July 2026 events in Tokyo

Heralding the arrival of the summer farming season, the Narita Gion Festival has been a key celebration of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in the Chiba prefecture city of Narita for over 300 years. Taking place near Narita International Airport, this event is held annually to pray for prosperity and a good harvest while seeking the blessing of the temple’s main deity, Fudo Myoo. 

On all three days, ten beautifully carved and decorated floats plus one mikoshi (portable shrine) will be taken on a vibrant parade on the city streets, including the area surrounding JR Narita Station and the main road leading to Naritasan Shinshoji. The festivities begin on Friday July 10 with an opening dance ritual at Naritasan Main Hall at 1.30pm to pray for the safe proceedings of the festival. From there, the floats will begin their procession around town, with each having its own designated route. 

The festival highlights include a large-scale traditional dance performance involving all the floats, set to happen in front of JR Narita Station on Saturday July 11 at 9am. This event effectively kicks off the festival’s second-day festivities. 

Be sure to stay until the evening on the last day, Sunday July 12, as the festival will reach its climax with floats reconvening on the Omotesando road for an energetic race up the town’s main thoroughfare towards Naritasan Shinshoji. For this night procession, the floats will be illuminated with lanterns, giving them an even more awe-inspiring and mystical appearance amidst the frenzy.

For the full festival programme, see the event website or pamphlet.

Despite being 80km away from central Tokyo, the Narita Gion Festival is easily accessible as the events are held just minutes away from Keisei-Narita station. To get there, hop on the limited-express Keisei Line from Ueno or Nippori Station. The journey will take roughly an hour and ten minutes. The trek from Narita Airport is far more convenient, as there is a direct train service running every 15 minutes.

If the many Tokyo summer fireworks displays are a little too crowded and urban for your taste, head on down to the beach in Kamakura for this small-scale but fun and energetic local version. Over the span of 50 minutes, expect to see 2,500 fireworks launched from offshore boats for a spectacular low-altitude showcase of explosions. The colourful explosions are made even more impressive by the reflections off the surface of the water, and unimpeded views are not hard to find.

One of Tokyo's biggest annual festivals is celebrating its 75th edition this year. Held at its namesake park, Ueno Summer Festival is a month-long programme packed with a diverse array of traditional events, live performances and seasonal festivities. These include a traditional lantern-floating event on July 17 at 7pm, as well as Japanese taiko drum street performances on July 20 and 25 (from 1pm and 3pm) at Ueno Park’s Shinobazu Pond Bentendo Temple.

That said, the festival offers more than just classic Japanese celebrations. The antique market, which will run every day from July 10 to August 11 (from 2pm to 8pm) at the gates of Shinobazu Pond Bentendo Temple, for instance, is a great place to look for small treasures and summer mementoes.

For a picture-perfect spot to capture your summer memories, don’t miss the nearby Hasumi Deck lookout, adorned with more than 4,000 wind chimes that create a soothing summer soundtrack.

As always, there will be plenty of food and drink stalls encircling Ueno Park's Shinobazu Pond (from 3pm to 9pm daily), selling popular street eats like yakisoba and kakigori shaved ice – a staple summer treat.

Check the event website for the full programme (in Japanese only).

Tokyo gets a new summer festival this July in the form of Future Frequencies Festival, a collaboration between local music promoters Beatink and artist Daito Manabe. The two-day event includes performances from big-name local and international acts, including London’s Joy Orbison, recently reformed electronic outfit The Sabres of Paradise and delightfully weird jazz-funk duo Knower. The event will also see appearances by Kassa Overall and Hakushi Hasegawa, plus a collaborative set from electronic artist, producer and DJ Nosaj Thing and Daito Manabe. 

In addition to the live performances, of which more are set to be announced in the coming weeks, the event will also feature exhibitions, panel discussions and workshops. One- and two-day tickets are available; they’re on sale as of May 22 and are likely to sell out.

Art, crafts, fashion, accessories and much more – it’s all here at the annual Handmade in Japan Festival, a massive two-day celebration of artisanal crafts and creativity. The event attracts over 3,000 artists, designers and craftspeople in addition to thousands of amateur DIYers from all over Japan.

Shop for one-of-a-kind items at the market, including clothing, homeware, handicrafts and interior decorations. Or pick up a new skill at one of the many workshops – think lamp making, building a herbarium or crafting jewellery. You can also watch live painting performances, drop in on music shows and fill up at the food stalls. It’s a full-day affair.

