Things to do in Tokyo this week

Asagaya has been holding its own distinctive Tanabata festival for 70 years now – complete with extravagant kusudama ornaments and a colourful curtain of wind-swept streamers, but the event has moved with the times. In recent years, the papier-mâché decorations dangling from the ceiling of the Pearl Center shopping arcade have included modern characters like Godzilla, Chiikawa, Buzz Lightyear and even Donald Trump.

The decorations are there to be seen all day long, but many people wait until dusk to go and enjoy them. That's when the shopping street comes alive with a host of food and drink stalls offering Japanese festive fare.

Known as one of the three great festivals of Edo (along with the Sanno and Kanda festivals), the matsuri at Fukagawa’s Tomioka Hachimangu shrine takes place annually, but is celebrated in its full glory only once every three years.

The festival, which boasts 380 years of history, is well known for its unique water-splashing tradition. People enthusiastically throw water at the mikoshi (portable shrines) as an act of purification, drenching everyone in the vicinity, thus creating a playful and cooling experience, especially in the summer heat.

As the full version of the festival was last celebrated in 2023, this year you can expect a scaled-down – but still impressive nonetheless – version of the festivities. The main event, which is a mikoshi parade featuring Japan's heaviest mikoshi at two tonnes, will be held on Sunday August 17 from 7am to 5.05pm. Note that there will be no water splashing this year.

The festivities in the shrine grounds begin on August 13 and continue until August 17, with notable highlights including a jazz performance on August 13 (3pm) and the koto and shamisen performance on August 15 (4pm). 

For more information including the festival schedule, check the shrine website.

Kabukicho’s Bon Odori festival is happening again this year and it's taking over Cine City Square in front of Tokyu Kabukicho Tower for two days. The event is led by Ageha Bijyo, a professor and expert in Japanese folk dance with involvement in some of the country's most prestigious folk dance associations and festivals. 

There’s no need to feel intimidated if this is your first Bon Odori. Ageha will coach you with a step-by-step guide on how to perform the Bon dance – and not just the classic Bon Odori but also a modernised version with pop songs as well. Japanese drum idol group Tokyo Otome Taiko will contribute to the festivities with a taiko drum performance. Moreover, don't miss the unpredictable and comical stage performances by the Blue Man Group, a special appearance to coincide with their Japan tour at the nearby Milano-Za. New for 2026, expect to also see Godzilla join in the action with a large statue of the monster at the event square.

The event is free, so put on your best yukata and come join in!

With around 6,000 fireworks shells, Koto Ward’s annual hanabi festival may not be as large as some of Tokyo’s other fireworks events, but its scenic riverside setting more than makes up for it. Head to Arakawa Sunamachi Riverside Park for a spectacular show launched just 150m from the viewing area. As the event falls on a public holiday this year, expect bigger crowds than usual.

Seating reservations are required to access the venue. While prices are yet to be announced for 2026, ticket usually start at ¥5,000 per seat. More details are to be announced on July 1 via the official city website.

What this music festival lacks in terms of a picturesque setting, it more than makes up for in convenience. While other festivals boast views of rolling hills or stunning lakes, Summer Sonic has easy access from the city, an abundance of clean toilets and a cracking lineup – sometimes that’s all you need.

This year's Summer Sonic is returning with an impressive lineup of international and local artists on the weekend of August 14, 15 and 16. The Strokes and L'Arc-en-Ciel will headline in Tokyo, with performances also confirmed from UK funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai, lead Blackpink vocalist and rapper Jennie, Asian American hip-hop lofi singer Keshi, Japanese alternative rock band Sakanaction, Hitsujibungaku, Good Neighbours and more. 

For the latest updates on ticket sales, check the official website.

Tickets have all but sold out for Summer Sonic in Chiba this year, but thankfully for Holly Humberstone fans, there’s a chance to catch her in Shibuya on Friday August 13. Currently touring in support of her new album Cruel World, she’ll make her way to Duo Music Exchange for a comparatively intimate performance as part of the Summer Sonic Extra series of shows. 

The British artist has gone from strength to strength since her debut EP, 2020’s Falling Asleep at the Wheel. She’s made multiple appearances on The Tonight Show in the States, won a Brit Award and performed with high-profile artists like (perhaps controversially?) Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift.

Her new album Cruel World, the artist’s second full-length release, takes on a more upbeat and optimistic pop sound and will bring her to Japan amidst shows in the UK, Europe and the United States. She’ll perform at Duo Music Exchange in Shibuya before appearances at Summer Sonic Tokyo and Osaka on August 14 and 15.

