This Weekend: Tokyo Area Events For August 27-28

"Save the best for the last" is the keyword this weekend as we see August fold off with some of the hottest events this month, among which the annual Samba Carnival in Asakusa, the Koenji Awa Odori and a special exposition focused on student art at Tokyo Big Sight. Also on the agenda is an ice cream expo in Odaiba, a fireworks and beer garden in Saitama and a special time slip in Showa Japan at Shinjuku's Golden Gai Summer Matsuri. May you all have a wonderful end of August!

Latin Rhythms

Asakusa Samba Carnival

The largest Samba festival in Japan gathers thousands of spectators in Asakusa to watch a powerful parade of competing teams dancing to the rhythm of Latin soul. Held for the 35th time this year, the Asakusa Samba Carnival is a classic summer show you shouldn't miss.

Date

Sat, Aug. 27, 2016

Time

1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Location

Umamichi-dori Street and Kaminarimon-dori Street near Asakusa station

Fee

Free

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Summer Affairs

Seibuen Yuenchi Fireworks & Beer Garden

Put fireworks and beer garden together, base them at an amusement park with plenty of playgrounds and you get the ultimate summer family experience. Spend the day enjoying the numerous attractions and end it with a glass of cold beer as 2,000 fireworks light up the sky.

Date

Sat, Aug. 27 - Sun, Aug. 28, 2016

Time

Fireworks: 7:45 p.m. Beer Garden: 5 p.m. - 8: 45 p.m.

Location

Seibuen Amusement Park, 2964 Yamaguchi, Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama Pref.

Fee

Park Entrance: ¥1,100 (Adults), ¥500 (kids). Free with Beer Garden reservation.

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Aspiring Art

Gakuten: All Student Art Festival

It's always inspiring to meet creative and passionate young people and if there's an event that manages to bring the best of Japan's young talent together it's definitely the Gakuten. This annual art event presents students works and gathers hundreds of young painters, sculptors, illustrators, photographers and musicians to display, sell and perform their art. Visit and support!

Date

Sat, Aug. 27 - Sun, Aug. 28, 2016

Time

11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Location

Tokyo Big Sight West 1,2 Hall, 3 Chome-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥1,000 (door), ¥700 (advance)

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Sweet Wonderland

Ice Cream Expo

Quit that diet for a day and plunge into a wonderland of over 100 of Japan's top ice creams from various regions in the country at Diver City until the end of this weekend. Nothing can beat the heat better than ice cream and whether you're visiting with the kids or friends, we guarantee that you won't regret the extra calories.

Date

Now through Sun, Aug. 28, 2016

Time

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Location

Diver City Tokyo, 1-1-10 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free entry

Downtown Sways

Koenji Awa Odori

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 and this year's theme is "Spreading Smiles." Come and see the 10,000 dancers do exactly that, but be warned that the popularity of this event brings hundreds of thousands visitors, and it can get hot and crowded.

Date

Sat, Aug. 27 - Sun, Aug. 28, 2016

Time

5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Location

Along the shopping streets north and south of JR Koenji Station

Fee

Free

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Summer Time Slip

Golden Gai Summer Matsuri

Behind the city noise and flashy neon lights there's another side of Shinjuku — the Golden Gai alley; the endless tunnels of bars and diners bearing a touch of nostalgic Showa Japan, where drinks always come with a chance encounter and deep conservation. This Sunday, Golden Gai's 250-something bars and restaurants will celebrate the summer with drinks and special menus, including free karaoke, drinks and even deer curry. Visit for a different perspective of Japan, meet new faces and find your favorite Golden Gai spot.

Date

Sun, Aug. 28, 2016

Time

3 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Location

Golden Gai, 1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free entry, ¥500 per drink

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Summer Smoke

Texas Smoked Barbecue at The Grand Hyatt Tokyo

Not falling precisely on the weekend, but unique food events are always worth mentioning. The Grand Hyatt Tokyo is planning a special collaboration dubbed "The Smoke Project," an authentic exhibition of a uniquely American cuisine: slow-cooked Texas smoked barbecue. "The Smoke Project" will start with a kick-off party Thursday, September 1 and the evening will feature an exclusive menu with an assortment of 100 percent oak-smoked meats from several American ranches. For guests who are unable to attend the kick-off event, the menu will be available all of September. Be sure to book a reservation!

Date

Thu, Sep. 1, 2016

Time

6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Location

The Oak Door, The Grand Hyatt 6F, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥9,500 (¥4,000 for lunch)

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