One-day tickets go for ¥1,500 (advance purchase ¥1,300) while two-day tickets are ¥2,500 (¥2,000). You can buy tickets in advance from KKDay.

Featuring 100,000 bright yellow himawari, the Kiyose Sunflower Festival is the closest a Tokyoite can get to frolicking through a flower field in July. Located an express train ride from Ikebukuro, the festival is known for its colourful flowers that contrast with the bright post-rainy season blue sky.

This large-scale sunflower field, roughly 24,000 square meters in size, is used every summer by local farmers to grow sunflowers as a natural fertiliser for agricultural produce. Take in the spectacular scenery of towering sunflowers while supporting local farmers by purchasing fresh local vegetables and cut flowers sold at the venue.

Free shuttle bus services connecting Kiyose Station and the venue depart from Kiyose Station North exit bus stop, in front of the Drug Seims pharmacy. Parking spaces are limited to those who have reserved in advance.

For details, check the event website.

Yasukuni Shrine’s annual Mitama Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s largest Obon festivals. First held in 1947, the festival is best known for its 30,000 lanterns: 10,000 large lanterns light the approach to the shrine while 20,000 smaller ones are set up at the inner shrine grounds. This year, the lanterns will be illuminated daily from dusk until 9.30pm between the days of July 13 and July 16.

During this four-day festival, Yasukuni Shrine’s outer gardens will host a series of daily events, such as a noryo summer folk dancing festival around the bronze statue of Masujiro Omura (times unannounced for 2026) and a beautiful display of Sendai Tanabata ornaments. Plus, you’ll also find a congregation of food trucks selling street food throughout the festival period.

Don’t miss the Awa Odori dance and taiko drumming performances on Monday July 13 at 7.30pm and 8.30pm, respectively. Arguably the highlights of the festivities, these performances are joined by the spectacular Nebuta float processions taking place on Thursday July 16 from 6.30pm.

The event takes place from 5pm to 9.30pm daily.

Get ready to get your groove on this summer at Daibon on Saturday July 18, a modern rendition of the traditional Bon Odori festival held at Hachiman Shrine in Yamatocho. Here, the traditional Bon Odori festivities are fused with 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.

Celebrate Tanabata (Star Festival) this summer by simultaneously launching up to 3,500 sky lanterns beside Saitama Stadium 2002. 

Tanabata is a traditional Japanese 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.

While artist line-up details for 2026 are unannounced, expect to see music performances each day by artists such as Chris Hart and Chay on the entertainment front, as well as festival favourites such as shateki shooting games and food stalls serving traditional matsuri grub. While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to write and hang your wish on a tansaku paper slip. 

Lanterns are handed out every day until 8pm. Tickets are available for purchase on the official website.

Expect a colourful, caipirinha-fuelled, energy-packed weekend as the Brazil Festival takes over Yoyogi Park's event square on July 18 and July 19. There will be plenty of dancing and live music, featuring samba percussion ensemble Grupo Misto Quente, Brazilian multi-instrumentalist and singer Davi Zew's, Brazilian band Via Brasil, samba dancers, as well as capoeira performers. The abundant food stalls will be serving plenty of grilled meat, churros and fruity beverages.

Listen to the soft, soothing sounds of wind chimes at Kawasaki Daishi Temple’s annual wind chime market, happening from July 17 to 21. The 31st event this year will feature over 800 types of wind chimes collected from all over the country. The chimes, made of a variety of materials such as ceramics, glass or metal, each produce their own unique sound. While you’re there, don’t forget to purchase the temple’s very own version – the ‘Daruma wind chime for warding off evil’ – which promises to do just that.

Tokyo's biggest fireworks display is returning this summer on Saturday July 25. The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is also Japan's oldest fireworks event, dating back to 1733, when it was staged as part of a ceremony to pray for victims of a severe famine the previous year. It turned into an annual event in 1978 and attracts close to a million people every year.

This year, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival starts at 7pm and will run for around 90 minutes, with a staggering 20,000 shells of fireworks. The fireworks are launched from two sites on the Sumida River around Asakusa Station: one between Umaya Bridge and Komagata Bridge and the other between Kototoi Bridge and Sakurabashi Bridge. You can check out the locations on the festival website.

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.

A total of 23 Eisa dance troupes are expected to take to the streets around Shinjuku Station. Performances during the day (2pm-5pm) will take place near the station's east exit on the pedestrianised Shinjuku Avenue, while evening performances (6pm-8pm) will be held near Yodobashi Camera, Odakyu Halc, Shinjuku Mitsui building and Moa 4th Street.