Tokyo Midtown has a packed programme of summer fun this year. If you want to take it easy, cool down at Midtown Garden’s Ashimizu area. The gentle stream here has been transformed into a foot bath, open between 3pm and 9pm (closed on Tuesdays). It can accommodate up to 70 people at a time and, best of all, it’s free. Towels are available for ¥100 each, but of course, you can always bring your own. Cool down in the mist and ice-cooled water, with a free rentable parasol that even glows softly after nightfall for a calm evening ambience.

Feeling wiped out by the summer heat? Make a beeline for the restaurants and cafés at Tokyo Midtown, now hosting a refreshing summer sweets fair featuring cool desserts such as the mango syrup kakigori shaved ice at Hal Yamashita, the strawberry and condensed milk kakigori shaved ice at Ukafe and many more.

New for 2026, enjoy a casual summer evening with small firework sparklers at the Midtown Garden from 5.30pm to 9pm on July 18, 19, 20, and August 8, 9, 10, and 11. Sparklers can be purchased on-site, starting at ¥500 for five sticks and ¥1,000 for 12 sticks. Up to two people may enter the fireworks space per purchase.

There’s no admission fee to this craft beer festival in Machida, which brings together a large variety of ales, lagers and pilsners from 40-odd breweries in Japan. When you inevitably decide you want to have a glass, you can get a beer for as low as ¥500.

With over 100 craft brews to choose from, you can compare the different styles of beer and find your favourite pint. To enhance the event’s cool spring vibes, the venue will be decorated with festive lanterns. There’s covered outdoor seating too, so you can enjoy your drink with peace of mind, come rain or shine.

The event will be closed from August 3 to 6.

The National Stadium’s swanky next-door park is hosting a summer beer garden and outdoor cinema festival this month from July 17 to September 27. During the event, the park will be transformed into an open-air beer garden complete with tables, tents and plenty of seating. Hosted by Corona, the beer garden will serve favourites such as Corona Extra (¥750), alongside the brand’s non-alcoholic Corona Cero (¥600) and inventive Corona-infused cocktails. New for 2026 is the Corona Sunsets Truck, which will be serving drinks and appetisers designed to pair perfectly with Corona beer every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

While you’re there, don’t miss the free outdoor film screenings taking place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This weekend outdoor cinema event is one of Japan’s largest, with screenings running for over 70 days. While the cinema line-up for 2026 has yet to be announced, last year’s programme featured Academy Award-winning titles such as Green Book and Top Gun: Maverick, as well as family favourites including Paddington, School of Rock, The Minions and more. Note that most screenings are Japanese-dubbed versions of the films.

While entry to the festival is free, a special reservation is required to enter on August 8, when the nearby Jingu Stadium is hosting the Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival. Capacity is limited to two thousand visitors, so reserve a slot via the official website before it's too late.

Summer in Japan means intense heat and humidity, vibrant fireworks and festivals, as well as fields of sunflowers. While we wait for the blazing temperatures to die down, hunkered down under air conditioning, others are flourishing in the heat – the defiant and unfettered sunflowers at Tokyo’s Kasai Rinkai Park, that is. The park is home to over 25,000 sunflowers, which are currently in full bloom next to the park’s landmark Ferris wheel (which, by the way, is lit up after dark). Boasting a clear horizon during the evening magic hour, the park’s waterfront location makes it the perfect place to see a proper sunset alongside sunflowers without leaving Tokyo.

In conjunction with the light-up near the most photogenic area, food vendors in the park will be offering limited-time sunflower-inspired soft serve ice cream cones and floats, as well as a red and blue soda inspired by the park’s famous sunsets. While you’re there, don’t miss the other light installations on display, illuminating pathways at various locations within the expansive park.

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 Tower’s alternative to the usual summer beer gardens kicks off the outdoor drinking season with a double dose of whisky highball festivals. Head to the terrace at the base of the tower for a wide selection of highballs alongside snacks like karaage and grilled bacon.

There’s also a meatier option on the roof of the Tokyo Tower Foot Town, where the Tokyo Tower Rooftop Highball Garden serves all-you-can-eat jingisukan, the Hokkaido-born lamb barbecue named after Mongol warlord Genghis Khan.

Two hours of all-you-can-drink alcohol and limitless jingisukan costs ¥6,300 (teens aged 13-19 ¥4,300, primary school students ¥3,300, children aged 4-6 ¥2,300, all with non-alcoholic drinks, of course).

The Tokyo Tower Ultimate Kaku Highball Garden at the base of the tower is open until October 12, from 4pm-10pm on weekdays and 12noon-10pm on Sat, Sun & holidays.

The Tokyo Tower Rooftop Highball Garden is open until October 18, from 5pm-10pm daily. Make your reservations here.

