15 Amazing Summer Festivals to Experience in Tokyo This Year
What I love most about summer in Tokyo are its summer festivals, also known as matsuri (祭り). With their street stalls, lanterns and colorful decorations, matsuri are the perfect way to enjoy delicious Japanese street food, as well as its fascinating traditional culture and entertainment! I find that every matsuri I attend has its own unique atmosphere and energy that leaves a lasting impression.
Here's a list of 15 of Tokyo's best summer festivals, with practical information and tips that should be useful if you're planning to attend in summer 2024.
1/ Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri
Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri is a colorful summer festival in Tokyo that takes place from July 4 to 8 on Kappabashi Street, which stretches from Ueno to Asakusa.
Tanabata Matsuri, also known as the Star Festival (星祭り), traditionally takes place on the 7th day of the 7th month (or the 8th month according to the lunar calendar). According to Japanese and Chinese folklore, this is the only day of the year when the two stars in love, Altair and Vega, can meet. During this celebration, it is tradition to write Tanabata wishes (called tanzaku) on colorful strips of paper and hang them on Tanabata trees made from bamboo branches. You can see these colorful branches along Kappabashi street, and write your own wishes.
Beyond the colorful decorations, you can enjoy delicious street food from one of the many stalls along the street, as well as traditional and street performances, with the Skytree Tower in the background. Many people wear yukata, and it’s great fun to stroll along this 1.2 km-long street and soak up the festive atmosphere.
A few tips if you plan to attend:
I recommend walking from Ueno to Asakusa (rather than the other way around), to enjoy the view of the Skytree in the background.
If you have the time, be sure to visit two small nearby shrines that offer special tanabata goshuin (御朱印 - seal stamps from the shrine) during this period: the Shitaya Shrine (下谷神社) and the Yasakiinari Shrine (矢先稲荷神社).
When: 4-8 July 2024
Where: Kappabashi Dori, Matsugaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo
How to Get There: From Ueno or Inaricho station, walk for about 10 minutes to the start of the festival on Kappabashi street.
More information on this event here (website in Japanese).
2/ Zojo-ji Tanabata Matsuri
Zojo-ji temple (増上寺), one of Tokyo's main temples located in Daimon near Tokyo Tower, also holds a tanabata matsuri celebration with a magnificent candle-lighting in the evening on 6-7 July, from 6 pm to 9 pm.
During this event, hundreds of washi paper lanterns transform the staircase leading to the temple's main hall into the Milky Way.
You can write your wishes for Tanabata on a piece of colorful paper for a small fee and the temple priests will hold a special ceremony at 5:30pm on July 7, during which they will bless the wishes received.
Note that this event can be very crowded, as people try to immortalize this magnificent spectacle. It's probably best to go later in the evening, after 8 p.m., in the hope that it will be less crowded by then.
Photo by @bonjour.dora
When: 6-7 July 2024
Where: Zojo-ji, Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
How to Get There: The nearest stations are Shibakoen station on the Mita line (3-minute walk), or Daimon station on the Oedo or Asakusa lines (5-minute walk).
3/ Mitama Matsuri
First held in 1947, the Mitama matsuri takes place every year at the Yasukuni jinja (靖國神社). Although considered controversial due to its location, the festival is a vibrant and beautiful traditional celebration. It is particularly famous for the 30,000 lanterns lit at night along the path leading to the shrine. There are also paper lanterns bearing writing and artworks by personalities. In addition to the magnificent illuminations, there are dance and music performances, including traditional singing and taiko drumming.
Note that the Mitama Matsuri has gained in popularity with both Japanese and foreign visitors. If you don't feel comfortable in crowds, try to go during the week or during the day, especially in the morning.
