This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For Aug 4-5

Summer Festivals, Art, And Fun In The City

By The Savvy Team |
August 3, 2018 |
What's Happening

Kakigori, crying cicadas, bon odori drum tunes, yukata: the season of Japanese summer matsuri has officially begun! This weekend you'll get the chance to explore many of them, be it local sights in Hachijoji, food stalls and late night slow dancing at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum, or powerful swings at the Nakameguro Summer Festival. And after you've covered them all, take a moment to also appreciate the art and creativity that surrounds us daily — there's plenty of that to see this weekend, too! Enjoy!

Open-Air Summer Time Slip

Downtown Summer Night Breeze — A Museum Festival

Edo Tokyo Open-Air Museum is a wonderful historical and architectural spot to visit at any given time in the year, but once August begins, for one weekend only, the venue time-slips into the Showa era, bringing the best of Japan's traditional matsuri: bon-odori dancing, food stalls, mikoshi parades for children, games, and even Showa-period retro photo ops!

Date: Sat, Aug 4-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
Time: 3 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Location: Edo Tokyo Open Air Museum, 3-7-1 Sakuracho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo (inside Koganei Park)
Fee: ¥400 (Adults)
Info: Recommended for: Families, Kids, Couples, Friends

More Info

Creativity In Design

Design Festa Summer 2018

Design Festa brings together hundreds of professionals and amateurs to exhibit their artworks and designs. Since 1994, the event has been serving as a platform to over 12,000 artists regardless of age, nationality or talents twice a year. In addition to some amazing live performances, there is also a large variety of stalls to buy handmade crafts, paintings and other unique pieces to take back home, but the festa is also just a great way to discover new artists, be inspired by art and design, and just have fun!

Date: Sat, Aug 4-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
Time: 11 a.m.-7 P.M.
Location: Tokyo Big Site East Halls, 3-11-1 ARIAKE, KOTO-KU, TOKYO
Fee: ¥800 (ADVANCE), ¥1,000 (AT THE DOOR)
Info: Recommended for: Artists, Art lovers, Creative Minds

More Info

525,600 Minutes Of Your Life

Broadway Musical "Rent" Japan Tour 2018

The legendary award-winning creation of late Jonathan Larson, Rent follows the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in New York City amid poverty, homosexuality, drugs, struggles, love and loss. But above all, it is friendship that unites them and keeps them looking to the future. A musical that tells real-life stories and tells them so damn well. The famous theme song '525,600 minutes' will keep you thinking and rethinking when you find yourself once again: "How do you measure a year?"

Date: Wed, Aug 1-Sun, Aug 12, 2018
Time: Various. See website
Location: Shibuya Hikarie 11F, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥9,000-¥13,000
Info: Recommended for: Musical fans, Couples, Friends

More Info

Stars & Wishes

Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri

One of the three best known Tanabata Festivals in Tokyo, the Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri attracts thousands of people with its colorful bamboo and large figures decorations. Shopping streets around the JR Asagaya station will feature various ornaments and refreshment stalls, welcoming the crowds to cool off and explore the area. Every year, people look forward to the decorations, which reflect on major recent events — guess what's coming up this year!

Date: Fri, Aug 3-Tue, Aug 7, 2018
Time: All day
Location: SHOPPING ARCADES NEAR ASAGAYA STATION, 1-35-18 ASAGAYA MINAMI, SUGINAMI-KU, TOKYO
Fee: Free!
Info: Recommended for: Families, Friends, Couples

More Info

Paint Your 'Gram

Vinyl Museum: Instagram Spot

Want to spice up your Instagram with aesthetic photo-worthy visuals? The Vinyl Art Museum is a unique and imaginative touring art exhibition unlike anything you've ever experienced. This photogenic museum allows you to become part of the artwork — and instantly win over your followers! The theme for this time's event is 'Paint Your Summer.'

Date: Now through Sun, Aug 5, 2018
Time: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Location: Tokyu Plaza Ginza, BALLY 2F, 5-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥1,800
Info: Recommended for: Instagrammers, Friends, Couples, Families

More Info

Old Is Gold

Antique Jamboree: Flea Market

If you love antique, this is your weekend! The largest antique event in Japan, the Antique Jamboree gathers over 500 vendors from all over the country, selling everything from Japanese and Western antiques to old toys, pottery, gadgets and more. There is also a corner for repairing antique items, so if you have something hiding at home, bring it along!