Shinjuku welcomes a brand new Korean pub-style beer garden, located on the rooftop of the Lumine Est shopping complex in the heart of the city. You can choose from four meal plans: the Pocha course (¥3,500), which includes yangnyeom chicken and bulgogi kimbap; the Korean Chicken BBQ course (from ¥4,000), offering chicken marinated in sweet and spicy miso sauce as well as salted green onion sauce; the samgyeopsal and beef galbi course (¥5,000), featuring makgeolli-aged samgyeopsal and seafood pancake; and the premium BBQ course (from ¥6,000), which builds on the samgyeopsal set with the addition of wagyu steak. All four courses come with a two-hour all-you-can-drink plan, with the options including fruit-flavoured soju, makgeolli, highballs, and both Korean and Japanese beers, along with unlimited banchan (Korean mini side dishes), French fries and curry.

In a never-ending sea of immersive exhibitions popping up in Tokyo, this one at Azabudai Hills Gallery lets you do something you’d never get away with in real life: steal from a convenience store. As you walk into the fictitious konbini, you’ll find the entrance area filled with bizarre potato chip bag artworks, including ones by renowned Japanese illustrator Shohei Ochiai.

Walking through the giga-fied convenience store entrance leads to the exhibition’s main ‘Room Where You Can Steal’, where you can attempt to ‘steal’ anything on the racks, as long as you avoid being caught on surveillance cameras for 60 seconds. Expect anything from original T-shirts to snacks, energy drinks and used books.

By turning the familiar act of visiting a convenience store into an interactive game, Gigamart playfully explores consumerism, advertising and our relationship with everyday products. The brainchild of Pinpin Studio, led by rapper and creative director TaiTan, the immersive exhibit runs daily at Azabudai Hills Gallery until August 16 2026.

A new exhibition space in the basement of the Tokyo International Forum, Yurakucho Museum is opening this July, and its inaugural exhibition brings the whimsical world of Pingu to Japan. Running from July 10 to September 6, it features priceless clay models used in actual animation production, alongside storyboards and other production materials. What’s more, you can pretend to be in Pingu’s Antarctic igloo with a photo spot made to look like the penguin boy’s home.

While you’re there, take the opportunity to study Pingu’s facial expressions, unique play-doh-like contortions and language, and maybe you’ll learn to decipher his noot noots once and for all. The exhibition also includes three collaborative art pieces by renowned miniature photographer and artist Tatsuya Tanaka, who has reimagined Pingu with everyday items.

Tickets are now on sale via Epus.

South Korean digital art and design firm D’strict is joining hands with Sanrio to bring a popular interactive exhibit to Japan for the first time after a successful run in Seoul last year. Utilising the latest digital media technologies, the hotel-themed exhibition in Shinjuku’s Tokyu Kabukicho Tower takes you on a photogenic and immersive journey through 11 themed areas in the imaginary hotel, with characters such as Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll and Pompompurin appearing in their own dreamy, fairytale-like rooms.

While the full details are still under wraps, expect to see a plentiful line-up of exclusive Sanrio merch, including Hotel Floria room key charms, hotel sticker sets and travel-themed accessories.

The exhibition space is located on the fourth floor. Tickets are now on sale via Eplus.

Known for emotionally resonant works that bridge intimate storytelling and speculative worlds, Mamoru Hosoda is the man behind landmark films such as The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars and Wolf Children. His cinema is marked by a fluid interplay between everyday life and digital or fantastical realms, as well as a sensitivity to themes of family, memory and transformation.

Marking the 20th anniversary of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, ‘The Creative Origins of Mamoru Hosoda’ unfolds at the Creative Museum Tokyo from June 20 to August 31. Conceived as the most comprehensive exhibition ever dedicated to the director, it offers unprecedented insight into the creative processes behind his most celebrated works.

Drawing extensively from original production materials, the exhibition presents storyboards, layouts, key animation drawings and background art that illuminate the construction of Hosoda’s cinematic language. By foregrounding these foundational elements, the show reveals how influences from painting, cinema and animation converge within his visual storytelling.

Rather than simply looking back, the exhibition invites visitors to reconsider Hosoda’s films through the lens of their origins, tracing recurring motifs and stylistic evolutions across his oeuvre. In doing so, it captures both the enduring appeal of his past works and the continuity of his artistic vision as it extends toward new creative horizons.

When the boundless imagination of Pablo Picasso meets the vibrant creativity of Sir Paul Smith, fireworks follow. Picasso (1881–1973), one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, revolutionised modern art with his radical innovations in form and colour. British designer Smith, noted for his playful approach to tailoring and his masterful sense of colour and pattern, brings his unique sensibility to the table, transforming the NACT’s galleries into a dialogue between art and fashion, and tradition and reinvention.

