This Golden Week: Tokyo Area Events For May 3-7
The Ultimate Event Guide For The Holidays
Not traveling anywhere for the Golden Week? Well, you may have made the right choice, because there's plenty of events going on in and around Tokyo this week to keep you entertained. From flower festivals and music events, to all-you-can eat gourmet events, a number of international festivals gathering the foreign community in Tokyo and the Tokyo Pride Week for Japan's LGBT and their supporters, Tokyo will be steaming hot over the holidays. Have a great break and enjoy the weather! Happy Golden Week!
Latin Fiesta
Cinco de Mayo
Get in a groovy Latin mood, loosen up and come celebrate Mexico's largest national holiday festival. As usual, there will be a series of fun events, including mariachi bands, salsa and samba dancing, tequila bars, Tex-Mex food stands, and more. Other countries will also make a presence through food and events. Known as one of the most “international” festivals in Japan, it is a great chance to enjoy fine food, drinks and interactive entertainment with friends and family.
- Date
- Thu, May 4th - Sat, May 6, 2017
- Time
- 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
- Location
- Odaiba Symbol Promenade Park Yume no Hiroba. A minute walk from Tokyo Teleport Station (Rinkai Line).
- Fee
- Free!
Starting Fresh
Outdoor Yoga At Solamachi
There's nothing like beating the stress by starting your day with an early morning open-air yoga. Beginners and experienced yogis will be gathering at Tokyo Solamachi this Golden Week, inviting you to join with friends, family or even solo. Bring a yoga mat, drinks and comfortable clothes, and just relax and enjoy. Limited to the first 80 people to show up for each day.
- Date
- Wed, May 3 - Sun, May 7, 2017
- Time
- 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
- Location
- Tokyo Solamachi 8F, Dome Garden, Tokyo, 1-1-2, Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free!
Toward A Borderless Society
Tokyo Rainbow Pride Parade & Festa
Join Japan's LGBT community and help contribute to a diverse and borderless society at the Tokyo Rainbow Week, running from April 29. The event hosts a number of talks, seminars, live shows and parties aimed at raising awareness of the needs of the LGTB communities. The highlight of the event is the Festa and Parade, happening over the weekend. The two invite thousands of people every year, who take to the streets in fancy dress alongside floats. The Festa will have a lot of booths opened in Yoyogi Park by LGBT-friendly companies and live shows by a number of renowned artists.
- Date
- Sat, May 6 - Sun, May 7, 2017. The parade is on Sunday.
- Time
- From 10 a.m.
- Location
- Yoyogi Park, 2-1 YOYOGIKAMIZONOCHO, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- Free!
Walk The Pink Carpet
Chichibu Shibazakura Festival 2017
Head to Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu for an alternative, yet equally mesmerizing hanami experience: shibazakura, or moss phlox. The annual Chichibu Shibazakura Festival features some 400,000 fully bloomed moss phlox arranged in various shapes and swirls that stretch over four acres of the Shibazakura Hill, creating a scene right out of a painting.
- Date
- Now through SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2017
- Time
- 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M.
- Location
- HITSUJIYAMA PARK, 6360 OMIYA, CHICHIBU, SAITAMA PREFECTURE
- Fee
- ¥300 (GENERAL)
Tour Around Germany In A Day
Yokohama Frühlings Fest 2017
Yokohama will be turning German this week, in celebration of the popular spring festival. Come taste German food and beer; see great performances, enjoy fun events with the kids, and buy yourself some unique German omiyage for back home.
- Date
- Now through Sun, May 7, 2017
- Time
- 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
- Location
- YOKOHAMA RED BRICK WAREHOUSE EVENT PLAZA, 1-1 SHINKO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA PREFECTURE
- Fee
- Free!
Home Is Never Too Far
Furusato Oen Matsuri
Visiting all of Japan's 47 prefectures is a time (and cash)-consuming experience, but luckily a few people got together and came up with a single festival that brings the best of the best all the way from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Come and explore traditional Japanese performances, regional matsuri recreations, local specialties and more from all around Japan. A great event to get to know more about Japan and support prefectures that don't get the love they deserve.
- Date
- Wed, May 3 - Sun, May 7, 2017
- Time
- 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Location
- Hibiya Park, 1-2 HIBIYAKOEN, CHIYODA, TOKYO
- Fee
- Free!
A Bed Of Roses
Spring Rose Festival
The Kyu Furukawa Gardens is a rare gem in the center of busy Tokyo that combines the original Japanese style gardens from the early Taisho period with Western-style architecture and beautiful scenic views throughout all seasons. The most popular event there, however, is the garden’s spring rose festival, which introduces visitors to over 90 rose varieties and 180 rose plants from all over the world. Enjoy the sights and scents!
- Date
- Sat, May 6 through Wed, May 31, 2017
- Time
- 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Location
- Kyu Furukawa Gardens, 1-27-39 Nishigahara, Kita-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥150 (General)
Classical Music & Dance
La Folle Journée Music Festival 2017
The French-born classical music festival, the La Folle Journée (literally “The Crazy Day”), is now one of the most popular classical music events here in Tokyo, as well. This year, held for the 12th consecutive time, the festival's theme is "dance," tracing the intimate connection between music and dance through various performances from all over the world. From Hungarian dances and Romanian Folklore to classical ballet and more, a visit to this festival will leave you culturally enlightened and refreshed. Book tickets online in advance.
- Date
- Thu, May 4 – Sat, May 6, 2017
- Time
- Various. Check official website
- Location
- Tokyo International Forum, 3-5-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- From ¥1,500 (prices vary depending on concerts)
Heaven For Carnivores
Meat, Meat, Meat Festival
Steak? Cutlet? Sukiyaki? Kebab? Roasted beef? You can find it all here. A festival held in the name of the grill, this is heaven for anyone who's hungry for some solid meat. Come savor slices of meat whilst sipping on good wine and craft beer, and enjoy the live music performances by various musicians.
- Date
- Now through Sun, May 7, 2017
- Time
- 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. (12 p.m.- 9 p.m. on May 1 and 2, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Sunday)
- Location
- Aomi Koto-ku, Tokyo. A few minutes walk from Fune no Kagakukan Station on the Yurikamome Line.
- Fee
- Free entrance
Spring Flowers
Showa Kinen Park Flower Festival
Tachikawa's Showa Memorial Park is a heaven for family outings: there's flower viewing, picnicking, playing sports, barbecuing, water play, and so much more. The park is currently hosting its annual Flower Festival, which includes hundreds of hectares of beautiful tulips and other spring flowers of all colors and kinds. A perfect venue to get away from the crowds of Tokyo and enjoy a day in the park!
- Date
- NOW THROUGH SUN, MAY 28, 2017
- Time
- 9:30 A.M.–5 P.M.
- Location
- 3173 MIDORI-CHO, TACHIKAWA-SHI, TOKYO (CLOSEST STATION: NISHI TACHIKAWA)
- Fee
- ¥410 (ADULTS), ¥80 (ELEMENTARY AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS)
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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