June 2019 events in Tokyo
Plan your June in Tokyo with our events calendar of the best things to do, including early-summer festivals, food events and rainy season fun
June in Tokyo is best described as damp, as this is usually when the dreaded rainy season rolls along. Although you'll have to wait a little longer until the city's summer festivals really kick into gear, all is not lost: June is usually packed with interesting exhibitions, gigs and openings, plus seasonal favourites like Tanabata, hydrangea and rose festivals, as well as firefly-viewing events all over the city. Grab an umbrella and make sure you don't miss out with our guide to all the best events going on in Tokyo this June.
Our June highlights
Aloha Tokyo
Get your tropical vibes ready to party at this year’s Aloha Tokyo Festival. Now in its 15th year, this Hawaiian festival brings together a colourful array of entertainment, food and drinks. You can expect a non-stop live entertainment program across two stages on Friday and three on Saturday and Sunday, filled with Hawaiian dance groups, pop singers, folk music, yoga classes and ukelele players...
Iwami Kagura Performance
Hailing from the gorgeous rural town of Iwami in the western part of Shimane prefecture, the Iwami Kagura dance is a traditional, mythological performance that’s the pride of the region. Every autumn, a troupe of Iwami Kagura dancers perform at various temples in the region, and many Shimane-born folks make the pilgrimage back home just to watch them...
Manpaku
Held at Showa Kinen Park, this massive food festival really piles it on. There are 10 different areas, including a dedicated meat section to seafood ones, with anything from juicy steaks and fresh-out-of-the-water seafood donburi to healthy salads on offer...
Oedo Hawaii Festival
Hula dancing meets taiko drumming at this eclectic fusion festival that celebrates both Hawaiian and Japanese culture in Nihonbashi over one weekend in early June...
Shamanz at Moon Romantic
Featuring Spanish guitar, a trumpet and a stunningly seamless blend of Spanish, Japanese and English lyrics, Shamanz is one of the hottest Latin-infused Japanese rock bands out there (not that the camp is especially large). To celebrate the 'pre-release' of their latest EP, the group is taking the stage at the beautiful Moon Romantic in Aoyama...
Torigoe Matsuri
See the huge four-ton mikoshi being shuttled through the streets near Kuramae and Asakusabashi at this traditional festival known for its intense fights that invariably break out over who gets to carry the monster. The main event is on Sunday evening, while Saturday sees local neighbourhood associations parade their own, much smaller portable shrines around the area...
Gin Festival
Gin fan alert: you’d want to make a beeline for Tokyo’s biggest gin festival happening on the second weekend in June. With a picturesque canal-side location along Tennozu Isle, the festival offers tastings of around 200 craft gins from Japan and abroad, as well as a cocktail bar, merchandise (pick up the event’s signature tee – ‘We're all connected by Juniper’), and plenty of food to balance the drinking...
Vietnam Festival 2019
This year’s instalment of the popular Vietnam Festival is focussed on showcasing the Vietnam of ‘now’, with a program abundant in things to do, watch, buy eat and drink. There’ll be ample quantities of bánh mì, 333 Beer and pho; a lineup of live entertainment ranging from traditional arts to pop singers and idol groups; as well as plenty of market stalls selling colourful handicrafts and knick-knacks...
Tokyo Roast Battle
One of Tokyo's regular English-language comedy nights, the Tokyo Roast Battle sees foreign residents and visitors alike going head-to-head in a comically ego-crushing showdown. Now in its 6th iteration, this edition will see Bobby Judo taking on Bill E. Miller as the main event, plus four 'fight card' rounds from some other local comedians...
Speakeasy TYO 5 Year Anniversary
Known for its underground ragers, including a collab with Netflix during the typhoon a few years back, Speakeasy TYO is celebrating its 5th anniversary in style. Held at the fashionable Hotel Koé Tokyo, the anniversary party will be going from 4pm, featuring a few special guest DJs as well as some spinning from the Speakeasy crew...
