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With the recent heat, it finally feels like summer is officially here to stay. And with the city packed with festivals and fireworks, there’s plenty to look forward to throughout the warmer months. This coming long weekend includes Sea Day, making it the perfect excuse to head to one of the many beaches near Tokyo – or stay in the city and experience one of its lively traditional festivals. From joyous Bon Odori dances to atmospheric lantern light-ups, here are the festivals you shouldn’t miss.
Sendagaya Bon Odori Festival
July 17-18
Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine is celebrating a Bon Odori festival on the evenings of July 17 and 18. You can expect food stalls set up by local businesses, as well as games and activities for children. Plus, of course, the requisite communal dancing.
Come at 4pm to learn the choreography, and you can join in one of the Bon Odori dances happening at 5.30pm, 7pm or 7.50pm (5.30pm, 6.45pm and 8pm on Saturday).
Daibon
July 18
Get ready to get your groove on at Daibon on Saturday July 18, a modern rendition of the traditional Bon Odori festival held at Hachiman Shrine in Yamatocho. Here, the festivities include a line-up of DJs and contemporary artists, merging the timeless customs with the energetic pulse of new-wave beats.
Watch as the festival comes alive with live DJ sets, which have in the past featured eclectic talents like Chinbantei Goraku Shisho and the invigorating performances of Korean percussionists. Daibon takes the typical Bon Odori experience a step further, creating a fusion of sounds that strikes a chord with revellers of all ages.
The event will be postponed to July 19 in the case of rain.
Jiyugaoka Noryo Bon Odori Festival
July 18-20
The public square in front of Jiyugaoka Station is hosting a massive Bon Odori festival between July 18 and 20. Expect lively dancing to begin at 6.30pm each night to the tune of Bon Odori classics such as ‘Tokyo Ondo’ as well as local favourites like the 'Jiyugaoka Kouta' folk song and the 'Tanko-bushi' coal mining tune.
Want to be prepared? You can learn the dances before visiting by checking out one of their tutorial videos.
Tanabata Sky Lantern Festival
July 17-23
If you need a break from all the Bon Odori dancing, head to Saitama for a magical Tanabata celebration. Celebrate the Star Festival this summer by simultaneously launching up to 3,500 sky lanterns beside Saitama Stadium 2002.
Tanabata is a traditional festival where people write their wishes on strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches. This seven-day event, however, puts a modern spin on the custom. The sky lanterns are illuminated with LEDs instead of candles, making them safer and more family-friendly. At 8.30pm, the lanterns are released into the night sky, but unlike traditional floating lanterns, they remain tethered with strings, allowing them to be easily controlled and retrieved afterwards.
Expect daily live music performances by artists such as Chris Hart and Chay, along with festival favourites including shateki shooting games and food stalls serving traditional matsuri grub. While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to write your wish on a tanzaku paper strip and hang it on a bamboo branch.
Lanterns are handed out every day until 8pm. Tickets are available for purchase on the official website.
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