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Tokyo’s hot summer is just around the corner, and after all the grey, rainy days the past few weeks, a visit to an exuberant traditional festival will definitely help boost your mood. This weekend (July 26-28) will be a packed one, as it boasts a range of spectacular summer events. So don't miss out: before you head over to one of the three colourful fireworks festivals on Saturday (Jul 27) evening, make sure to drop in on the massive Eisa Festival in Shinjuku from noon and cheer on the dancers dressed in Okinawa-style costumes. And if you're still raring to go the next day, go admire tens of dozens wind bells out in Adachi.
Summer is the best season to experience traditional Japanese culture, whether it's at a large-scale hanabi (fireworks festival) or a neighbourhood matsuri (festival). So change into a yukata or jinbei and get ready for your ultimate summer adventure at this weekend's top traditional festivals – and the best part is, they are all free.
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Sumida River Fireworks Festival (Jul 27)
Japan’s oldest fireworks festival dates back to 1733, where it was held in memory of the victims of a severe famine the previous year. It turned into an annual event in 1978 and is now Tokyo’s biggest hanabi, with close to a million people oohhh and ahhing over some 22,000 rockets lighting up the night sky.
Shinjuku Eisa Festival (Jul 27)
Eisa is a dance from Okinawa usually performed to mark the end of the Obon period (an annual Buddhist event to honour one’s ancestors). Like most things Okinawan, it's been enthusiastically embraced by the rest of the country, as demonstrated by this Shinjuku parade. More than 20 eisa dance troupes are expected to take to the streets around the east exit of Shinjuku Station to beat portable taiko drums and twirl their way through the crowds – definitely a boisterous and colourful event to brighten your Saturday.
Tachikawa Fireworks Festival (Jul 27)
It may not be the biggest of Tokyo's many fireworks displays but Tachikawa's hanabi is certainly one of the more comfy ones. Hosted at the spacious Showa Kinen Park and taking place for the 61st time this year, the festival always gathers massive crowds, so make sure to arrive early in order to reserve your viewing spot. The 2019 edition will see around 5,000 fireworks shot up during the hour-long show. If you've got cash to spare, consider booking a seat right underneath the action.
Fuurin Matsuri (Jul 23-Aug 5)
Find a pretty wind bell made of glass (fuurin) at this annual festival taking place at Adachi's Nishiarai Daishi temple. Craftspeople from all over the country will be peddling their wares, exhibiting a staggering variety of colours, shapes and sounds. As well as shopping for wind bells, you can also join a wind-bell painting workshop and watch live performances.
Hachioji Fireworks (Jul 27)
This western city's fireworks party is a relatively small-scale affair (3,500 rockets will be launched), but it makes up for the lack of size with an interesting variety of explosions.