Expect to see dancers twirling their way through the crowds to the beat of portable taiko drums. This will surely be a boisterous and colourful event to brighten your Saturday. Slap on some sunscreen, grab a handheld fan and get there early: it's guaranteed to be crowded.

Check the event website for event schedules.

While it’s usually one of Tokyo’s more peaceful neighbourhoods, Kagurazaka gets a little frenetic each July, as hordes of yukata wearers and Awa Odori dancers flood the streets for four days of traditional festivities. Taking place every summer for over 50 years, this neighbourhood festival is split into two parts.

The festival kicks off on Wednesday July 22 with a hozuki (ground cherry) lantern plant market. Food stalls will be open from 5pm to 9pm on both July 22 and 23. Children can take part in traditional festival games, such as fishing for colourful water-balloon yo-yos, while adults can join a guided tour of Kagurazaka’s back alleys (¥1,000) in yukata or pick up a Chinese lantern plant at the market held at Bishamonten (Zenkokuji) Temple.

The main festivities take place over the weekend, with a two-hour Awa Odori procession scheduled for 7pm on both Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, there will also be a children’s Awa Odori procession from 6pm to 7pm along the main street.

Immerse yourself in a sake-tasting adventure this summer at one of Tokyo's premier sake festivals. Held three times a year, Washu Fes celebrates the culture and tradition of sake-making. For the festival's 31st edition, 53 breweries from around Japan will set up shop in Nakameguro, where you can sample over 250 varieties of sake. Some of the participating sake makers such as Asahara Brewery and Iwase Sake Brewing are based around the Kanto region, while others hail from faraway prefectures like Aomori or Kumamoto.

The theme of the 31st edition is 'Beat the summer heat with a refreshing cup of ice-cold sake', so expect a curated selection of summer sake and crisp sparkling varieties perfect for the warmer months – including everything from fruity ginjo-shu to unpasteurised namazake, plum wine and cloudy nigori sake. If you find something you like, you’ll be able to purchase full bottles of your favourite sake on-site.

Besides sake tasting, the programme will feature stage performances including a traditional chindon-ya street advertising band and a unique shamisen and Okinawan kachashi folk dance duet. Tasting tickets for residents of Japan are ¥3,600 on Rakuten Travel Experiences and ¥4,500 for tourists with foreign credit cards via Stripe. The ticket includes a tasting cup, a sake textbook, an original fan, a bottle of water and a pouch to carry the cup home. With limited space available, it's wise to arrive early (reception starts 20 minutes before opening).

It may not be the biggest of Tokyo's many fireworks events, but Tachikawa's hanabi is certainly one of the more comfortable ones. Held at the spacious Showa Kinen Park, the festival always draws massive crowds, so make sure to arrive early to secure the best viewing spot.

This year’s event on July 25 will see around 5,000 shells of fireworks launched during the hour-long show from 7.15pm. Paid seating with the best views will be sold online on a first-come, first-served basis (2026 reservation details have not been released yet). 

On the day of the fireworks display, the park will open to the public free of charge.

The event is subject to cancellation in severe weather conditions.

The Bon Odori festival in hip Shimokitazawa returns this summer on July 25 and 26. 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. 

Held every year for more than half a century along the Edogawa River, Katsushika's popular fireworks festival, taking place on July 28, is known for the unusually short distance between the launch site and the spectator area. This allows visitors to watch, hear and feel the impact of the around 20,000 fireworks up close.

It also features the spectacular 'Niagara Falls' and 'Digital Star Mine' crackers, both supposedly representing the latest in firework technology. On your way to the river, take a stroll along the picturesque street leading from Taishakuten Temple for a glimpse of what summer in Edo – the former name of Tokyo – might have felt like.

Summer in Tokyo is defined by festivals, and one of the most spectacular is Bon Odori, a traditional dance celebration held in neighbourhoods across the city. Originally a way to honour the spirits of the dead, Bon Odori has evolved into a lively, family-friendly event.

The celebration at Tsukiji Hongwanji from July 29 to August 1 is one of Tokyo’s most popular Bon Odori festivals. Don a yukata and join the crowds dancing around 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.

Join in and dance to the infectious rhythm of taiko drums at the Ebisu Bon Odori Festival on July 31 and August 1. This summer tradition, which is being held for the 71st time in 2026, always commands a large crowd, 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. Festival food stalls are set up near Shake Shack, and are joined by a 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.