importers, and bars covering whisky, gin, shōchū, and awamori.
| At the door: ¥5,000 | ||
Nico Nico Chokaigi
Nico Nico Chokaigi is a mega party that celebrates all kinds of internet content. It takes place at the Makuhari Messe convention center and features events and performances — some of which blend tradition with the latest technology.
Pirates of Tokyo Bay: English & Japanese Improv Comedy
For over a decade, The Pirates of Tokyo Bay have been creating hilarious improvised comedy scenes, stories, and songs based on audience cues.
| Advance sales: ¥2,500 | At the door: ¥2,500 | |
Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival
The best time to see the flowers is around mid-April, and you can keep up to date with the flowering status on Nezu Shrine’s Instagram. There are food and drink stalls, a market, and performances.
Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival
During the annual Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival, the wisteria is illuminated after dusk (during the height of the season). There are also food stalls and events, like tea ceremonies, taiko drumming, and ikebana displays.
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