Basement Jaxx
International music festival Somewhere, a showcase of the latest global developments in house and electronic music, returns to Shibuya Stream Hall from June 5-7. This time, it’s bringing in the big guns: popular British electronic music duo Basement Jaxx, who won the BRIT Award for Best Dance Act in 2002 and 2004...
Guest Bartender Antonio Lai at Rooftop Bar, Andaz Tokyo
If you've been following the hype around Asia's 50 Best Bars, you'll know that the region is full of stellar bars serving up world-class cocktails. This June, Tokyo has the pleasure of welcoming one of Hong Kong's award-winning mixologists, Antonio Lai of Quinary, the bar that's in the top 10 of the aforementioned list. Antonio will be shaking up some of his special 'Multisensory Mixology' cocktail creations at Andaz Tokyo's 52nd-floor Rooptop Bar...
International Tokyo Toy Show
As a kid, did you ever dream of a place where you could try every imaginable new toy – for free? Well it’s about to come true. Head over to Tokyo Big Sight for Japan’s largest annual toy exhibition. This event introduces thousands of the latest kid-friendly gizmos, gadgets and games, as well as books, food, fluffy toys and phone applications, not to mention mini-rides and toy demonstrations...
Short Shorts Film Festival
One of the biggest international short film festivals in Asia returns to Tokyo in June, taking place at Omotesando Hills Space O, Laforet Museum Harajuku and Roppongi Hills Mori Tower throughout the month. More than 9,000 films from over 140 countries competed for entry into the main programme and around 250 shorts will be screened during the festival...
Zipang
This annual open-air festival in Chiba’s Shirahama Flower Park takes place right next to the beach and combines art with house and techno beats in a resort-like ambience. The live act this year is the salsa band Banderas, and rocking the DJ booths are CMT, DJ Hikaru, Keihin and many others...
Gold Finger since 1991
The femme-first lesbian party ‘Gold Finger since 1991’ is an iconic staple of Nichome nightlife and this women-only shindig is currently split over two venues on the third Saturday of every month. Kick off your evening at Bar Gold Finger with karaoke plus an all-you-can-drink plan between 6pm and 9.30pm for a flat fee of ¥2,000, then dance your way next door to Aisotope to find your Miss Right (or Miss Right-Now)...
Detective Pikachu at Pokémon Cafe
If you're a Pikachu fan, you'll want to head on over to the Pokémon Cafe as they've released a menu based off the new Hollywood blockbuster, 'Detective Pikachu'. The items on the menu resemble the characters from the live-action film including a Detective Pikachu Macaroni and Cheese to a Pikachu and Psyduck combo served with waffle fries...
Our Parks Toranomon Hills Yoga Spring
Starting yoga can be hard, especially for people with little background knowledge on this fitness philosophy. To get more people interested in the ancient art, yoga classes are organised at the grassy central plaza of Toranomon Hills every Monday and Sunday for anyone to attend...
Gustav Klimt: Vienna - Japan 1900
Most people know Gustav Klimt (1862-1918), arguably Austria’smost famous painter, as the artist of ‘The Kiss’ (1907), but his oeuvres offer much more. Klimt was raised in a cultural era informed by classical traditions, but in the 1890s he turned away from the norms of historicism and aesthetical conventions in search of modernity...
Tokyo Sky Resort Wild Beach Shinjuku
Summer is just around the corner but the ocean is far away from central Tokyo. For those wanting to experience the beach life without leaving the conveniences of the big city, Lumine Est is once again turning a part of Shinjuku into a beach-themed beer garden this year...
Free events in June
Speakeasy TYO 5 Year Anniversary
Known for its underground ragers, including a collab with Netflix during the typhoon a few years back, Speakeasy TYO is celebrating its 5th anniversary in style. Held at the fashionable Hotel Koé Tokyo, the anniversary party will be going from 4pm, featuring a few special guest DJs as well as some spinning from the Speakeasy crew. Artist Shinjiro Tanaka will be performing live painting to complete the vibe. RSVP is a must, so head over to their site for a quick sign-up.
