This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For August 3-4

Summer Festivals, Refreshments And Art In the City

By The Savvy Team |
August 2, 2019 |
What's Happening

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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