When: 13-16 July 2024
Where: Yasukuni shrine, Kudanshita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
How to Get There: 5 minutes walk from Kudanshita station (Exit 1) on the Tozai, Shinjuku and Hanzomon metro lines
4/ Adachi Fireworks Festival
The Adachi Fireworks Festival is the first of the large scale fireworks festivals to take place in Tokyo each summer. It takes place on the banks of the Arakawa River, in Tokyo's Adachi district. With over 13,000 fireworks launched in the space of an hour, it's a magnificent show not to be missed if you are in Tokyo on the day it takes place.
A few tips:
The riverbeds offer spacious areas where to sit and admire the show, but I would still recommend to arrive a few hours in advance to secure a nice viewing spot. It's the perfect opportunity to have a picnic with friends and play cards while waiting for nightfall.
Don't rush to the closest train station once the festival is over, as it will be very crowded. I recommend that you wait about 30 minutes after the fireworks show is finished, and that you go to stations further away so that you can board a train more easily.
Check the official website in advance, as it provides lots of practical information regarding the fireworks festival.
When: 20 July 2024 (due to bad weather, the fireworks have been cancelled in 2024)
Where: Arakawa river, Kita-ku, Tokyo
How to Get There: Get off at either Kita Senju station or at Kosuge station and walk towards the river banks.
More information here (website in English).
5/ Mita Summer Carnival
Held along Mita Avenue, the Mita Summer Carnival offers a typical summer matsuri experience, with street food stalls and matsuri games for kids, with the Tokyo Tower in the background. The festival starts at 4 pm with a marching band parade, followed by several street performances. I attended this festival a few years and still remember the cheerful atmosphere.
When: 20 July 2024, from 4 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Mita Avenue, Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo
How to Get There: Walk a few minutes from Mita station on the Mita line or Tamachi station on the JR Yamanote line.
More information here.
6/ Kawasaki Daishi Wind Chimes Market
If you're looking for a lesser-known summer matsuri on the outskirts of Tokyo, I highly recommend Kawasaki Daishi Furin-Ichi, the annual festival of Japanese wind chimes (called fuurin) held in the city of Kawasaki (川崎市) at Kawasaki Daishi Temple (川崎大師 平間寺).
As well as being able to buy wind chimes from all over Japan at the market held during the event, you can enjoy food stalls and matsuri games, and visit the temple, with its beautiful pond and pagoda.
When: 18-24 July 2024, from 10 am to 6pm
Where: Kawasaki Daishi, Daishimachi, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture
How to Get There: Stop at Kawasaki-Daishi Station on the Keikyu Daishi line and walk five minutes to the entrance of the temple.
7/ Chidorigafuchi Moat Lantern Floating Festival
Since 1958, the Chidorigafuchi Moat Floating Lantern Festival has been held annually near the Imperial Palace. During this festival, over 2,000 lanterns, containing hopes and wishes for peace, float down the Chidorigafuchi moat.
Boat rides during the festival can be booked in advance via a lottery system (in 2024, the price was ¥10,000). It is also possible to buy a lantern for ¥2,000, which must be booked in advance. Even without a lantern, it's a pleasure to stroll along the Chidorigafuchi moat and admire this beautiful view.
When: 24-25 July 2024
Where: Chidorigafuchi Moat, Kitanomarukoen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
How to Get There: The closest stations are Kudanshita Station on the Hanzomon, Shinjuku or Tozai lines, or Hanzomon Station on the Hanzomon lines.
More information here (website in English).
8/ Kagurazaka Awa Odori Festival
The Kagurazaka Awa Odori festival is the biggest summer festival in the Kagurazaka area (神楽坂).
Organized over four days, the first two days of the festival focus on a houzuki market, houzuki being ground cherries used during the Obon celebrations in summer in Japan. On the following two days, Friday and Saturday evening, the Awa Odori festival takes place, during which you can admire the graceful dance originating from Tokushima prefecture in Shikoku, called Awa Odori. You can enjoy the light, joyful atmosphere and feel like traveling back in time, as groups of dancers and musicians parade through the streets and play traditional instruments.