‘Adventure of Playful Spirits’ offers a fresh encounter with approximately 80 works from the Musée National Picasso-Paris. Following the success of the 2023 Paris exhibition ‘Picasso Celebration: The Collection in a New Light!’, this Japan edition invites visitors to rediscover the painter’s creative evolution from his early Portrait of a Man to the tender Paulo as Harlequin, through Smith’s imaginative spatial design.

From colour-splashed walls to whimsical décor, every element of the exhibition reflects Smith’s joyful spirit and his fascination with artistic play. This meeting of two creative giants – one who shaped modern art and another who redefined contemporary design – conjures up a vibrant, immersive world where curiosity, humour and craftsmanship intertwine.

A visionary who worked along the boundaries between art, design and everyday life, Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007) was one of the most influential figures in 20th-century Italian design. Rising to prominence in the 1950s through his groundbreaking work for the typewriter and computer manufacturer Olivetti, Sottsass redefined industrial design by infusing functional objects with emotion, symbolism and wit. His restless creative spirit culminated in the 1981 founding of the Memphis Group, an international collective whose bold colours, playful forms and radical aesthetics came to define post-modern design and reshape global visual culture.

‘Design begins where magic begins’ at the Artizon Museum is the first comprehensive retrospective of Sottsass’s work in Japan. Drawing from the Ishibashi Foundation’s extensive collection, the exhibition brings together 112 works spanning the entirety of its subject’s long and prolific career, from early experiments to later, more philosophical creations.

Through furniture, industrial design and conceptual works, the exhibition traces Sottsass’s lifelong challenge to strict rationalism and his belief that design should reflect the emotional and spiritual dimensions of human life. Humour, colour and sensuality emerge as tools with which he sought to illuminate the lived experiences, desires and contradictions of modern society. Offering a rare opportunity to encounter Sottsass’s work in depth, the exhibition reveals a visionary who insisted that true design begins with imagination and magic.

Ron Mueck has long been celebrated for redefining figurative sculpture through extraordinary craftsmanship and emotional acuity. After early work in film and advertising, the Australian-born, UK-based artist emerged on the contemporary art scene in the mid-1990s, gaining international attention with Pinocchio (1996) and Dead Dad (1996-97), the latter exhibited in the landmark ‘Sensation’ show at London’s Royal Academy in 1997.

Over the decades, his meticulously crafted human figures, rendered at startlingly altered scales, have probed themes of vulnerability, solitude, resilience and the fragile complexity of existence. With a rare and limited oeuvre of about fifty works, each sculpture distills months or even years of observation and reflection, resulting in pieces that feel at once hyper-real and quietly enigmatic.

From April 29 to September 23, the Mori Art Museum hosts the artist’s first solo exhibition in Japan in eighteen years. Organised in collaboration with the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, the exhibition gathers eleven works tracing Mueck’s evolution, including six making their Japanese debut. Its monumental centrepiece is the Japan premiere of Mass (2016-17), an immersive installation of 100 giant skulls reconfigured to reflect the museum’s architecture. Other highlights include Angel (1997), Woman with Shopping (2013) and the iconic In Bed (2005), each inviting viewers into a deeply intimate emotional space.

Complementing the sculptures, photographs and films by Gautier Deblonde offer a glimpse into Mueck’s studio practice, revealing the quiet rigour behind some of contemporary art’s most affecting works.

This expansive exhibition is the largest in the Doraemon franchise’s 56-year history, bringing together manga panels, animation, sculptures, limited-edition merch and a themed food menu all starring the world’s favourite blue robot cat and his friends. It launched in Hong Kong in July 2024, attracting over five million visitors during its month-long run. Since then, it has continued to captivate fans across Asia, making its way through several cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Bangkok, and Kaohsiung in Taiwan.

The exhibition space contains over 100 distinct Doraemon figures, each with its own expression and costume. In addition to showcasing the content from the previous cities, the Tokyo exhibition also features Japan-exclusive works. Here you can see Doraemon transformed into a shiba inu, a sumo wrestler and a few other forms inspired by Japanese culture, as well as view two original animations not seen elsewhere.

‘100% Doraemon & Friends’ runs until September 30 and is open from 10am to 6pm daily (last entry 5.30pm). Tickets start from ¥2,400 for adults, ¥1,800 for primary and secondary school students and ¥1,600 for children four years old and below – purchase yours here. As an added bonus, upon arrival exhibition visitors receive one of nine Doraemon-themed acrylic pins and one of four promotional cards (both chosen at random).