Date: Fri, Aug 3-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: TOKYO BIG SIGHT EAST EXHIBITION HALL 1, 3-11-1 ARIAKE KOTO-KU, TOKYO
Fee: ¥1,000. FREE FOR ENTRANCE AFTER 1 P.M. ON SUNDAY.
Info: Recommended for: Antique fans, Collectors

More Info

Nature & Colors

Resonating Trees Ginza Six Rooftop Garden

On the roof of Ginza Six, the popular upbeat shopping destination, Team Lab has created a beautiful light up of the trees along the canal. The lights can sense movement and change colors and tones as people pass by creating a spectactical awareness of the existence of the other living things that surround us. The perfect date spot for a romantic summer night out!

Date: Wed, Aug 1-Sun, Sept 2, 2018
Time: Sunset-11 p.m.
Location: Ginza Six Rooftop Garden, 6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Fee: Free!
Info: Recommended for: Couples

More Info

Ceylon Days

Sri Lanka Festival

The Sri Lanka Festival calls on all those who love Sri Lankan style of food, music, dancing, shopping and even ayurveda and yoga. Each year a variety of vendors are known to serve up a beautiful array of Sri Lankan food including rice and curry, string hoppers, hoppers, egg hoppers, kotturotti, cutlets, rotti and vaddai as well as Sri Lankan beer and coconut arrack. The vendors will be selling everything from jewelry, to carvings, to ceramics to Sri Lankan spices!

Date: Sat, Aug 4-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Location: Yoyogi Park Outdoor Stage, 2-2-3 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Fee: Free!
Info: Recommended for: Friends, Families, Foodies, Couples, World Travelers

More Info

Yosakoi X Awaodori Fiesta

Nakameguro Summer Matsuri

If you enjoy Japanese summer festivals, the Nakameguro Matsuri is one you shouldn't miss. Featuring two of the most popular traditional Japanese dances, awaodori and yosakoi, this festival attracts over 20,000 people annually and is a fantastic downtown summer experience for everyone in the family. Wear your yukata and enjoy the loud drum sounds until late at night.

Date: SAT, AUG 4- SUN, AUG 5, 2018
Time: 5:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
Location: NAKAMEGURO-GINZA SHOPPING STREET NEAR NAKAMEGURO STATION
Fee: Free!
Info: Recommended for: Matsuri fans, Nakameguro fans, Friends, Families, Couples, Social Media Influencers

More Info

Washoku Hands-on

Japan Culture Workshops: Temari Sushi and Japanese Pickles

Just in time for the Asagaya Tanabata Festival, Suginami ward is offering a chance for foreigners to deepen their understanding of the Japanese culture through various workshops. This time, on the agenda is a sushi-making workshop where you can learn to make simple "Temari" ball sushi, and the basics of koji-fermentation to make Japanese pickles. If you choose to stick around Asagaya for the day, there's also a Japanese sake tasting later in the day. Check details on website. Book by August 4.

Date: Sun, Aug 5, 2018
Time: 1) 10:30 a.m.–11 a.m. 2) 11:15 a.m.–11:45 a.m. 3) 1 p.m.–1:30 p.m. 4) 1:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
Location: Coto Lab Cooking Studio in Beans, Asagaya, 2-42-1, Asagayaminami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥2,160 per person (Ingredients & tools provided)
Info: Recommended for: English speakers, Foodies, People interested in Japanese cuisine, Couples

More Info

Local Fests

Hachioji Festival

With a usual attendance of over 800,000, Hachioji Festival is one of the most popular local neighborhood summer festivals in Tokyo. The night is filled with a range of fun attractions for couples and families such as geisha performances, taiko drummers, a lion dance, night markets and a float parade! The event is known as one of Japan's best float parades with beautiful floats all made by different sculptures.

Date: Fri, Aug 3-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
Time: 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Location: Around Hachioji Station
Fee: Free
Info: Recommended for: Families, Couples, Friends, Matsuri Fans

More Info

Spice Indulgence

Curry Bread Exhibition

Run by the Curry Pan Association (they really have all sorts of organizations in Japan!), the event offers a huge variety of curry bread from top bakeries in Japan. Come taste, eat and buy in bulks for back home. Also, witness the event try for the "Most curry bread sold in 8 hours" Guinness challenge — the curry pan that sold most in eight hours may get a special recognition! Last year over 150 varieties of curry bread was served up and this year they're expecting it to be bigger and better than ever.

Date: Sat, Aug 4-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
Time: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Location: Matsuzakaya Ueno, Main Building 6F, 3-29-5 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Fee: Free entrance. Bread from ¥300
Info: Recommended for: Foodies, Friends, Social Media Influencers

More Info

What are your plans for the weekend? If you’re organizing a fun or interesting event, or you know someone who is, contact us to get it listed!

Attending any of these events? Send us photos through Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyTokyo