10 best summer Bon Odori festivals happening in Tokyo 2025

While it may be tempting to just stay indoors to avoid Tokyo’s sweltering summer heat, the Marunouchi Summer Matsuri is giving us many reasons to be out and about instead, with a host of events taking over the picturesque Gyoko Street opposite Tokyo Station.

Held for two days on July 25 and 26, this fun-filled event revolves around a Bon Odori yagura stage equipped with a cooling mist fan. Everyone is welcome to join the communal Bon Odori dance against the striking backdrop of Tokyo Station, and the cold mist will surely feel like a treat. Moreover, on both days from 7.40pm (7pm on Saturday), DJ Duke Tomono will be spinning city pop and disco tracks from the yagura, transforming the bustling plaza into a party zone.

At the festival site, expect to see food trucks selling street grub from around the world, such as Vietnamese banh mi, American hot dogs and Korean sotteok sotteok skewers. Plus, there will be two shaved ice vendors serving up cooling treats to help you beat the heat.

Don’t miss the opening ceremony on July 25 (5pm-7pm) – there will be a demonstration of a traditional water sprinkling ritual known as uchimizu.

Join in and dance to the infectious rhythm of taiko drums at the Ebisu Bon Odori Festival on July 25 and 26. This summer tradition, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025, will surely attract large crowds, as the event is held right in front of Ebisu Station, occupying a fairly spacious area outside the West gate.

For two days, a towering yagura stage will take over the taxi and bus drop-off zone while the entire area is closed off to traffic, allowing the public to move and dance around freely. Food stalls are making a welcome return this year, a first since the pandemic, joined by a new kids' arcade and a kakigori shaved ice stand. Expect all the classic summer matsuri treats, from crispy fried dumplings and cucumber on a stick to refreshing shaved ice desserts.

Kawachi Ondo is a folk song that originates in what is now the Osaka region and later spread all over the country. The lyrics can be modified to touch on anything from epic tales to current events, and the best singers are able to improvise freely.

The Sumida Kinshicho Kawachi Ondo Bon Odori on July 30 and 31 is where you can experience a comprehensive introduction to the art of Kawachi Ondo. This Kinshicho festival is now in its 43rd year.

Summer in Tokyo is defined by festivals and one of the most spectacular is the Bon Odori dance, which takes place in several neighbourhoods across the city. Originally a way to honour the spirits of the dead, Bon Odori is now a fun, engaging family-friendly affair.

The celebration at Tsukiji Hongwanji from July 30 to August 2 is one of Tokyo’s most popular Bon Odori festivals. So don a yukata and join in the dancing crowd circling the yagura stage from 7pm to 9pm (6pm to 8.30pm on Saturday).

Not to worry if you don’t know the steps – just mimic the dance moves of the locals next to you. The festival is also famous for its delectable food selection from nearby Tsukiji Market, so go early and dance up an appetite for a feast.

Put on a yukata and head over to Sunshine City’s 46th Bon Odori dance festival. The lively outdoor event, which is accompanied by invigorating taiko drum beats, takes place around a six metre-tall yagura turret decorated with colourful festive lanterns. 

Inexperienced participants can simply copy the moves of the professionals who’re dancing at the top of the turret. The night will feature various traditional dances, including the Tokyo Ondo and Otsuka Monogatari Ondo, offering a glimpse into local dance traditions.

There will be eight food stalls and a children's matsuri game area this year, where you can enjoy traditional Japanese festival grub and games like shateki shooting and superball fishing for free. The event takes place from 7pm to 9.15pm at Sunshine Hiroba, which is on the rooftop of Sunshine City's Alpa shopping mall.

In the event of rain, the event will be cancelled.

The Bon Odori festival at the hip Shimokitazawa returns this summer on August 9 and 10. On both days, you can dance to the neighbourhood's original Bon Odori song 'Shimokita Ondo'. There's an official practice video up on YouTube, so make sure to learn the steps before heading over.

At the far end of Shimokitazawa Station's east exit square, you’ll find over two dozen stalls offering crowd-pleasing street food like taco rice, karaage fried chicken, hamburgers, yakisoba noodles and crepes. The stalls open at 1pm, but the Bon Odori festivities run from 4pm to 8pm. In the meantime, head to the yagura turret stage area for live stage performances and a free samba show from 2pm on both days. 

Kanda Shrine’s Noryo Matsuri takes place over three days in August. The all-encompassing summer fest is set to feature everything from Bon Odori dancing to the obligatory matsuri grub and even a small beer and sake fest which starts a day earlier on August 7.

During the Bon Odori session on Friday (4.30pm-8.30pm), you can dance to popular anime songs, while the ones over the weekend (from 5.30pm) feature Kanda Shrine’s original song ‘Kanda Myojin Ondo’. The organisers uploaded a practice video to its YouTube channel, so make sure to learn the steps before heading over. The festival ends at 8.30pm on all three days.

Bon Odori Dances will not be held on Thursday, August 7.