28 best summer festivals in Tokyo 2026: fireworks, Bon Odori, tanabata and more

One of the largest in all of Tokyo, this lively Roppongi Hills festival features traditional Bon Odori dance by yukata-clad performers in the shopping centre’s event arena.

Traditional Japanese lanterns add to the festive atmosphere while the surrounding food stalls cater to hungry crowds. You can expect a varied gourmet selection prepared by popular restaurants in the area, including Roppongi Barbacoa, Shinanoya, Rigoletto Bar and Grill, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Gelateria Raffinato, and more. There will also be plenty of activities like yo-yo fishing, ring tossing, and a face mask stall for children and adults to enjoy.

While there's no Bon Odori dancing on Friday, you’ll get to watch a modern interpretation of Gigaku (masked drama performance) and Dengaku (traditional Japanese dance) instead. The show is put on by Roppongi Raku, the venue’s performing arts group that consists of about 150 people, starting at 7pm. 

Bon Odori dancing takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 5pm to 8pm.

Granted, it's a minnow compared to the Koenji Awa-Odori that takes place a week before, but Shimokitazawa's version of the famed dancing-in-the-streets fest (originally from Tokushima) has a unique charm of its own. Now into its 58th year, the two-day Shimokitazawa Awa-Odori sees 25 dance teams passionately romp along the neighbourhood's north-side main shopping streets in the evening, and dazzle the crowds with their special routines. Be sure to hang around afterwards, when the area is engulfed in a joyous party mood.

Check the event website for the latest details.

One of Tokyo's favourite traditional festivals, the annual Azabu-Juban Noryo Matsuri (‘noryo’ translates as 'cool of the evening') has been going on for over 50 years now. The festival is returning this year on August 22 and 23 at Patio Juban Square, the nearby Amishiro Park and along the streets of the fashionable Azabu-Juban shopping district. 

There will be plenty of dancing, performances and live music, along with food and game stalls, some of which are set up by local businesses. While details for 2026 are yet to be announced, expect the nearby Juban Inari-jinja shrine to host an ohayashi festival music performance, accompanied by Ise Ondo folk dancing. Dust off your yukata and prepare to mingle among the crowds. 

Visit the website for the festival map and programme.

The annual Otsuka Awa Odori festival has been running since 1972, bringing together more than 1,000 dancers every year. The pre-event festivities will take place at the station-front plaza on August 28, featuring a ceremony followed by mini Awa Odori performances.

The main festival however, falls on Saturday August 29 from 4pm, with around a dozen groups of dancers parading along Minamiotsuka-dori street in front of JR Otsuka Station’s East exit. This year, the festival is celebrating its 52nd year with a line-up of venerable local Awa-Odori dance troupes, including Shinsuiren and the Toriren Awa Odori Club from Ikebukuro's Toshimagaoka Joshigakuen High School, which is one of only four such high school clubs in all of Japan. 

Approximately 14 teams of elaborately attired dancers flood the streets of Asakusa for Japan's largest samba carnival. Now in its 41st year, these exuberant dance teams are largely from the Greater Tokyo region, and they will be shaking their tail feathers to the Brazilian beat as they parade along Umamichi-dori in front of Tobu Asakusa Station and Kaminarimon-dori in front of Sensoji Temple's iconic red lantern.

First held in 1981 in an attempt to revitalise the neighbourhood, the Asakusa Samba Festival is now one of Tokyo's more popular late-summer events. Every year, it attracts half a million spectators. 

The carnival begins at 1pm, with the parade beginning near Sensoji's Nitenmon Gate. Do note that selfie sticks, chairs, and tripods are not allowed in the spectator areas along the side of the road. You can check out the detailed map for the parade route here and read up on the participating teams here.

One of the most popular street dance festivals in Tokyo, Koenji's Awa Odori is returning this summer in full swing. This year, the celebration will feature over 150 Awa Odori dance groups parading around Koenji Station’s Pal shopping arcade, Koenji Junjo Shotengai shopping street and Konan street over the August 29-30 weekend.

The tradition of Awa Odori can be traced back to Tokushima, in the Shikoku region. Legend has it that the local daimyo plied his citizens with booze to celebrate the completion of the local castle in 1586, leading to a citywide outbreak of dancing in the streets. Whatever the accuracy of that tale, the enthusiasm was contagious, and Koenji has been holding a street dance fest of its own since 1957.

While the action starts at 5pm for both days, you'll need to arrive much earlier if you want to snag one of the best viewing spots along the three streets mentioned above.

Check the official website for more details.

Head straight to Rinko Park in Yokohama’s Minatomirai area for this annual Bon Odori festival by the sea. Festivities begin at 4.30pm, with special stage performances scheduled for both days.

If you're feeling peckish, you’ll also find food trucks selling all kinds of festival grub from the area. The food area is further expanded this year, with a food court area where visitors can take a break from bon odori dancing and enjoy matsuri cuisine.

The program is yet to be announced. Check the event website for more details.

Late August is always a good time for dancing in the streets, with many major festivals happening around this time of year. The Yosakoi dance originated in Kochi prefecture in 1954, where it was created to help revitalise the struggling post-war economy. Tokyo's very own Super Yosakoi festival, however, while relatively new, has been going on for over two decades now.

This massive event sees about 110 teams of brightly attired dancers from across Japan and around the world, trying to outdo each other as they strut their stuff to the rhythm of the naruko – a type of clapper that the people of Kochi originally used to scare birds away from the fields.

The dance performances take place at various locations within the Harajuku/Shibuya area. But if you only see one thing, make sure it’s the massive parade along the tree-lined Omotesando avenue on Sunday (times TBA for 2026).

Stage performances will also be held at Yoyogi Park on Saturday and Sunday. There are also smaller parades at the Yoyogi Park Event Square, along the road between the NHK Hall and the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, around the same time.

At the Yoyogi no Mori Bon-Odori venue (5-68-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya), you can enjoy Yosakoi performances from (times TBA for 2026) on Saturday and on Sunday.

For the latest information, check the event website.