Shimokitazawa Awaodori

Shimokitazawa's own version of the famous Tokushima dancing-in-the-streets fest may lack the clout of the humungous Koenji Awaodori (that's next weekend, in case you'd forgotten), but it's got a unique charm of its own. Teams of dancers wend their way along the main shopping streets from 6.30-8pm before dazzling the assembled crowds with special routines from 8.10pm – and then, presumably, decamping to the neighbourhood's many bars and izakaya for a celebratory drink or ten.