This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For August 24-25
Dance, Festivals, And Fun In The City
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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