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The spring holiday season is upon us and Tokyo is gearing up for another glorious Golden Week, packed with food festivals, art exhibitions, floral splendour, outdoor cinemas and so much more.
So packed, in fact, that deciding what to do and what to skip can induce some serious FOMO; our full roundup of certifiably great Golden Week events includes a dizzying 44 entries.
That’s why we’re also bringing you this best-of-the-best list with Time Out Tokyo editors’ personal favourites – tried and tested happenings extremely unlikely to disappoint. Some of them will leave you with lasting memories, others with a belly full of gyoza and beer. Regardless, they’re all great reasons to get out of the house or hotel room and enjoy the city in what’s usually superb spring weather.
1. Ome Grand Festival, May 2–3
Picked by: Christopher House, Associate Editor
What is it? The Ome Grand Festival is a massive two-day celebration of epic proportions that certainly lives up to its name. Each of Ome's neighbourhoods parades a dashi float through the streets. Musicians sit atop the floats in traditional garb, while costumed dancers move to the beat. Things really heat up when the floats get close to one another and a mini-dance battle ensues.
Musical shenanigans aside, you can feast to your heart’s content at the hundreds of food and drink stalls scattered throughout the area serving up local delicacies.
Why I recommend it: The festive energy of an entire city celebrating all at once is unmatched. Plus, since Ome is a bit of a journey – about 90 minutes west of central Tokyo on the Chuo Line – you can make a day trip of the experience and enjoy the Shiofune Kannonji Azalea Festival while you’re there.
2. Fujinohana Monogatari Ofuji Festival 2026, until May 20
Picked by: Kaila Imada, Digital Editor
What is it? A wisteria festival in Tochigi prefecture’s Ashikaga Flower Park, one of our favourite spots to admire the cascading flowers that peak around Golden Week. During the Ofuji Festival, you can see around 350 trees in a range of colours, along with vibrant roses and azaleas.
A must-see is the park’s magnificent 150-year-old wisteria tree, or ofuji, which is lit up in the evenings and surrounded by still water that reflects the colourful flowers. Its canopy covers about 1,000sqm and features a jaw-dropping 80,000 purple blossoms.
Why I recommend it: Ashikaga makes for an easy day trip from the city, and if it’s photo-worthy views you’re after, there’s no better place to be during Golden Week. I recommend staying until evening for the magical wisteria illumination, which gives the flowers an otherworldly glow. There are also plenty of souvenirs and wisteria-themed treats to enjoy, including purple soft serve ice cream.
3. Craft Gyoza Fes, April 29–May 6
Picked by: Shota Nagao, Editorial Assistant
What is it? Craft Gyoza Fes in Komazawa Park invites you to spend an entire day sampling some of Japan’s best gyoza. The festival offers more than 30 different styles of the quintessential Japanese dumpling, from Italian-inspired tomato gyoza to keema curry gyoza and even gyoza with miso and wasabi-flavoured meat fillings. There’s no entry fee, so you can just pay as you go.
Why I recommend it: If you only have time for one food-related event during Golden Week, make it this one. The variety of gyoza on offer is remarkable, so be sure to peruse the menu before visiting – both to appreciate each restaurant’s inventive offerings and to plan your stops in advance. The festival is deservedly popular and gets crowded fast.
4. Brutalismus 3000, May 5
Picked by: Jasmina Mitrovic, Staff Writer
What is it? Brutalismus 3000 are touching down in Tokyo. The Berlin duo have built a cult around a sound that hits like hard techno with a cracked-pop brain, pulling old club references, blown-out rave energy and sharp hooks into something that feels both trashy and futuristic in the best way. This long-awaited Japan stop brings one of Europe’s most talked-about live acts to the city with special guests still to come.
Why I recommend it: Victoria Vassiliki Daldas and Theo Zeitner know how to make electronic music feel nasty, physical and fun again. If you like your nights loud, a little unhinged and impossible to stand still through, this one’s already speaking for itself. Tickets go on sale April 26 – don’t miss out.
5. Kurayami Matsuri, May 5
Picked by: Ili Saarinen, Deputy Editor
What is it? Ranking among the oldest shrines in Tokyo, Okunitama Shrine in Fuchu was a key site of worship in ancient times, when it stood at the centre of Musashi province (today’s Tokyo area). But it’s got another claim to fame too: it’s home to one of the region’s ‘three great bizarre festivals’.
The Kurayami Matsuri – literally, ‘Darkness Festival’ – earned its name thanks to the Edo-period (1603–1868) practice of holding the main parade after the city’s lights had been turned out. These days, you needn’t worry about missing your last train home: the parade leaves the shrine at the more reasonable hour of 6pm on May 5.
Why I recommend it: The Kurayami Matsuri lets you enjoy all that’s great about a Japanese summer festival – centuries-old traditions, community spirit, booze-sodden joie de vivre, more guilty-pleasure street food than you can shake a chopstick at – without any of the suffocatingly sweaty summer weather. The aforementioned parade deserves its highlight status, too, with eight mikoshi (portable shrines) carried through the shrine grounds and around the jam-packed streets of central Fuchu to the beat of massive taiko drums on wheels.
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