Things to do in Tokyo this week

Legend tells of the star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi who, separated by the Milky Way, are only able to meet once a year on the night known as Tanabata. This festival is synonymous with colourful streamer decorations, wafts of romance, and a ritual in which people write wishes on strips of paper (tanzaku) and tie them to bamboo branches.

Zojoji's version of the celebration features a beautiful candle light-up on Sunday and Monday from 6pm to 9pm. Hundreds of washi paper lanterns are arranged in the shape of the Milky Way along the staircase that leads up to the temple’s main hall.

Make sure to write down your wish for Tanabata on a colourful strip of paper, which you can get for ¥200 each. The temple priests will conduct a special ceremony at 5.30pm on July 7, where they’ll bless your wishes. 

For this special occasion, Zojoji Temple is selling a beautiful Tanabata-themed omamori lucky charm (¥3,000). If you’d like to get your hands on one, we recommend buying yours in advance via the temple’s online shop, since quantity is limited. When you’re making the purchase, don’t forget to write your name in the column for additional notes, as the priests will read out your name at a special prayer on the night of July 7. The omamori will be shipped after the event (from July 8).

For more information, see the event website.

Asakusa's Kappabashi – the famed mecca for Tokyo chefs and homecooks looking to kit out their kitchens – is festooned with vibrantly coloured streamers and decorations during this annual summer festival. Though it runs from July 4 to 8, the best time to visit the Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri is over the July 5-6 weekend, when local businesses put out stalls and hold parades and street performances.

The street parade on July 5 will begin at 1.15pm near the Ueno Gakuen Junior and Senior High School, and slowly make its way through Kappabashi Main Street towards Asakusa. Expect to see police and primary school marching bands plus a special appearance by the Metropolitan Police's all-female motorcycle brigade.

On Sunday July 6, Kappabashi will be hosting street performances of all sorts throughout the day, ranging from Sado-Okesa dances from Niigata to Awa-Odori dances from Tokushima.

Based on traditional folklore, Tanabata (Star Festival) is celebrated across Japan each summer between July and August, the actual day of which varies according to region. Marking the earliest possible day of Tanabata (July 7), the shopping arcades of Hiratsuka city near Tokyo are adorned with around 100 giant colourful streamers, which are hung from giant ornamental balls called the kusudama.

The Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival is regarded as one of the top three of such events in the Kanto region, drawing almost 2 million visitors over the three days. Aside from the impressive street decorations, you can expect parades, live performances, vendors selling local products and plenty of technicolour-fuelled buzz over the July 4-6 weekend.

Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu is hosting a dazzling fireworks show on July 2, with 14,000 rockets to be launched during the hour-long event. Now in its fourth year, this music-themed display will revolve around the best hits of J-pop, from the Showa era to the present day. 

Expect to see fireworks exploding in sync to the nostalgic tunes by artists such as Kazumasa Oda, Yuming and more. The stadium opens at 5pm, and the main fireworks display will start at 7.30pm.

Tickets for premium seating and premium group seats are selling out fast, so check the website for ticket details.

Eco-conscious Tokyoites descend on Yoyogi Park for the quarterly Earth Garden, which this time will boldly transform into a three-day night market, joining hands with the popular Tokyo Night Market.

As always, the festival will feature a wide array of shopping booths offering nature-inspired crafts, lifestyle goods, and more, alongside organic food stalls and hands-on workshops. After sunset, enjoy a freestyle bon odori dance session under the stars, accompanied by live performances from Tsugaru shamisen player Sayo Komada, lo-fi indie pop artist Auto&mst, and Suzumeno Tears, a duo performing traditional Japanese and Balkan folk songs.

Yebisu Garden Place’s annual outdoor cinema returns this summer to the roofed Center Plaza, offering 15 free screenings on astroturf with food trucks on site. Held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until July 6, Picnic Cinema combines film, food and fitness into one ultimate urban picnic experience.

Open-air mobile theatre company Kino Iglu is organising and curating this year’s film selection, with the 2025 theme being ‘Open Your Heart’. Reflecting the uncertainty of our times and a growing tendency to shut ourselves off from others, the line-up features emotionally resonant films chosen for their powerful messages and ability to stir the heart. While shows start at 7.30pm, we recommend arriving early to secure a good spot to lay down your mat. Check the event website for the full list of films.

