This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For August 24-25

If there's one single weekend in the year that brings together all major Japanese dance events in Tokyo, it's definitely this one. Get ready for a busy weekend, because there's a lot to experience and explore: from Koenji's Awa Odori and Harajuku's Yosakoi to Hibiya's Bon Odori and a few local festivals, this is, by all means, the hottest way to end August! Enjoy!

Street Sways

Koenji Awaodori Festival

Another major dance event on the list this weekend, the annual Koenji Awa Odori is one of the largest of its kind in the capital. Come and see the nearly 170 teams dance the night away under traditional tunes and drums, forming a one-of-a-kind spectacular show! Be warned that the popularity of this event brings thousands of visitors, so it can get hot and crowded.

Date

SAT, AUG 24 - SUN, AUG 25, 2019

Time

5 P.M. - 8 P.M.

Location

ALONG THE SHOPPING STREETS NORTH AND SOUTH OF JR KOENJI STATION.

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: JAPANESE CULTURE FANS, MATSURI LOVERS, SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS, FAMILIES

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Learn, Play, Eat

Kids Pastry Chef Experience

The international restaurant, The Terrace, will be holding a cake decorating experience for kids where they will be able to decorate cakes with a variety of fruits and sauces. The cakes will then be served as the dessert of your french course meal afterward. The kids will also be taught some easy table manners too! This family package is a great way for kids to play and learn while the parents enjoy a delicious french lunch.

Date

NOW THROUGH SAT, AUG 31, 2019 (WEEKDAYS ONLY)

Time

11:30 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Location

FRENCH RESTAURANT VICTORS, 1-4-1 MITA, MEGURO CITY, TOKYO

Fee

¥6,000 (ADULT) ¥4,000 (CHILD) PRE-BOOKING REQUIRED 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE TEL. 03-5423-7777

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, KIDS, LITTLE CHEFS, FRENCH CUISINE LOVERS

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So They Know They Can Dance

Harajuku Super Yosakoi Festival

Yosakoi, a traditional dance originating from Kochi prefecture, is an up-tempo powerful dance that will get you up on your feet and shaking hips! One of the most famous festivals in Tokyo, the Harajuku Omotesando Super Yosakoi gathers 108 teams this year — one of the largest ever! Also a competition, each team invests many efforts into their costumes, hairstyles, and of course, performance originality, making this event a spectacular and motivating sight.

Date

SAT, AUG 24 - SUN, AUG 25, 2019

Time

9 A.M. - 8 P.M. (SAT), 9 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. (SUN)

Location

NHK ENTRANCE ROAD, KEYAKI NAMIKI, 1-5-11 JINNAN, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS, FANS OF JAPANESE CULTURE

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Get In The Circle

Hibiya Park Great Bon Odori

Held for the 17th consecutive time this year, people will gather in Hibiya Park to dance the traditional bon odori in groups, forming quite a show for spectators. One of the largest in the city, this annual event gathers over 40,000 visitors and counting. A great way to bid goodbye to summery August.

Date

FRI, AUG 23 - SAT, AUG 24, 2019

Time

6 P.M - 9 P.M.

Location

HIBIYA PARK FOUNTAIN AREA, HIBIYA KOEN, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: BON ODORI FANS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS, COUPLES, INSTAGRAMMERS

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Shout Your Heart Out

Yokosuka Yell Competition

Finally a place where you can shout at the top of your lungs and rather than receiving complaints from your neighbors, you may actually win a prize! This weekend, head to Yokosuka and give it a try at its annual Yell Competition. The rules? Say what you want and set yourself free—but shout louder than your competitors to win the prize.

Date

SUN, AUG 25, 2019

Time

FROM 1 P.M. REGISTRATION STARTS AT 12:15 P.M.

Location

MYOZOJI TEMPLE, 4-7-11 IKEGAMI, YOKOSUKA-SHI, KANAGAWA

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, KIDS, COUPLES, FRIENDS, FRUSTRATED PEOPLE

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In The Heat Of The Night

Azabu Juban Noryo Matsuri

Literally meaning "cool the night," the Noryo Festival is a typical Japanese summer event held by local areas to cool down on hot summer nights. Azabu Juban shopping district will heat up this weekend with food stalls, game corners for the kids and families, and many other events. The Bon Dance in the evening is also a must-see experience (if you haven't seen one yet).

Date

SAT, AUG 24 - SUN, AUG 25, 2019

Time

3 P.M. - 9 P.M.

Location

AZABU JUBAN SHOPPING DISTRICT (PATIO-DORI STREET, ZOSHIKI-DORI STREET, ETC.) VIA AZABU JUBAN STATION

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, COUPLES

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To The Samba Beat

Sancha Latin Festival

Head to Sangenjaya this weekend for the annual Sancha Latin Festival where you'll see various live shows, food stalls, and of course, the Sunday Samba Parade held on the main streets of Sangenjaya. Not as big as the Asakusa Samba Festival, but this one's worth a go too!

Date

SAT, AUG. 24 - SUN, AUG, 25, 2019

Time

11 A.M. - 7 P.M.

Location

CHAZAWA-DORI AVENUE AND OTHER VENUES IN TAISHIDO, SETAGAYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, KIDS, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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Spicy As Hell And Tasty As Well

Gekikara Gourmet Festival

Find how much spice you need in your life at this festival of everything from ultra-hot curry rice to ramen to even more spicy chicken served to you by prominent cooks from all over the world. Held for the 7th consecutive year, the third (out of six) round for this summer will take place this weekend. Make the last of your summer extra hot!

Date

FRI, AUG 23 - WED, AUG 28, 2019. (ROUND 3)

Time

11 A.M. - 9 P.M.

Location

SHINJUKU OKUBO PARK, 2-43 KABUKICHO, SHINJUKU-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE ENTRY, FOOD ITEMS FROM ¥800-¥1,200

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FOODIES, SPICY FOOD FANS, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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Fun With Friends

Fun With Friends

NHK and NHK Enterprise will be holding the 2019 Shibuya Friendship Festival to recognize diversity across borders such as disabilities and nationalities. The venue will be the 1964 Tokyo Paralympic opening ceremony stage, Yoyogi Park Athletics Stadium. In addition to the para sports experience, this is an event where various people from different backgrounds can gather and interact while enjoying a variety of cool entertainment such as an acoustic concert at dusk, a live performance, and a parade of light at night.

Date

SUN, AUG 25, 2019

Time

11 A.M. - 8:30 P.M.

Location

YOYOGI PARK ATHLETIC STADIUM, 2-3-1 JINNAN, SHIBUYA CITY, TOKYO

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, KIDS, COUPLES, FRIENDS, EVERYONE AND ANYONE

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Disney's Best

Musical: Blast! The Music of Disney

If you’re a Disney lover this musical is a must. The special show will feature everyone's favorite Disney sounds from various Disney movies such as Aladdin, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Pirates of the Caribbean, and so much more! The show will also feature the famous main street electrical parade; fun for the whole family and a great way to get out of this summer heat!

Date

TUE, AUG 20 - SUN, SEPT 1, 2019

Time

VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)

Location

TOKYU THEATRE ORB, SHIBUYA HIKARIE 11F, 2-21-1 SHIBUYA, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥8,000 - ¥11,500

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, KIDS, DISNEY LOVERS, MUSICAL FANS

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