Tokyo events for Monday, June 12 to Sunday, June 18, 2023.
Rainy season, tsuyu in Japanese, is very much upon us, but don’t let it dampen your spirits. We’ve cooked up a great list of events that will have you singing in the rain.
Grab your rainboots and umbrella and head to the last-chance hydrangea festivals or snuggle up warm with a free movie viewing. No matter your predilection, there’s always something to do in the city.
Note: Make sure to check the weather before you head out, some of these events may be canceled in storms or rain.
Taiwan Festival Tokyo
A Taiwan food festival in the heart of Ueno Park. Peruse the various sweet and savory food stalls. And don’t leave without trying the Taiwanese favorites. This year, the theme is “retro Taiwan”, so you can expect to see Taiwanese sweets, goods, and memorabilia from the past.
Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia
A festival celebrating all things film, SSFF & Asia will be screening around 200 short films from around the world as they compete in a series of competitions. Most tickets are free — minus the opening ceremony at ¥3,500 — and can be reserved on the official website. All online viewings are also available for free.
Takahata Fudōson Hydrangea Festival
Get that shot of hydrangeas (ajisai in Japanese) framing a pagoda while enjoying some typical matsuri (festival) food and events. There will be several events including a tea reception (¥500 per cup) on certain dates, a judo and karate tournament, a haiku competition, a flea market on June 11, and an antique market on June 18.
The Oedo Antique Market
If antique shopping is your thing, then “the largest outdoor antique market in Japan” is for you. It’s a regular event held on the first and third Sunday of each month. And yes, it really is big. Note that the market will be canceled if it rains.
Nerd Nite Tokyo #50: Quantifiably Experienced
Do you like TED Talks? Do you want to listen to an intellectual discussion with a glass of wine or a pint of beer? Then head to Nerd Nite Tokyo for your monthly dose of wisdom — and fun!
| Advance sales: ¥1,000 | At the door: ¥1,000 | |
Tokyo River Clean-Up
A chance to do something good, meet new people, and have a great day out in Tokyo. Tokyo River Friends organizes regular litter-picking events on the banks of the Arakawa and Edogawa rivers.
Weekend Language Meetup in Akihabara
Come hang out in a café in Akihabara and boost your Japanese skills. The WeLearn Community makes learning a new language fun and inexpensive. Japanese teachers for different levels play card and board games together with you in English and Japanese. You can also experience cultural activities such as learning yo-yo from a specialist.
Pizza Party @ Baird Beer Taproom
Baird Beer Taproom has the best of both worlds: a great selection of craft beer and crispy, perfectly charred pizza. More Than Music creates a winning combination by also adding the smooth vocals and acoustic guitar music of Tama Tsuboi into the mix. Expect a mix of Latin, reggae, and rock sounds.
Kick back and enjoy your Sunday with top-notch craft beer, artists, and plenty of delicious pizza.
| Advance sales: ¥5,000 | At the door: ¥6,000 | |
Katsushika Iris Festival — last chance!
Head to Katsushika Ward in Tokyo for the yearly iris festival taking place at Horikiri Shobuen Garden and Mizumoto Park. The Horikiri Shobuen Garden boasts 6,000 iris plants and 200 varieties, while Mizumoto Park is home to 14,000 flowers and 80 varieties.
Odawara Castle Hydrangea and Iris Festival — last chance!
While the irises may be past their peak, the hydrangeas are still blooming at this year’s Odawara Castle flower festival. A mix of two beautiful flowers — hydrangeas and irises — in the same color scheme turns Odawara Castle into a pastel paradise.
Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival — last chance!
3,000 hydrangeas will be in bloom around Hakusan Shrine and nearby Hakusan Park. Entry is free and there will be a lot of festivities, including a concert, mikoshi (portable shrine) procession on June 18, stalls every weekend, free toothbrushes — really — and sketching meetups.
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