Popular restaurants from the Ebisu area – all winners of the local ‘Best Dish to Pair with Yebisu Beer’ gourmet contest – including Italian wine bar Il Gentile, will be setting up stalls at Clock Square for the ‘Foodies’ Picnic’ held alongside the outdoor cinema. Grab a bite and unwind with great food and drinks on the spacious artificial grass lawn at the central plaza.

For fitness-minded folk, free morning and evening yoga sessions are also held on the aforementioned lawn. Slots are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Check the event website for details.

While you’ll find an abundance of vintage and thrift stores in Shimokitazawa, the trendy neighbourhood also hosts a regular flea market at the Shimokita Senrogai open space, just a few minutes’ walk from the station, beside the Shimokitazawa Police Box. 

Expect to find all sorts of treasures and bargains including crafts and other handmade knick-knacks, jewellery and, of course, secondhand and vintage clothing. For when you’re feeling peckish, the market also features a café as well as a line-up of food trucks.

They’re taking a cue from the leader of the free world in calling this the biggest, most tremendous comedy weekend Tokyo has ever seen, with only the best people and the best jokes – and we’re honestly too in awe not to agree. Tokyo Comedy Bar’s three-day celebration of the Stars and Stripes encompasses a whopping six shows, kicking off with two on Thursday evening, including an extravaganza featuring an all-American line-up of comedians performing entirely in Japanese.

Many of Thursday’s stars will be returning to the Shibuya club for the first half of Friday’s double-header, the Stand-Up Comedy Showcase at 7.30pm. This will be followed at 9pm by what’s arguably the highlight of the weekend: a no-holds-barred roast battle in which Team USA takes on the rest of the world. Expect heated contests on the relative merits of, for instance, Tokyo vs Los Angeles, Salaryman vs Florida Man, and Japanese AV contra American porn – with that last position defended by none other than award-winning adult actress Alexis Fawx.

Things conclude on Saturday with another double bill: the first part is headlined by Tokyo’s most eligible American-adjacent comedian bachelor Ryo Hayashi, while the latter promises ample quantities of ‘chaotic patriotism, anti-patriotism, and freedom-fueled laughter’. And yeah – there’ll be plenty of beer and hot dogs too.

Studio Ghibli’s immersive sculpture exhibition is returning to Tokyo to captivate a new generation of fans. Featuring 3D recreations of iconic scenes from hit animated films such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle and Porco Rosso, the show is a new and improved version of Studio Ghibli’s first ever art exhibition, held in Tokyo back in 2003. 

Running from May 27 to September 23 at Warehouse Terrada’s B&C and E halls in Tennozu, the exhibition will feature mock-ups of scenes such as Chihiro’s first crossing over the bridge into the bathhouse in Spirited Away, and the thrilling scene from Ponyo where the titular character rides the waves to catch up to Sosuke in the storm. The main highlight, however, is arguably the true-to-size mock up of Porco’s Savoia S-21 seaplane from Porco Rosso.

When hunger strikes, head over to T-Lotus M, a waterfront event space adjacent to the exhibition venue, for some ham ramen inspired by a similar dish in Ponyo. Tickets can be purchased in combination with the Ghibli Museum or in conjunction with hotel accommodation plans.

For more details and ticketing information, check the event website. (Japanese only)

Looking for a weekend getaway to see hydrangeas in nature without leaving Tokyo proper? Check out the hydrangea festival at Wonderful Nature Village next to Tokyo Summerland, taking place from June 7 to July 6. Here you’ll find a sea of white hydrangeas blooming on the slopes of a hill. This section of the sprawling park alone features over 15,000 hydrangeas and they are expected to hit peak bloom around late June.

Aside from the white Anabelle hydrangea, the park also cultivates beautiful blue hydrangeas Kurohime and Ezohoshino that are indigenous to Japan. These varieties will likely reach peak bloom between mid- and late June.

While you’re there for these summer blooms, why not beat the heat with a refreshing splash at the nearby Tokyo Summerland? This super popular water park on the fringes of Tokyo boasts a large indoor pool for all weather conditions as well as a 650m-long outdoor pool with flowing water. (Note: advance tickets are required for Tokyo Summerland.)

To get there, take the Keio line from Shinjuku to Keio Hachioji Station. From there, hop on a local bus and you'll reach Wonderful Nature Village in about 35 minutes. For more details, including other bus connections from Keio Hachioji and Akigawa stations, see the venue website (in Japanese only).

The hydrangea festival takes place daily from 9am to 5pm.