When: 24-27 July 2024
Where: Kagurazaka street, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
How to Get There: Closest stations are Kagurazaka station on the Tozai line, or Iidabashi station on the Chuo-Sobu, Namboku, Tozai, Oedo or Yurakucho lines.
More information here (website in Japanese).
9/ Shinjuku Eisa Festival
The Shinjuku Eisa festival is quite unique, bringing Okinawan culture to the heart of Tokyo, in Shinjuku. During this festival, the Eisa dance, a traditional folk dance from Okinawa, is performed by groups of dancers who parade through Shinjuku in their traditional costumes to the sound of drums. I was thrilled by the joyful energy of this festival and highly recommend it if you're in the area. Note that the festival attracts nearly a million spectators every year, so get ready for the crowds!
When: 27 July 2024
Where: East exit area of Shinjuku Station, Shinjuku, Tokyo
How to Get There: Shinjuku station can be accessed through several lines such as the JR Yamanote line, the Keio line, the Odakyu Odawara line, the Toei Oedo line, and the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line.
10/ Ueno Summer Festival
The Ueno Summer Festival takes place for a month around Shinobazu Pond (不忍池) each summer. As well as traditional performances and events such as a paper lantern festival and taiko drum shows, you can explore the antiques market to find treasures large and small, such as vintage kimonos or traditional decorations.
As always, there will also be plenty of street food stalls with popular dishes such as yakisoba and kakigori (shaved ice with syrup).
A little bonus: as the Festival coincides with the blooming of the lotus flowers around Shinobazu Pond, try to get there in the morning if you want to see them open. It’s an enchanting sight!
When: 12 July to 12 August 2024
Where: Shinobazu Pond, Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
How to Get There: From Ueno station, walk 5 minutes to Shinobazu pond.
More information here (website in Japanese).
11/ Enoshima Lantern Festival
Photo by @bonjour.dora
Enoshima is one of the easiest day trips from Tokyo. Every summer, an amazing festival of lanterns and lights is organized, transforming this small island into a veritable fairy tale at night. Various sites across the island, such as the Enoshima Shrine, the Samuel Cocking Garden and the Iwaya Caves are illuminated by lanterns and light shows. Exploring the island is free, but tickets are required to enter the Samuel Cocking Garden and Iwaya Caves.
Note that it can get very crowded at night on weekends, not least because the shopping street called Benten Nakamise Dori Street to access the island is quite narrow. I advise you to spend the day in Enoshima and wait for the light shows to begin. For a detailed guide about what do to on a day trip to Enoshima, you can read my article “Tokyo to Enoshima: Your Guide to the Perfect Seaside Day Trip”.
Photo by @bonjour.dora
Photo by @bonjour.dora
When: 20 July - 31 August 2024, 6pm to 8:30pm
Where: Enoshima, Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture
How to Get There: Enoshima is easily accessible from central Tokyo. I usually stop at Katase-Enoshima station on the Odakyu line, with only a 15-minute walk to reach the small island.
More information here (website in Japanese).
12/ Nakano Bon Odori Matsuri
The Nakano Bon Odori Festival, held next to Nakano station, is one of Tokyo's most popular Bon Odori festivals. Bon Odori is a traditional summer dance festival held during Obon, a Buddhist custom to commemorate ancestors.
Unlike other Bon Odori festivals, which take place mainly in early evening, Nakano's Bon Odori festival starts as soon as 10 am. With a series of music and dance performances, you can learn Bon Odori dance to traditional or modern pop songs.
When: 3-4 August 2024, 10am to 9pm
Where: Nakano Central Park, Nakano city, Tokyo
How to Get There: Walk 5 minutes to the entrance of the festival from Nakano station, on the Chuo, Chuo-Sobu and Tozai lines.
More information here (website in Japanese).
