Summer festivals in Tokyo: the full list

Known as a 'love shrine', Kawagoe Hikawa out in Saitama attracts plenty of fed-up singles looking for help in finding the partner of their dreams. This relatively new summer festival is another chance to do just that, as the hot summer night atmosphere and pretty light-ups ensure that love will be in the air. Colourful fuurin (wind chimes) adorn the grounds...

The capital's very own booze cruise departs from Takeshiba Terminal at 7.15pm every night between June 29 and  September 24, and does a lap of the bay while serving up all-you-can-drink beer, wine and cocktails. The tackiness of the setting is compounded by touches like the yukata dance performance, but the silver lining is you can get ¥1,000 off the price if you go in a yukata yourself...

Perhaps looking to challenge Nihonbashi's annual Art Aquarium this summer, the Skytree's Sumida Aquarium puts on an artsy goldfish show of its own. Themed on old Edo and its cultural traditions, the Edorium area will be decorated in summer festival style with goldfish lanterns and fuurin wind bells, while the goldfish display zone – the largest of its kind in Japan – will also be spruced up for the occasion...

Dance the traditional way at Rinko Park's Bon Festival, where you can also catch a taiko drumming performance, snack on above-average festival grub, get buzzed on nihonshu and beer and take in the sweaty summer atmosphere of Yokohama...

Sangenjaya, known as Sancha among the locals, holds its annual Latin Festival with several live performances throughout these two days. Munch on some traditional festival food while taking in the scenery of the spectacular samba parade...

Granted, it's a minnow compared to the Koenji Awa-Odori that takes place a week later, but Shimokitazawa's version of the famed dancing-in-the-streets fest (originally from Tokushima) has a unique charm of its own. Held for the 53rd time this year, the Shimokitazawa Awa-Odori sees teams of dancers romp along the neighbourhood's main shopping streets in the evening...

Now back for its 16th edition, this lively Roppongi Hills event features traditional Bon Odori dance performed in a purpose-built arena by yukata-clad dancers – feel free to join in, as long as you're appropriately dressed. Decorations add to the atmosphere, while the surrounding stalls cater to hungry crowds with all the usual festival fare...

One of the biggest summer festivals in Asakusa, this colourful parade runs from Umamichi-dori to Kaminarimon-dori, and teems with hundreds of dancers and numerous giant floats. It boasts teams from all over Japan, including long-established ensembles and mega-groups that have as many as 200 members...

Late August is always a good time for dancing in the streets, with many major festivals kicking off. The original yosakoi dance started life in Kochi in 1954, where it was intended to help revitalise the struggling post-war economy, and Tokyo's own Super Yosakoi festival has been going for over a decade now. The event sees more than 100-odd teams of brightly attired dancers trying to outdo each other...

Around 10,000 dancers pile out on to the streets of Koenji over the two days of the annual Awa-Odori, undoubtedly one of Tokyo's most energetic festivals – and one with crowds to match...

One of Tokyo's favourite traditional festivals, the Azabu-Juban Noryo Matsuri (noryo literally translates as 'cool of the evening') has been going on for over 50 years now. It returns in late August for two days of dancing, performances, live music and international food...

Kawachi Ondo is a folk song that originated in what is now the Osaka region and later spread all over the country. The lyrics can be modified to touch on anything from epic tales to current events, and the best singers are able to improvise freely. This Kinshicho festival is where to get a comprehensive introduction to the art of Kawachi Ondo...