Enjoy a late night stroll under an artificial Milky Way at Tokyo Tower’s main deck. As an alternative experience for astronomy enthusiasts, Tokyo Tower has recreated the Milky Way using 29,000 LED lights, so you can gaze up at the (artificial) stars in the middle of the city.

Every 15 minutes, the blue LED lights that represent the starry sky turn pink and gold, while the Milky Way changes from white to a rainbow of seven colours. This special effect makes the Tokyo skyline look even more mesmerising, as if our beloved city is under a magical starry night.

The event takes place from 9.00am until 11pm.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building in Shinjuku serves as the backdrop for a jaw-dropping and record-breaking projection mapping show. Covering an area of a whopping 13,905sqm, the after-dark spectacle has been certified by Guinness World Records as the largest permanent display of its kind in the world.

The nightly showcase features a range of visual wonders created by a mix of local and international artists. Some shows are inspired by Tokyo’s rich history, while others draw on themes like the lunar cycle. 

From April 26, ‘Tokyo Gundam in the Future’, a brand new projection mapping show featuring a Gundam with a newly reimagined Mobile Suit colour scheme, will begin on weekends and holidays every hour from 7pm (7.30pm from May 10). Be sure to check the event website for more details.

No trip to Tokyo or Japan is complete without a shopping spree at the iconic Don Quijote. But if browsing the aisles isn’t enough to satisfy your Donki cravings, you’ll want to book a table for this playful Don Quijote-themed afternoon tea at Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya.

Available at the hotel’s 11th-floor all-day dining restaurant, Gallery 11, this fun afternoon tea spread is inspired by Don Quijote’s beloved mascots, Donpen and Donko, with an array of colourful sweets and fun surprises. 

Desserts include unique creations like the passion fruit chocolate and pink pepper marshmallow, honeycomb red velvet cupcake and candy apple filled with a rich caramel – all served on a mini skateboard. You can also enjoy a tastebud-tingling cake made with popping candy featuring images of Donpen and Donko, alongside a savoury herb roast chicken served with lemon and caper sauce.

Time to don those wizardly robes. From April 18 to September 8, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo are bringing the set of 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' to life to celebrate the film's 20th anniversary. The tour will feature recreations of props, costumes and locations from the film, such as the Great Hall, the Prefects' Bathroom and the Goblet of Fire itself. Themed food and merch will be available for purchase.

Times and ticket prices vary, so be sure to check their website for availability, as tickets must be purchased in advance and currently are only available until June 30.

For over a decade, My Hero Academia has captivated fans worldwide with its gripping narrative, compelling characters and high-octane battles. Created by Kohei Horikoshi, the manga debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2014 and quickly became a cornerstone of modern shonen storytelling. Its success spawned a multimedia empire, including an anime adaptation by Studio Bones, multiple animated films, spin-off manga and an upcoming live-action adaptation.

With the anime’s grand finale set to air in late 2025, Kohei Horikoshi’s ‘My Hero Academia Original Art Exhibition’ serves as both a celebration of and farewell to a franchise that has left an indelible mark on the world of anime and manga. The expansive exhibition, set to run from June 21 to August 31 at Creative Museum Tokyo, promises an in-depth look at the creative process behind the beloved series. Visitors will have access to original manga pages, concept art and exclusive materials from Horikoshi himself.

Step into the masterful world of Japan’s most celebrated woodblock print artist this spring at ‘Hokusai: Another Story’, held at Shibuya’s Tokyu Plaza. Utilising the latest in high-definition imaging, spatial audio and Sony’s state-of-the-art sensory technology, the exhibition promises to bring Hokusai’s iconic works to life.

The main highlight of the exhibition is the vivid scenery of Hokusai's ‘Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji’, with ultra-high-definition visuals and Sony's Crystal LED displays recreating the intricate details of the work. Visualise, hear and feel the sensation of jumping on puddles or walking on dry sand, thanks in part to haptic floor technology developed by Sony PCL. Then, follow a path illuminated by bamboo lights to reach a room where you can browse master replicas of iconic ukiyo-e prints. Each replica is crafted using DTIP (3D Texture Image Processing) technology that scans every fibre of the traditional washi-paper originals to preserve the works digitally. This multisensory experience allows visitors to not only see, but truly feel, the world Hokusai depicted.

Tickets must be purchased in advance through the event website.

This spring and summer, Japan’s ancient aesthetic heritage meets the cutting edge of animation. On at the Tokyo National Museum from March 25 to August 3, ‘Immersive Theater on Neo-Japonism: From Ancient Art to Anime’ is an ambitious 24-minute visual experience that journeys through 10,000 years of Japanese creativity.

