12 best summer festivals in Tokyo 2025: fireworks, Bon Odori, tanabata and more

This September, Shimokitazawa welcomes the return of its annual lunar art festival that will coincide with the upcoming autumn moon. Back for its fourth edition, Moon Art Night Shimokita will span several venues in the neighbourhood, including the Shimokita Senrogai Open Space in front of Shimokitazawa Station’s east exit, the rooftop of Higashi-Kitazawa Station, and the Bonus Track complex.

Exhibits include an outdoor moon installation by UK artist Luke Jerram, whose giant floating model features striking details of the moon’s surface as captured by Nasa. This particular installation – titled ‘Museum of the Moon’ – is set to be on show every day at the vacant lot of the Shimokita Senrogai complex. 

The festival is also hosting London-based artist Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, whose luminous blue cat inflatables will be on display at the Bonus Track complex. Inspired by the paradoxical Schrödinger’s cat thought experiment, which explores how a cat can be both alive and dead at once, the artist created the cats as a way to spark imagination and explore our relationship with the universe.

A new addition this year, Japanese visual artist Takayuki Mori is participating with a three-dimensional installation titled ‘Uranometria’. The work depicts constellation motifs across a celestial dome using ultraviolet-responsive threads, which illuminate the invisible lines that connect the stars in glowing neon colours. His work, which invites viewers to reflect on how humanity has always sought meaning among the stars through astrology, will be on display at the paid Higashi-Kitazawa Station rooftop venue.

Aside from the art exhibitions, the festival will feature several immersive theatre performances, live music, video installations and pop-ups. Several shops around Shimokitazawa Station will also offer full moon-inspired food and beverages and limited-edition products during the festival.

Tickets to access paid venues and performances are on sale via Eplus.

Did you miss the Bon Odori dance festivals that happened in Tokyo across July and August? Not to worry because you can still make it to one last summer soiree at the Yokai Bon Odori in Tachikawa. Held over the October 11-13 weekend, this unique event is themed after yokai, the supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore. These stories have been passed down from the olden days, just like the Bon Odori tradition.

Aside from dancers dressed in yokai costumes, the festival will also feature live performances by indie j-pop solo artist Xiangyu (Oct 11), solo taiko drummer Hirozumi (Oct 12), electronic music duo Pasocom Music Club (Oct 13), and many more. As with all Japanese festivals, you can expect to see family-friendly activities and games like target shooting, yo-yo fishing, character masks and face painting, as well as food stalls to keep you well-fed and satisfied. 

The festival’s food and activity area is open to the public for free, but the stage performance and Bon Odori dance areas require a ¥3,500 entry fee, which can be purchased in advance for cheaper via Eplus. Make sure to dress as a yokai, in yukata or in Yokai Bon Odori merchandise if you plan to attend, as there will be a dress code for the ticketed areas. More details on the dress code here.

Chofu is hosting its annual hanabi (fireworks) festival by the banks of the Tama River with massive fireworks (including starmines) synchronised to music. It sees around 10,000 rockets launched over the course of an hour starting at 6.15pm, with some fireworks being choreographed to pop songs using computer-controlled audio and launch systems.

Reserved seating is still available at the Dentsu University Field, Fuda, and Keio Tamagawa locations, with prices starting at ¥6,000 for seats at Keio Tamagawa and ¥4,000 for floor seating at Dentsu University Field. Tickets can be purchased at Seven-Eleven multicopy machines or online via Seven Ticket, with pick-up at a convenience store required after purchase. If this all seems like a hassle, don’t worry, there are free non-reserved seating near Keio Tamagawa Station and next to Tamagawa Citizen Square. Just make sure to arrive a few hours early, as space is limited. 

For the venue map and transport information, check the event page.

Get ready to participate in one of the last Bon Odori festivals this summer. Miyashita Park’s very own Bon Odori will take over its rooftop on September 27 and 28. Expect to see folks dancing to the beat of traditional taiko drums as well as contemporary DJ mixes of J-pop and city pop. Everyone is welcome at this communal dance soiree, which will take place around a yagura stage adorned by Japanese lanterns.

Stores and restaurants in Miyashita Park will be setting up stalls at the festival’s outdoor market.

Details have yet to be announced for 2025. Follow the organiser’s Instagram for updates.

Compared to the massive Super Yosakoi festival in Omotesando, western Tokyo suburb Chofu’s Yosakoi celebration may be smaller in scale but it’s no less energetic. Bringing together 13 local yosakoi teams and 18 dance troupes from a variety of genres, the Chofu Saisaisai (formerly known as the Chofu Yosakoi Festival) will have stage performances across various locations around Chofu City Hall and the adjacent Chofu City Cultural Hall Tazukuri. But if you were to see only one thing, make sure to head to Kyu Koshu-kaido avenue, as there will be a parade along the 700-metre route between Fuda and Chofu stations from 3pm to 4.30pm.