Obon Archives | Tokyo Cheapo

Japan has festivals all year round, but July–September is peak celebration season. Our event listings cover plenty of Tokyo’s summer festivals, but that’s just the start. Beyond the big-name events, countless smaller neighborhood celebrations fill the city all season long. Here's what to expect at a Japanese traditional summer festival, wherever you decide to go. The history: Why are there so many summer festivals? The clothes: What to wear to a Japanese summer festival Highlights The food The games Top tips Summer festival FAQs Why are there so many summer festivals in Japan? Summer in Japan coincides with Obon, which refers to the time of year when, according to Buddhist teachings, the dead return to the world of the living. During this period, people are supposed to honor the deceased by visiting their ancestral homes, cleaning their loved ones' graves, and making offerings to them. Summer festival traditions such as Bon Odori dances and fireworks festivals are rooted in Obon. These festivals welcome and celebrate the dead as they briefly visit our world, and then -- in the case of fireworks festivals or lantern-floating events -- send them off afterwards. These days, however, the focus on ancestors may be less obvious, and festivals may be more about having fun the old-school way. Traditional festivals You'll still find some Obon celebrations that are heavy on honoring the dead. Some examples are the solemn Tōrō Nagashi, a ceremony in which lanterns that represent guiding lights for the dead are floated down rivers. Asakusa observes this ceremony annually. There's also Nagasaki's Shoro Nagashi, which may be more festive and rowdy, but still very much about honoring deceased loved ones. Holidays Most companies give employees a few days off during summer. Students also go on break, so this is a good -- and expensive -- time for families to take a vacation. Like Golden Week, Obon is peak travel season. Note: In 2025, the holiday period for Obon is from August 13 to August 16. In addition, August 11 is a public holiday. Many shops and restaurants will be closed over these dates. What to wear to a Japanese summer festival Festivals don't have a dress code, so you can just show up in casual clothes. But if you want to do as local residents do, wear a yukata -- a summer kimono made of breathable material. Who knows, you might even find it more airy and comfortable than your regular clothes. Purchasing a yukata If you want to buy a yukata to keep, you won't have trouble finding one, as most department stores and supermarkets have special sections for them in summer. Flea markets are also full of them. Full sets include the yukata itself, a belt or obi, and koshi-himo, the thinner sashes to tie the yukata below the chest and at the waist. Complete your get-up with geta (traditional Japanese sandals), a drawstring bag called kinchaku, and a fan (take your pick between a sensu, a folding fan, or the non-foldable type, an uchiwa). Go all out and add flower accessories to your hair, too. Renting a yukata Having trouble getting into a yukata on your own? Try YouTube. Otherwise, it's common for hair salons to offer yukata-dressing (and even hair-styling) services in summer. But if you don't have your own yukata and don't intend on buying one, you can always rent a yukata for a day. Festival highlights Fireworks and Bon Odori are distinctly summer activities, so expect many festivals to have at least one of them. Fireworks Fireworks festivals tend to go all-out with the pyrotechnics, synchronizing them to music so you get a full show. Our top picks include the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival for its sheer size, and the Enoshima Summer Fireworks Festival for a seaside treat. Pro tip: These festivals can get very crowded. Check out our guide to Tokyo's fireworks festivals to learn about staking out a good spot. Dancing As for the Bon Odori, don't be shy to join in. Even if you think you have two left feet, the dance steps are usually quite simple. Just join the circle of people dancing around the yagura (the bandstand) and follow them. You won't be committing a major faux pas if you're out of sync or you get a step slightly wrong. The Shibuya Bon Dance is super centrally located, or for a more eclectic experience, consider the Nakano Bon Dance Festival, which features a diverse roster of performers. Festival food Food and amusement booths are also staples of Japanese summer festivals. We've got a guide to typical festival food and the best seasonal summer treats, but if there's one thing to try at a summer festival, it's kakigori, or shaved ice with syrup. On a muggy day, it's a great way to cool down. Festival games Lastly, try your hand at these Japanese summer festival games: Kingyo-sukui: Goldfish-catching with a paper scoop (make sure you have a good home for them if you win) Super ball scooping: Scooping bouncy balls, also with a paper scoop Shateki: Shooting at targets (which you win as prizes) Wanage: Ring tossing Yoyo-tsuri: Fishing for water-filled balloons, using a "fishing pole" with a paper string Tips to make the most of summer festivals in Japan Festivals are fun, but a little prep goes a long way: Cash is king. Many stalls are cash-only, so bring small bills and coins. Footwear matters, so if you’re wearing geta, break them in first or bring back-up shoes. You’ll be on your feet for hours. Mind the crowds. Big events can get packed; arrive early to stake out a spot, and expect crowded trains home. Not keen on crowds? Smaller festivals often pop up around shotengai (shopping streets) and malls, with posters near stations or on local noticeboards. Dress for heat. Tokyo summers are hot and humid, and festival grounds can feel even warmer. Bring along a small towel or tenugui and make sure to hydrate -- and we're not just talking about downing one Strong Zero after the other. Summer festival FAQs What do you do at a summer festival in Japan? At a Japanese summer festival (matsuri), people typically enjoy street food from stalls, play traditional festival games, and watch performances such as taiko drumming and dancing. Many festivals also feature parades, portable shrines (mikoshi) and fireworks. What is the biggest summer festival in Japan? If you are traveling outside of Tokyo: the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto is often considered the biggest and most famous summer festival in Japan. It dates back over 1,000 years and features elaborate floats, traditional costumes, and large-scale parades. Other major contenders include the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri and Osaka's Tenjin Matsuri. Check out our events page to catch upcoming Japanese summer festivals in Tokyo. While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in July 2016. Last updated in July 2025.

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