Projected across four massive walls fitted with towering 7-metre screens, the ultra-HD installation explores the evolution of Japanese artistic expression from the clay figures of the prehistoric Jomon period to the ink paintings of the Edo period (1603–1867), culminating in the vibrant dynamism of contemporary anime. Brought to life by the innovative minds at digital art outfits Panoramatiks and Cekai, the experience highlights how Japan’s animist worldview and refined sense of space continue to influence global pop culture.

The exhibition draws poignant connections between ancient scrolls, classical motifs, and works by anime legends like Osamu Tezuka, Isao Takahata and Mamoru Hosoda, serving up a distinctive blend of history, art and imagination.

Kenjiro Okazaki (b. 1955) is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans painting, sculpture, architecture, landscape design and even robotics. His artistic practice defies categorisation, blending visual abstraction with conceptual depth. Internationally recognised, he directed the Japanese pavilion at the Venice Biennale’s Architecture Exhibition in 2002 and collaborated with choreographer Trisha Brown for the performance I Love My Robot (2007).

‘Time Unfolding Here’ at the Museum of Contemporary Art is the first large-scale retrospective of Okazaki’s work in Tokyo. By presenting his interdisciplinary approach, which bridges art, architecture and philosophy, the exhibition seeks to reveal how artistic creation can serve as a method of understanding the world. A must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of art and critical thinking, the show will feature new works as well as landmark pieces from Okazaki’s long career, illustrating the evolution of his exploration of form, perception and space.

Spanish-born Joan Miró (1893-1983) has long been considered one of the most important artists of the twentieth century; revered for his poetic transformation of nature-derived shapes such as the moon and stars into abstract symbols. In this major retrospective, the various phases of Miró's career are presented together in Japan for the first time. Overseen by the Fundació Joan Miró, based in the artist's birthplace of Barcelona, this exhibition sees masterpieces held in collections across the world brought to Tokyo, to form a comprehensive overview of an artistic practice that encompassed painting, ceramics, sculpture and more.

Post-impressionistic early works, such as the 1919 self-portrait, give way to a resolutely surrealist approach as Miró becomes involved in the artistic current then sweeping Paris, where he spent much of the 1920s and '30s. The subsequent three decades then see the artist develop and hone the singular style with which he is most associated, exemplified here by exhibition highlight 'The Morning Star' (1940) and other selections from his 'Constellations' series. Finally, the show highlights how, even in his final years, Miró continued his lifelong search for new modes of expression.

The exhibition is closed on Mondays (except April 28, May 5) as well as May 7.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- marks a bold new chapter in the world-conquering franchise. As the first-ever collaboration between two titans of Japanese animation – Evangelion creators Studio Khara and Gundam’s Sunrise – this highly anticipated production fuses two distinct creative legacies into a dynamic reimagining of the mecha genre.

To celebrate this ground-breaking project, Anime Tokyo Station is hosting an exclusive exhibition from May 24 to August 11. Visitors will be treated to a curated collection of scene stills from the film version, immersive life-size displays recreating pivotal moments, and production materials such as original scripts. Standees of key characters and mobile suits bring the universe to life, while an AR photo zone invites fans to pose alongside motifs from the series for an interactive experience.

With free admission and content tailored for both long-time fans and newcomers, the show offers the perfect opportunity to step into the world of giant robots.

Though he died at just 37, Vincent van Gogh left behind a body of work that revolutionised modern art; an oeuvre celebrated for its swirling brushstrokes, bold colours and raw emotional force. Yet the Dutch master’s legacy is shaped as much by his turbulent life as by his luminous canvases, and this narrative of suffering and passion continues to captivate audiences around the world.

With ‘A Renewal of Passion’, the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone presents its first-ever exhibition dedicated to the post-Impressionist painter. Running until November 30, the display features key works from the museum’s own collection alongside historical and contemporary responses to Van Gogh’s art, highlighting how his fervent creativity has inspired generations of artists across continents and eras.

The show emphasises Van Gogh’s influence in Japan, where his deeply personal style resonated as early as the Meiji era (1868–1912), and highlights modern reinterpretations by artists such as Yasumasa Morimura and Fiona Tan. Composed of paintings, installations and archival materials, the exhibition offers a poignant meditation on the enduring power of Van Gogh’s vision in a changing world.