Asakusa Toro Nagashi

First held at the 1946 'Festival of Recovery' when much of Tokyo was still in ruins, the mesmerising Toro Nagashi lantern light-up was revived in 2005 after a 40-year hiatus. Rooted in the tradition that floating lanterns guide the spirits of the departed safely back to the afterlife after obon, the event is now held annually on the Asakusa side of Sumida Park, near Azumabashi Bridge and the Tokyo Cruise Asakusa Pier. You can light a lantern for ¥2,000, but enjoying the magnificent view of glittering fires on the Sumida River on a cool summer night is completely free.

Lanterns are sold in advance at the nearby Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, at a discounted price of ¥1,700 until Aug 15.