This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For August 3-4
Summer Festivals, Refreshments And Art In the City
Japan’s summer heat has officially kicked in which means it's kakigori, bon-odori tunes and yukata-filled matsuri time! This weekend you'll get the chance to explore the best of summer in Japan, be it local sights in Hachijoji, food at the Osake Otsumami Fes, or swings at the Nakameguro Summer Festival. There's also plenty of indoor events if you need to escape from the heat, including Asia's biggest art and design exhibition. Enjoy!
Stars & Wishes
Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri 2019
Of the three best known Tanabata Festivals in Tokyo, the Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri attracts thousands of people with its colorful bamboo and large decorations inspired by recent events and well-known attractions. Shopping streets around JR Asagaya station will be displaying all the impressive decorations, and there will be food stalls aplenty! Don't miss the chance to explore the charming local neighborhood of Asagaya, known for its cute shops and cafes, as well.
- Date
- SAT, AUG 3 - WED, AUG 7, 2019
- Time
- ALL DAY
- Location
- SHOPPING ARCADES NEAR ASAGAYA STATION, 1-35-18 ASAGAYA MINAMI, SUGINAMI-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, COUPLES, PHOTOGRAPHERS
Treasure Hunt
Antique Jamboree
If you love antiques, this is your weekend sorted! The largest antique event in Japan, the Antique Jamboree gathers over 500 vendors from all over the country who come to sell everything from old toys to pottery, gadgets and more. There is also a corner for repairing antique items, so if you have something hiding at home that needs a little expert love, bring it along. Happy hunting!
- Date
- FRI, AUG 2-SUN, AUG 4, 2019
- Time
- 10 A.M.-5 P.M.
- Location
- TOKYO BIG SIGHT SOUTH EXHIBITION HALL 3, 3-11-1 ARIAKE KOTO-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- ¥1,000. FREE ENTRANCE AFTER 1 P.M. ON SUNDAY.
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR ANTIQUE LOVERS, COLLECTORS, FRIENDS, COUPLES
Traditional Dance Fiesta
Nakameguro Summer Matsuri
If you're a fan of Japanese summer festivals (um who isn't?!), 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 traditional summer experience for all the family. Wear your yukata and dance to the drums until late at night.
- Date
- SAT, AUG 3- SUN, AUG 4, 2019
- Time
- 6 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
- Location
- NAKAMEGURO-GINZA SHOPPING STREET NEAR NAKAMEGURO STATION
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR FESTIVAL GOERS, DANCERS, FAMILY, FRIENDS, COUPLES
Sky Delights
Teganuma Kashiwa Fireworks
Another major fireworks event, the Kashiwa fireworks is one of the biggest hanabi in Chiba, lighting up the sky with a whopping 13,000 fireworks in all shapes and styles. Enjoy the show with over 400,000 visitors from the Kanto region. It's sure to be a spectacular night.
- Date
- SAT, AUG. 3, 2019
- Time
- 7 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
- Location
- TEGANUMA, KASHIWA, 20-MIN WALK FROM KITA-KASHIWA STATION ON THE JR JOBAN LINE
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR COUPLES, FAMILY, FRIENDS, PHOTOGRAPHERS
Creativity In Design
Design Festa Summer 2019
Now Asia's largest art and design festival, since 1994 Design Festa has been serving as a platform to over 12,000 artists—regardless of age, nationality or experience—and bringing them to Tokyo Big Sight to showcase their talent twice annually. 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.
- Date
- SAT, AUG 3-SUN, AUG 4, 2019
- 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
Ceylon Days
Sri Lanka Festival
The Sri Lanka Festival is a great chance to experience delicious Sri Lankan food, music, dancing, shopping, and even Ayurveda and yoga here in Tokyo. Each year a variety of vendors serve up a colorful array of Sri Lankan food including curry, egg hoppers, and kottu roti, as well as Sri Lankan beer and coconut wine. You'll also be able to browse the handmade jewelry, carvings, ceramics and spices all from the South Asian island.
- Date
- SAT, AUG 3-SUN, AUG 4, 2019
- Time
- 10 A.M.-8 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
Local Fests
Hachioji Festival
Typically drawing crowds of around 800,000 people, the Hachioji Festival is one of the most popular local neighborhood summer festivals in the city. 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 popular float parade.
- Date
- FRI, AUG 2-SUN, AUG 4, 2019
- Time
- AFTERNOON-9 P.M.
- Location
- AROUND HACHIOJI STATION
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS, MATSURI FANS
Alcohol and Appetizers
Osake Otsumami Fes
Immerse yourself in the wonderful world "otsumami," Japan's snacks made specifically to eat with alcohol. At the event, a variety of regional drinks including sake, beer, and wine will be on tap to pair with the finest appetizers from around 45 local restaurants and izakaya. Grab a seat and get sampling! Just make sure you don't plan anything for early morning the next day. We did warn you!
- Date
- FRI, JULY 2-SUN, JULY 4, 2019
- Time
- 11 A.M.-9 P.M. (FRI) -8P.M. (SAT), -6 P.M. (SUN)
- Location
- HIBIYA PARK, FOUNTAIN SQUARE, HIBIYA PARK, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, COUPLES, BAR MATES
Local Parade
Ueno Summer Festival
Spread across several weeks, this summer festival's highlight is the exciting 7-hour-long parade starting from Ueno station to Ueno's central street on Saturday. As usual, there will be delicious festival snacks at food booths, street and dance performances, and other entertaining events for the crowd!
- Date
- NOW THROUGH MON, AUG 12, 2019
- Time
- 10 A.M. - 9 P.M.
- Location
- UENO PARK, 2 UENO KOEN, TAITO-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, FAMILIES, SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS, JAPANESE CULTURE FANS
Golden Age Musical
The Broadway Musical The King and I
This weekend is your last chance to catch the multi-award winning and critically acclaimed Lincoln Center Theater’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I” at the Orb Theatre. Starring Tony Award winner, Kelli O'Hara, and Tony Award nominee, Ken Watanabe, this beloved musical tells the story of a British school teacher who is hired as part of the King's drive to modernize his country.
- Date
- NOW THROUGH SUN, AUG 4, 2019
- Time
- 12 P.M., 1 P.M., 5:00 P.M., 5:45 P.M.
- Location
- THEATRE ORB, SHIBUYA HIKARIE 11TH FLOOR 2-21-1 SHIBUYA, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- ¥9,000-¥19,000 (UNDER 25 ¥6,500 MUST PRESENT ID)
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: CIRCUS LOVERS, FRIENDS, COUPLES
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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