Tokyo Summer Festival: The Ultimate Guide

With Tokyo’s notorious wet summer coming, the city is filled with a series of spectacular annual festivals, also known as Matsuko. Features with gorgeous grand tours Mikoshi (portable shrine), fascinating traditional dances, breathtaking fireworks shows and nostalgic food stalls, these summer celebrations are the expected staples of Japanese culture every year.

We compiled a list of Tokyo’s most famous summer festivals. Note that most event dates change every year and remember that many of them will see large crowds, so be sure to pay attention to your surroundings. And keep hydrated.

Tokyo summer festival in June

Sanno Festival (even years)

Although not in 2025, Sano Festival is the “Three Grand Festivals of the Three Edo Festivals” held by Hie Shrine. It alternates with Kanda Festival, which takes place in odd years on the weekend closest to May 15. Don’t miss the parade (Jinkosai) People wearing ancient aristocratic costumes and traditional Bon Odori dances.

when: Mid-June, more than a week

Torigoe Matsuri

The festival was held in Asakusa by Torigoe Shrine, and is famous for one of the largest and heaviest portable shrines in Tokyo, with a stunning weight of four tons. It was taken away by hundreds of believers.

when: The second or third weekend of June

Tsukiji Lion Dance Festival (Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri)

The Tsukiji Lion Dance Festival took place in mid-June around Namiyoke Inari Shrine near the Tsukiji external market for three days. During the “main festival” that takes place every three years, a large portable shrine is paraded by lion heads.

when: Mid-June, three days

Night of candles for one million people at the Temple of Zochogi

On a magical night in the summer solstice, the Zojoji Temple is illuminated by more than 1,000 candles, with the Tokyo Tower as the background. The lights in Tokyo Tower were also turned off. It is a quiet and beautiful experience, often accompanied by Marche, selling seasonal goods.

when: Summer solstice

Fussa Firefly Festival

While Urban Tokyo doesn’t have too many natural fireflies, fireflies are released along the coast of Tama River during this festival in Fussa (West Tokyo), which provides a rare opportunity to see these fascinating insects near the city.

when: Early June

Tokyo summer festival in July

Shitamachi Tanabata Festival

This star festival is celebrated every year around Tanabata on Kappabashi Street between Ueno and Asakusa (July 7). It has colorful Tanzaku Hang paper on bamboo.

when: The weekend approaching July 7

Tokyo Racecourse Fireworks

The festival is held at the Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu and is famous for its fireworks displays synchronized with music. Every year, the event has a different theme and sees about 14,000 fireworks illuminating the sky.

when: Early July

Mitama Matsuri

Holding in Yasukuni Shrine, this Obon Festival is famous for its over 30,000 lanterns that illuminate the grounds of the shrine at night, creating a truly magical atmosphere. In addition to the amazing lighting, you can enjoy traditional performances such as Taiko Drumming, classical dance and lively Bon Dance, and everyone is welcome to join. Food stalls (now often kitchen trucks) offer classic festive cuisine.

when: Mid-July

Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival

Dating back nearly 300 years, it is one of the oldest and most iconic fireworks shows in Tokyo. About 20,000 fireworks were launched along two sites from the Sumida River in Asakusa, drawing the night sky in spectacular colors against the backdrop of Tokyo Skytree. This is a very popular event, so consider arriving early to ensure a good viewing deck or even keeping paid seats for a better experience.

when: The last Saturday of July

Shinjuku Eisa Festival

This festival brings the vibrant Okinawa EISA dance to the streets around Shinjuku Station. Looking forward to colorful outfits, vibrant drum beats and festive island atmosphere.

when: Late July

Kagurazaka Matsuri

This is a pleasant festival in the charming Kagurazaka district. It is famous for its Hozuki (Japanese Lantern Plant) market, and importantly the Awa Odori Dance Festival, where participants participate in the lively Awa dance.

when: In late July, more than four days

Tokyo summer festival in August

Fukukawa Hashman Music Festival

This is another of the “Three Great Festivals of Three Edo” held at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine. It is held annually, but the full festival is only celebrated every three years. It is famous for its tradition of splashing water, during which onlookers mocked Mikoshi carriers with water, creating a lively and cool wonder.

when: In mid-August, more than five days

Edogawa Fireworks Festival

This is a huge and popular fireworks show held on both sides of the Edo River. It is known for its synchronized firework launches, creating dynamic and powerful displays.

when: The first Saturday of August

Koto Fireworks Festival

The festival is held by the scenic Arakawa River in Tokyo’s Copin District, and launches about 6,000 fireworks from a barge, providing a powerful and up-close viewing experience.

when: Early August

Itabashi Fireworks Festival

This is another large fireworks display on the banks of the Arakawa River, known for its large scale and large crowds. Typically, the Todabashi Fireworks Festival is held on the other side of the river. Expect to see about 13,000 fireworks.

when: Early August

Provided by Shibuya Bunka Project

Shibuya bon dance festival

This Bon Dance event at Shibuya often combines modern elements such as J-Pop Music and DJ to create contemporary traditional dances. Dogenzaka and Bunkamura Street are usually closed for events. They are filled with stalls and food trucks.

when: Early August

Courtesy of Town News

Hachioji Festival

The festival is held in Hachioji and has the most impressive buoys in the Kanto region. Note that Hachioji usually holds a separate fireworks festival in late July, with about 4,000 fireworks glittering over Fuji Park.

when: Early August

Tsukiji Hongwanji Bon Odori Festival

This is a popular Bon Odori festival held at the striking Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, attracting a lively and diverse crowd including many families. It is said that the festival has some of Tokyo’s best holiday food stalls.

when: From late July to early August, more than four days

©Tokyo Koenji Awa-Odori

Koenji Awa Odori

The celebration is often hailed as one of Japan’s largest AWA Odori festivals, involving more than 10,000 dancers parade on the main streets near Koenji and Shin-Koenji stations.

when: The last weekend of August

Harajuku emotesando genki festival super Yosakoi

It is a vibrant festival that shows the Yosakoi dance that combines traditional Japanese dance with modern music and choreography. The colorful performance takes place around Meiji Shrine, Harajuku-Omotesando and Yoyogi Park.

when: The last weekend of August

Shimokitazawa Bon Odori Summer Music Festival

This active community festival is held in Shimokitazawa, which is known for its artistic and stylish atmosphere. Before heading to the festival, make sure to learn the original Bon Odori song “Shimokita Ondo” on YouTube.

when: Late August

You should know during Japanese festivals

• Hanaby: fireworks.
• Bon Odori: These traditional community performances were performed during Obon, which means “Bon Dance”, welcoming the spirit of ancestors.
• obon: Observing the 15th day of the seventh month of the year, Obon is one of the three major holidays that Japan tied for the New Year and Golden Week. Many local and large festivals were held around this time. Usually, Obon spans three days in mid-August.
• Mikoshi: A portable but heavy mini shrine that houses the gods, usually carried by local volunteers during festivals.
• Matsuri Hon, Kage Matsuri: Several major festivals like Kanda Festival hold major celebrations (Matsuri) only every other year or every three years. The smaller celebration is called Kage Matsuri, which translates to the “Shadow Festival”.
• You’ve been for a few hours: Meaning “AWA Dance”, this performance involves parade dance, unlike the round Bon Odori. It has vibrant sports and vibrant costumes, and is one of the representative traditional performances in Japan, dating back to 1586 in Toushima Prefecture.

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