This Weekend: Tokyo Area Events for August 13-14
Summer Festivals And Fun In The City
If you've chosen to avoid the crowds and spend your Obon weekend in Tokyo without travelling anywhere, let us be the ones to tell you that you've made the right decision — for there are plenty of fun events happening this weekend in and around the capital. From a Jazz festival and local summer matsuri in Tama, to a public movie viewing in Ebisu, a paper lantern festival in Asakusa and a romantic wind chimes event in Saitama, this weekend is all about embracing the heat. Let your hair loose and enjoy summer to the fullest!
Outdoor Cinema
Ebisu Garden Picnic Cinema
Public movie screenings have been gathering popularity in the capital recently, and Ebisu isn't missing the opportunity to jump on the bandwagon. Held at the Ebisu Garden Place, this weekend visitors will be gathering for a screening of "Mr. Bean's Holiday" on Saturday and "Tim Burton's Corpse Bride" on Sunday. Share laughs and drinks, and enjoy a peaceful night under the starry sky.
- Date
- Sat, Aug. 13 & Sun, Aug. 14, 2016
- Time
- From 7:30
- Location
- Ebisu Garden Place, Center Plaza, 4−5−28 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free
Jazzy Days
The 7th Sumida Street Jazz Festival
Aiming to promote Sumida as Tokyo's No.1 music city, this annual festival gathers 400 bands performing jazz and other genres at around 40 indoor and outdoor stages. The highlight is a special performance by veteran saxophonist Malta and Japanese Jazz legend Isao Suzuki. On the agenda are also dance performances, various events for the kids and more.
- Date
- Sat, Aug.13 - Sun, Aug. 14, 2016
- Time
- 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location
- Near Kinshi-Park. Access: Kinshicho & Oshiage stations.
- Fee
- Free
Neighborhood Adventures
Tama Center Summer Festival
Another local summer festival featuring four days of a great variety of fun events for the kids and the whole family. On the agenda are traditional Japanese performances and other shows, including taiko drums, dances, parades, a mini jazz festival and more. Kids will also enjoy a brief appearance by Miss Hello Kitty herself, coming straight from her Puroland Kingdom, just a stone's throw away.
- Date
- Now through Sun, Aug.14, 2016
- Time
- 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Location
- In front of Tama Center station
- Fee
- Free
Latin Sways
Bolivia Festival
Your one-day free pass to the country of passion, Bolivia, will have you plunge into the rhythms of charango, quena flutes and Caporales sexy moves all day long right in the center of Tokyo. Get in a groovy mood and enjoy the stage heat!
- Date
- Sat, Aug. 13, 2016
- Time
- 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Location
- Shiba Park, Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free
Floating Wishes
Asakusa Summer Night Festival - Toro Nagashi
One of the most beautiful and symbolic festivals in the capital, this event sees thousands of visitors writing their wishes on paper lanterns and releasing them in the Sumida river from the Sumida Park Shinsui Terrace near Azuma-bashi Bridge.
- Date
- Sat, Aug.13, 2016
- Time
- 6:30 p.m.
- Location
- Sumida Park Shinsui Terrace, a 5-min walk from Asakusa station
- Fee
- Free (Paper Lanterns cost ¥1,500)
Private Fireworks
Kumagaya Fireworks
Marriage proposals, birthday celebrations, vows for an endless friendship...whatever message you're hiding in your heart can light up the sky at this enormously popular summer event happening in central Saitama. Enjoy the lights and heartwarming messages as they make their way to the stars.
- Date
- Sat, Aug. 13, 2016
- Time
- 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- Location
- Along Arakawa river, a 5-min walk from Kumagaya station.
- Fee
- Free
A Walk to Remember
Enmusubi Furin 2016
Enjoy a romantic walk with your significant other amid the sound of wind chimes (fuurin) and a beautifully illuminated Hikawa shrine. Enmusubi, the word for "forming a strong bond" is a hint here, so dress to impress and get in a romantic mood. It's going to be a night to remember!
- Date
- Now through Wed, Aug. 31, 2016
- Time
- 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Location
- Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, 1-407 Takahanacho, Omiya-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama
- Fee
- Free
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