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Tokyo’s Best Summer Festivals and Fireworks

No Japanese summer would be complete without a visit to one of Japan’s local festivals also known as o-matsuri. Usually held in the evening to escape the sweltering summer heat, matsuri are a great way to dive into some of the city’s more traditional culture, see locals don their yukata robes and dance to retro songs late into the night.

While you are there, make sure to try some typical festival foods such as yakisoba, okonomiyaki, grilled fish and some ice-cold beer, mingle with the locals and feel transported back in time. 

Or, how about one of these stunning firework festivals (hanabi) to finish off the night with a bang?

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JULY




Kamakura Fireworks | A Fireworks Spectacle on the Beach 




Photo by kana hata via flickr under CC
About an hour outside of Tokyo in the popular seaside town Kamakura, this fireworks festival is worth a visit just for its unique location on Yuigahama Beach. Get yourself some cool drinks, make yourself comfortable on your towel and marvel as 4,000 fireworks including special “underwater fireworks” are launched from the ocean in a 50-minute spectacle of lights.

︎TBD
︎Yuigahama Beach, Zaimokuza Beach, Kamakura
︎Closest Station(s): Yuigahama Station (Enoshima Dentetsu Line)
 ︎Google Maps
 ︎Website
 $ free entry



Mitama Matsuri | Lantern Festival 




If there is one summer festival you must see then it should be Mitama Matsuri. This yearly festival which takes places in July, is an absolute must-see event and draws large crowds eager to marvel at Yasukuni shrine’s lantern-magnificence. You should obviously try to see this festival in the evening hours when the lanterns reveal their full beauty, but do make sure to stay for one of the wonderful processions where you can witness a beautifully curated mixture of traditional Japanese music, costumes and dance.  

︎TBD 
︎Yasukuni Shrine
︎Closest Station(s): Ichigaya Station (Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Yurakucho Line, Toei Shinjuku Line, JR Chuo Line), Kudanshita Station (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Tozai Line, Toei Shinjuku Line)
 ︎Google Maps
 ︎Website
$ free entry



Sumidagawa Fireworks | Tokyo’s Largest Firework Festival 




Kicking off every year on the last Saturday in July, Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival is not just the Tokyo’s biggest firework (with 20,000 fireworks launched into the air from two different venues and one million visitors), but is also easily accessible for those already visiting nearby Sensoji Temple in Asakusa or Skytree in Oshiage. Be sure to arrive early to secure yourself a spot around the banks of the Sumida River or a nearby bridge, bring some cold beer and enjoy the 1,5h long spectacle of colors. Pro tip: watch the fireworks from Shiori Park near Minami-Senju Station to avoid the massive crowds. 

︎TBD
︎Venue 1: Around the banks of the Sumida River, between Kototoi Bridge and Sakura Bridge
︎Venue 2: Around the banks of the Sumida River, between Komagata Bridge and Umaya Bridge
︎Closest Station(s): Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line), Kuramae Station (Toei Asakusa Line, Oedo Line)
 ︎Google Maps Venue 1
︎Google Maps Venue 2
 ︎Google Maps Shiori Park
 ︎Website
 $ free entry



AUGUST



Edogawa Fireworks | 1000 Fireworks Light Up the Sky in 5 Seconds



With 13,000 fireworks in total, its signature Mount Fuji-shaped firework display and 1,000 fireworks launched into the air in just over 5 seconds to mark the beginning of the festival, Edogawa Fireworks festival is one of the highlights of Tokyo’s hanabi summer. The spacious river banks of the Edogawa River provide for ample seating space, but be sure to bring your own blanket and arrive early to secure a spot, for this event attracts very impressive crowds of people. *This year’s event was postponed until October due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

︎TBD
︎Banks of the Edogawa River, Edogawa River Soccer Field
︎Closest Station(s): Shinozaki Station (Toei Shinjuku Line)
 ︎Google Maps
 ︎Website (Japanese only)
 $ free entry


Shimokitazawa Awa Odori | Traditional Dance Parade




The smaller sibling to Koenji’s Awa Odori parade, Shimokitawa Awa Odori is a enchanting local music and dance festival which takes place on the Northern side of Shimokitazawa station. Line up along one of the sides of the shotengai shopping streets and see beautifully dressed dancers and impressive drummers pass by in this summertime parade which is less busy and more small town for those looking to get away from the big crowds.  

︎TBD
︎North of Shimokitazawa Station
︎Closest Station(s): Shimokitazawa Station (Keio Inokashira Line, Odakyu Line)
︎Google Maps
 $ free entry



Koenji Awa Odori | Traditional Dance Parade




Photo by Hidekazu Tsutsui
Attracting over a million visitors over the whole weekend, Koenji Awa Odori is Tokyo’s biggest Awa Odori dance festival and a spectacle not to be missed by any fan of Taiko drums, traditional kimono costumes and local festival atmosphere. Make sure to reserve a spot well before the start time of the parade and enjoy the sight of hundreds of colorful dancers make their way along downtown Koenji. Pro tip: avoid the main streets and instead secure yourself a spot in one of the small side streets to get extra close to the parade.

︎TBD
︎Between Koenji and Shin-Koenji Stations
︎Closest Station(s): Koenji Station (JR Chuo Line), Shin-Koenji Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
︎Google Maps
 ︎Website
$ free entry




Azabu-Juban Noryo Matsuri | Local Festival 



Don your yukata and join the local crowds of hip Azabu-Juban as the downtown shotengai shopping streets are transformed for this celebration of summer. With typical matsuri delicacies such as kakigori, okonomiyaki, grilled fish and booze available, there is nothing standing in your way of feeling like a true Tokyoite.

︎TBD
︎Azabu-Juban Shotengai
︎Closest Station(s): Azabu Juban Station (Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Toei Oedo Line)
 ︎Google Maps
 ︎Website (Japanese only)
 $ free entry





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