This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For July 7-8
Stars, Festivals, And Fun In The City
This week is all about making your dreams come true, being bold enough to make another wish and work toward achieving it, and celebrating love in all its kinds and forms! Here is our weekly round-up of the top ten events for the week(end): from Tanabata celebrations to fun exhibitions and local festivals! Enjoy!
Love And Stars
Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
The largest Tanabata event in the Kanto area, this three-day festival is jam-packed with lively events, including its famous 1,000-people-parade, giant dinosaur robot displays, rock-climbing for kids and lots and lots of food. The Shonan Star Mall shopping area will also be decorated with large colorful streamers that cascade from the ceiling, making it an amazing photo spot. Crowded for sure, but definitely worth visiting!
- Date
- Fri, July 6-Sun, July 8, 2018
- Time
- All day until 9 p.m. (Until 8 p.m. on Sunday)
- Location
- THE AREA AROUND JR HIRATSUKA STATION'S NORTH EXIT
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Couples, Families, Social Media Influencers, Matsuri fans
Walk The Light
Tanabata Washi Candle Night
Organized by a group of university students for a project called "We Love Japan," this spectacular event features 3,500 candles placed in paper lanterns, which are lined to form a Milky Way path toward Zojoji Temple. Each lantern carries a handwritten message, a wish or a drawing, written by children at welfare facilities in Tokyo and Tohoku. Come witness the lights and make your own wish as you walk the Milky Way!
- Date
- Fri, July 6-Sat, July 7, 2018
- Time
- 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
- Location
- Zojoji Temple, 4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Couples, Friends, Instagrammers
A Bug's Life
Konchu Sugowaza: An Exhibition on Bugs' Versatility
From transforming into a mantis who's about to catch his prey or a cicada who has stopped on a giant tree, to taking photos with giant beetles and jumping as a grasshopper, this is an event that brings bugs to life and life to bugs in an interactive and super fun way the kids won't have enough of!
- Date
- Now through Sun, Sept. 1, 2018
- Time
- 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (Until 10 p.m. on Fridays, Weekends and holidays)
- Location
- Orbi Yokohama, 3-5-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa
- Fee
- ¥800 (Adults), ¥300-¥500 (Children)
- Info
- Recommended for: Kids, Families
© Photo by youkaineSpiritual Parade
Narita Gion Festival
With a history of over 300 years, this festival attracts 450,000 annual visitors from all over the country and the world for its extravagant floats, portable shrines and stunning decorations down the Omotesando Road in Narita.
- Date
- FRI, JULY 6 THROUGH SUN, JULY 8, 2018
- Time
- FROM 1:30 P.M. (JULY 6), FROM 9 A.M. (JULY 7) AND FROM 1 P.M. (JULY 8)
- Location
- NARITASAN SHINSHOJI TEMPLE, 1 NARITA, CHIBA PREFECTURE
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Matsuri fans, Families, Couples, Friends, Instagrammers
Don't Cry For Me Tokyo...We're Finally Here!
Musical: Evita
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical Evita comes to Tokyo for the first time for a limited time this month, and it’s a show you wouldn’t want to miss! The heartwarming story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, evolves in front of the audience from her humble beginnings through an extraordinary wealth, power and status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’ by the Argentinean people. Featuring some of the most beloved songs in musical theater (Don’t Cry For Me Argentina as a start…), this iconic show is one of the most exciting events Tokyo is to see this year.
- Date
- Wed, July 4-Sun, July 29, 2018
- Time
- From 12:30 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m.
- Location
- Tokyu Theater Orb, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥9,000-¥13,500
- Info
- Recommended for: Musical fans, Couples, Solo dates
For The Love Of The Ocean
Yoyogi Park's Ocean Peoples
This annual sea-themed festival in Yoyogi Park is packed with around 30 food booths, beer gardens, live dance and music performances, and a beach culture market, where you can buy everything you need for your summer getaway. Shop as you groove to the live ocean tunes by local and international artists.
- Date
- Sat, July 7-Sun, July 8, 2018
- Time
- All day
- Location
- Yoyogi Park, 2-3 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Ocean lovers, Friends, Families, Kids, Couples
One Of A Kind
Handmade in Japan Fest 2018
This annual event gathers designers from across Japan who will be selling their unique handmade products. From fashion to interior goods to art and accessories, here you can find your one-in-the-whole world piece. It's a great place to also get some inspiration, too — the creativity is endless!!
- Date
- Sat, July 7-Sun, July 8, 2018
- Time
- 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Location
- Tokyo Big Sight East 7 & 8 Halls, 3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥1,500
- Info
- Recommended for: Designers, Art Students, Friends, Families, People who love one-of-a-kind craftsmanship
© Photo by TAKA@P.P.R.SLocal Star Wishes
Shitamachi Tanabata Festival
Located near Asakusa, this event is another festival inspired by the Tanabata love story. The highlight of the festival is the exciting parade held throughout the weekend. Enjoy the street performances, marching bands and dance parades. There will also be plenty of food stalls, craft markets and other festival games.
- Date
- Thu, July 5-Sun, July 8, 2018
- Time
- 10 A.M.-8 P.M. (SAT), 10 A.M.-7 P.M (SUN)
- Location
- KAPPA BRIDGE MAIN STREET, THE ROAD BETWEEN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE AND ASAKUSA STATION
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Couples, Families, Friends, Social Media Influencers
All Things Fresh
Seibu Green Marché
Bring an eco bag or two and indulge in a shopping spree of fresh vegetables, fruit, jams, processed food, and even alcohol all straight from Japan's farms. There will also be food booths and flower shops, assuring that your home will look a tad more colorful upon your return!
- Date
- Sat, July 7, 2018
- Time
- 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Location
- In front of Shakujii-koen station's central exit, Nerima ward, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free entrance!
- Info
- Recommended for: People who like buying fresh produce
Sunday Shopping
Tokyo International Forum 'Best Flea Market'
Inspired by overseas flea markets, this cool treasure hunting spot is perfect for a Sunday date with friends, family or even solo. Over 200 booths will be selling everything from clothes, home interior goods, toys, old kimonos, dresses and so much more.
- Date
- Sun, July 8, 2018
- Time
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Location
- Tokyo International Forum 1F Event Space, 3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Treasure Hunters, Families, Friends
Attending any of these events? Send us photos through Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyTokyo
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