13/ Asagaya Tanabata Festival
The Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri has become my favorite summer festival in Tokyo in August! Held every year since 1954, you can admire colorful decorations and giant papier-mâché figures which cover the arcade shopping street. They are cute, colorful and unique, and it’s a lot of fun to spot your favorite anime and pop culture characters, like Totoro or pokémons. And like in all summer festivals, food and drink street vendors line the streets, and you can enjoy shopping and Japanese traditional matsuri festival games.
Try to get there in the morning or on weekdays to avoid the crowds. When I visited on a Sunday, it became very busy after 2pm.
When: 7-12 August 2024, from 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Asagaya Pearl Center Shopping Arcade, Asagaya, Suginami, Tokyo
How to Get There: Closest station is Asagaya station on the JR Chuo line and Tokyo Metro Tozai line.
More information here (website in Japanese).
14/ Kiyose Sunflower Festival
Located on the outskirts of Tokyo, the Kiyose Sunflower festival is the occasion to admire over 100,000 sunflowers, called himawari. This large-scale sunflower field, roughly 24,000 square meters, offers a spectacular scenery of towering sunflowers, with a stunning contrast with the blue sky on sunny days. Attending the Kiyose Sunflower festival is also the occasion to support local farmers by purchasing fresh local vegetables and cut flowers sold at the venue.
Note that to avoid overcrowding, advance reservations are required from August 10th to 13th.
When: 6-13 August 2024, 9am to 4pm
Where: Kiyose Sunflower festival, Kiyose, Tokyo, Japan
How to Get There: Take the train to Kiyose station on the Ikebukuro or Fukutoshin lines. The festival can be reached in a 40-minute walk from Kiyose Station or by taking the free event shuttle bus, or regular buses.
More information here (website in Japanese).
15/ Kanda Myojin Noryo Matsuri
The Kanda Shrine Summer Festival, known as the Kanda Myojin Noryo Matsuri, takes place over four days in August. With its Bon odori and food stalls, you can experience the tradition of Japanese summer festivals right in the heart of Tokyo, but with a twist! As the festival aims to make connections with the popular anime district of Akihabara, during the Bon Odori session on Friday evening, you can dance to popular anime songs. I really enjoyed the lively, cheerful atmosphere of the night, with the glowing red lanterns above the crowd.
If you’d like to learn Bon Odori, note that the festival organizers share videos to practice the dances on the festival website, so make sure to check them beforehand!
When: 8-11 August 2024
Where: Kanda Shrine, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
How to Get There: The nearest stations are Ochanomizu station (8-minute walk) on the Marunouchi line of the Tokyo subway or the JR Chuo or Chuo-Sobu lines, or Yushima station (7-minute walk) on the Chiyoda line of the Tokyo subway.
More information here (website in Japanese).
A Few Tips to Enjoy Summer Festivals in Tokyo
Take a good care of your body. The warmth and humidity in Tokyo can really be suffocating, so my best recommendation is always to have water on you, protect yourself from the sun sufficiently and listen to your body’s needs when you go out. You can head to your local drugstore or to Don Quijote to find all the cooling products you need to face the Japanese summer, whether it's a shirt mist that creates an icy sensation, a refreshing eye gel mask or cooling wipes.
Be prepared for the crowds in big matsuri on weekends or firework shows. In a way, crowds are part of the experience, but if you have trouble being in a crowd, you might want to go to events on a weekday or early in the weekend.
If you’d like to look for more ideas for summer festivals and events in Tokyo, I would recommend checking websites like Time Out Tokyo or Tokyo Cheapo to find out what the upcoming events are.
To Conclude
I hope this list of 15 summer festivals in Tokyo will give you some ideas of what to do in Tokyo this summer! What I love about these festivals is how unique each one is, with its own characteristics and atmosphere.
It's also great fun to walk around Tokyo during the summer and follow the sound of the drums and cheers to a local matsuri taking place nearby.
Which Tokyo summer festival are you most excited about? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
For a complete guide on things to do in summer in Tokyo, check out my article “21 Best Things to Do in Tokyo This Summer”.
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