Salsa Street Festival
First held in 2015, this multinational celebration takes on Yoyogi Park again with food, drinks, music and merriment, plus all the salsa dancing you can possibly endure over a single weekend. Grab a spicy taco and wash it down with a beer or mojito before moving onto the vast selection of rum and tequila. Less alcoholically inclined visitors will appreciate the stalls selling handicrafts and other summery accessories.
Vietnam Festival 2019
This year’s instalment of the popular Vietnam Festival is focussed on showcasing the Vietnam of ‘now’, with a program abundant in things to do, watch, buy eat and drink. There’ll be ample quantities of bánh mì, 333 Beer and pho; a lineup of live entertainment ranging from traditional arts to pop singers and idol groups; as well as plenty of market stalls selling colourful handicrafts and knick-knacks.
Tokyo Opera City – Lunchtime Concerts
Head over to Tokyo Opera City's concert hall and enjoy their monthly lunchtime performance entirely free of charge. This 45-minute recital, which is part of the ‘Visual Organ Concert’ series, usually consists of four pieces. Expect stellar acoustics from the 3,826-pipe organ, which holds pride of place in the pyramid-like space that's all decked out in a stunning oak wood finish. Since no reservations are required, you can simply arrive around 11:30am and grab a seat in the giant concert hall. Check the calendar on the official website for further details.
Torigoe Matsuri
See the huge four-ton mikoshi being shuttled through the streets near Kuramae and Asakusabashi at this traditional festival known for its intense fights that invariably break out over who gets to carry the monster. The main event is on Sunday evening, while Saturday sees local neighbourhood associations parade their own, much smaller portable shrines around the area.
Fermentation Tourism Nippon
Fermentation is a process that is almost indispensable to Japanese food. Sake, miso, soy sauce and natto cannot exist without fermentation. But there are also many other fermentation techniques and practices from around the country that are little known outside their native regions. This exhibition at the d47 Museum attempts to features the various local fermented specialties in a group show. Curated by fermentation experts, the local food found at the exhibition are also available for sale. The adjacent restaurant, on the other hand, will also serve fermented food and sake.
More June events
Speakeasy TYO 5 Year Anniversary
Known for its underground ragers, including a collab with Netflix during the typhoon a few years back, Speakeasy TYO is celebrating its 5th anniversary in style. Held at the fashionable Hotel Koé Tokyo, the anniversary party will be going from 4pm, featuring a few special guest DJs as well as some spinning from the Speakeasy crew. Artist Shinjiro Tanaka will be performing live painting to complete the vibe. RSVP is a must, so head over to their site for a quick sign-up.
Salsa Street Festival
First held in 2015, this multinational celebration takes on Yoyogi Park again with food, drinks, music and merriment, plus all the salsa dancing you can possibly endure over a single weekend. Grab a spicy taco and wash it down with a beer or mojito before moving onto the vast selection of rum and tequila. Less alcoholically inclined visitors will appreciate the stalls selling handicrafts and other summery accessories.
Vietnam Festival 2019
This year’s instalment of the popular Vietnam Festival is focussed on showcasing the Vietnam of ‘now’, with a program abundant in things to do, watch, buy eat and drink. There’ll be ample quantities of bánh mì, 333 Beer and pho; a lineup of live entertainment ranging from traditional arts to pop singers and idol groups; as well as plenty of market stalls selling colourful handicrafts and knick-knacks.
Tokyo Opera City – Lunchtime Concerts
Head over to Tokyo Opera City's concert hall and enjoy their monthly lunchtime performance entirely free of charge. This 45-minute recital, which is part of the ‘Visual Organ Concert’ series, usually consists of four pieces. Expect stellar acoustics from the 3,826-pipe organ, which holds pride of place in the pyramid-like space that's all decked out in a stunning oak wood finish. Since no reservations are required, you can simply arrive around 11:30am and grab a seat in the giant concert hall. Check the calendar on the official website for further details.
