This Weekend: Tokyo Area Events for July 30-31

It looks like it's going to be another hot weekend in Tokyo and there are plenty of events fit for the great weather. On the agenda are a Taiwan festival, a Kagurazaka local matsuri, Sumidagawa fireworks, a rare historical lipstick exhibition, a flea market at Yasukuni shrine and a the opening of a pop up store by the one and only ice cream king Häagen-Dazs. Enjoy!

© Photo by Yoichiro Uno

Sky Lights

Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival

One of the largest, oldest and best known fireworks festivals in Tokyo, the Sumidagawa hanabi lights up the sky with 20,000 fireworks in all shapes and styles, attracting thousands of visitors near Tokyo Skytree for a spectacular night.

Date

Sat, July 30, 2016

Time

7:05 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.

Location

Sumida River, between Sakura and Kototoi bridges and between Komagata and Umaya bridges, Taito-ku

Fee

Free!

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Treasure Hunt

Yasukuni Shrine Flea Market

Though mostly known for its political controversy, Yasukuni Shrine is also heaven for any flea market admirers and treasure hunters. This Saturday, the shrine opens its grounds to pottery, antiques and other charm traders. There are approximately 200 stalls to choose the goodies from.

Date

Sat, July 30, 2016

Time

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Location

Yasukuni Shrine, 3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free!

The Colors of History

Early Showa Lipstick Exhibit

The unique small lipstick museum "Isehan-Honten Museum of Beni" is organizing a mini exhibition displaying the history of Japanese lipstick as it was in the early Showa period and how it evolved over the times.

Date

Now through Sun, Aug 28, 2016

Time

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Location

Isehan-Honten Museum of Beni, 6-6-20 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku,Tokyo

Fee

Free!

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I Scream for Ice Cream

Häagen-Dazs Summer Terrace

Taste the best of the world famous American brand's top ice cream flavors and special menus at this one-month limited pop up store opening in Daikanyama. On the menu are an apple and mango ice cream croissant, cookies and cream shakes, passion fruit granita and more.

Date

Now through Aug 18, 2016

Time

11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Location

Sign Daikanyama, 19-4 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Fee

From ¥480

Downtown Parade

Kagurazaka Matsuri

Explore the backstreets of this lovely downtown Tokyo neighborhood combining traditional and modern Japan as you stroll around food, drinks and other booths for this annual summer festival. On Saturday, the famous Awaodori dance procession will take place, drawing crowds of spectators for two performances by a group of children and adults. Partial proceeds of all sales during the festival will be donated for the reconstruction of the areas affected by the Kumamoto and Tohoku earthquakes.

Date

Fri, July 29 - Sat, July 30, 2016

Time

6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Location

Kagurazaka 1 - 6 chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Station: Iidabashi or Kagurazaka

Fee

Free

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Night Sensations

Aurora View Night in Yokosuka

Among all the things Yokosuka is famous for, it turns out that it's also the place for aurora viewing in the Kanto region, and apparently it's a one of a kind experience — not exactly the real thing, but quite close. Everyday from 8 p.m. for about half an hour visitors to the attraction park Soleil no Oka will be able to observe the artificially created magnificent light, in addition to barbecue, onsen and various other attractions at this lovely getaway park.

Date

Sat, July 30 - Sun, Aug, 21, 2016

Time

8 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Location

Soleil no Oka, Nagai 4-chome, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa

Fee

¥1,000 (Adults), free for elementary school children and under

A Taste of Taipei

Taiwan Festa in Yoyogi

Enjoy a taste of an authentic Taiwanese night market, delicious food and drinks this weekend at Yoyogi Park. Also on the agenda are various stage performances by Taiwanese celebrities and musicians.

Date

Sat, July 30 - Sun, July 31, 2016

Time

10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Location

Yoyogi Park, 2-3 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

Free

More Info