Torigoe Matsuri
See the huge four-ton mikoshi being shuttled through the streets near Kuramae and Asakusabashi at this traditional festival known for its intense fights that invariably break out over who gets to carry the monster. The main event is on Sunday evening, while Saturday sees local neighbourhood associations parade their own, much smaller portable shrines around the area.
National Treasures of To-ji Temple: Kukai and the Sculpture Mandala
The To-ji Temple was founded by Emperor Kanmu in 794 , following the relocation of the capital to Kyoto, and it became a symbol of divine protection. Meanwhile, a Japanese priest called Kukai was travelling to Tang-dynasty China to study the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism. Upon returning to Japan in 823, Kukai was granted control of To-ji by Emperor Saga, turning the temple into a focal point of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. This exhibition will present artefacts handed down at To-ji, with a focus on the numerous items associated with Kukai himself. Highlights include magnificent sculptures and paintings, as well as works of calligraphy and decorative artworks of Esoteric Buddhism.
Anahera feat. MaRLo
Top Australia-based DJ MaRLo makes his highly anticipated return to ageHa in Shin-Kiba. After first mesmerizing the crowds at Anahera two years ago, MaRLo returns to the event, joined by Armada music’s Ruben de Ronde, who achieved fame through the radio show ‘A State of Trance’. The event should also not be missed by eSports fans, as they will also be treated to a Winning Eleven soccer tournament in celebration of the UEFA Champions League. The entire Island Area of ageHa will be converted into a giant public viewing platform. Enjoy the dance floor and then watch the best eSports athletes thrash it out on the big screen. // !function(d,s,id){var Js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="https://zaiko.io/widgets/all.js.php";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","ZAIKO-jssdk"); // Time Out Tokyo Tickets2019-06-01Anahera @ ageHaBUY NOW
Iwami Kagura Performance
Hailing from the gorgeous rural town of Iwami in the western part of Shimane prefecture, the Iwami Kagura dance is a traditional, mythological performance that’s the pride of the region. Every autumn, a troupe of Iwami Kagura dancers perform at various temples in the region, and many Shimane-born folks make the pilgrimage back home just to watch them. This summer, you can catch the traditional dance in Tokyo for one day only at Theater 1010. It involves elaborate make-up, costumes and effects – including giant ‘snakes’ – and brings to life legends from Japan’s two oldest mythological tomes: the Kojiki and the Nihon-Shoki chronicles.
Oedo Hawaii Festival
Hula dancing meets taiko drumming at this eclectic fusion festival that celebrates both Hawaiian and Japanese culture in Nihonbashi over one weekend in early June. The underground (and properly air-conditioned) Belle Salle hall will see a good 80 acts showcasing everything from taiko drumming and shamisen, swordsmanship and Japanese dancing to hula and traditional Hawaiian music, while the consumables are set to range from loco moco bowls to washoku (we're hoping for some poke...)
Aloha Tokyo
Get your tropical vibes ready to party at this year’s Aloha Tokyo Festival. Now in its 15th year, this Hawaiian festival brings together a colourful array of entertainment, food and drinks. You can expect a non-stop live entertainment program across two stages on Friday and three on Saturday and Sunday, filled with Hawaiian dance groups, pop singers, folk music, yoga classes and ukelele players – yes, even Eden Kai from Terrace House will make an appearance on his ukulele. There’ll be around 50 stalls selling Hawaiian fashion like tropical-print dresses, bathing suits, sarong and t-shirts, plus tote bags, jewellery and homeware. The food offerings keep things vibrant, with fresh salads, coconut prawns, curry rice and rainbow-coloured drinks. If you’re pining for some Hawaiian beach action but stuck in Tokyo, this is the next best thing.