We compiled a list of must-attend 7 summer activities and events in Tokyo for 2023! It’s hot in summer, but there’s lots to do! Many events are being held again this year after being canceled during the pandemic. Enjoy fireworks displays, festivals, and themed events all summer!
If you plan to travel to Tokyo and surrounding areas, you should take note of the dates of these events!
Table of Contents
- Enjoy Tokyo Bay by Boat
- Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival
- Shinjuku Eisa Taiko Festival
- Asagaya Tanabata Festival
- Comic Market
- Summer Sonic
- Tokyo Koenji Awa-Odori
1. Enjoy Tokyo Bay by Boat
Image Source
What better way to enjoy the summer than to be outdoors! But since it’s hot during the day, how about enjoying the cool evening/night breeze while viewing Tokyo by boat? Tokyo Nouryousen has you covered!
Take a large cruise ship around Tokyo Bay, enjoy the beautiful night view, eat some delicious food, and even wear a yukata while you’re on board! The yukata rental is offered right at the boarding terminal, so you don’t have to go out of your way! Taking yukata pictures is a popular summer activity among young people, and this is a great way to do it without having to buy your own or worry about dry cleaning and such.
Date: July 7 ~ September 18, 2023
Time: 7:15 pm to 9 pm
Price: 1500 yen per person (500 yen for elementary school students) to board; 500 yen discount Mon-Thurs if you wear a yukata; price does not include food or yukata
Duration: About 1 hour and 45 minutes
Location: Takeshiba Ferry Terminal
Official Site
While they don’t necessarily offer rental yukatas, other Tokyo Bay cruising options include
-
Tokyo Cruise (night cruises currently suspended but daytime ones operating)
-
Symphony Tokyo Bay Cruise (most have a meal set, but just the cruise can also be booked)
-
Yakatabune (traditional Japanese entertainment boat cruise with a meal, usually dinner) - check out Harumiya, Amitatsu, etc.
Writer's Pick
2. Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival
Image Source
Initiated by Tokugawa Yoshimune, the eighth shogun general of the Edo period, Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival is the oldest fireworks display in Japan (although it’s gone through some name changes over the years). The Sumidagawa or Sumida River Fireworks Festival is one of the three major fireworks displays in Tokyo. It is loved by many people and is very popular with couples for a summer date. As such, be prepared for the crowds!
The 46th Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival will be held this summer after a four-year break. A total of about 20,000 fireworks will be launched into the sky from two different spots along the river, and you can enjoy the grand and beautiful fireworks from a wide area. However, prime spots go fast (like watching from Skytree or riverboats), and people reserve spots along the river sometimes almost a full day before.
Date: July 29, 2023 (Saturday)
Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Venue: Between Sakurabashi and Kototoibashi (1st venue), between Komagatabashi and Kuramaebashi (2nd venue) in Taito-ku, Tokyo
Official Site
Read more about fireworks festivals in Japan here.
3. Shinjuku Eisa Taiko Festival
In the festival held in Shinjuku in 2001, teams who perform Okinawan traditional dances were invited to participate. At first, 330 performers from 5 groups performed, but it expanded more and more from there! In recent years (pre-pandemic), more than 1,000 people from 25 groups participated, and over a million spectators came to watch! Dynamic dances and gorgeous outfits along with the sound of taiko drums and shamisen bring the summer atmosphere of Okinawa to the streets of Shinjuku.
Date: July 29, 2023 (Saturday)
Time: 12:00~20:00
Venue: Shinjuku Station East Exit & West Exit area
Official Site
4. Asagaya Tanabata Festival
Sponsored by 8 shop associations around Asagaya Station, this festival has been held for more than 60 years and is a local traditional event. Huge and colorful Tanabata decorations and lanterns are displayed in the 700-meter-long arcade shopping street. Some of them are themed with popular characters, and you can walk through and under the beautiful decorations to enjoy them. There are also various stalls selling snacks such as takoyaki and shaved ice - typical summer festival foods!
Date: August 4 ~ 8, 2023
Time: 10 am to around 10 pm (※ ending time TBA)
Venue: Asagaya Station Pearl Center Shopping Street (Access from Asagaya and Minami-Asagaya Stations)
Official Site
5. Comic Market
COMIC MARKET, also known as Comiket, is the largest fan event in Japan and the world. It is held in Tokyo Big Sight every August and December, with more than 30,000 participating vendors and more than 550,000 visitors! You can see fan-made works (and buy them!) from different vendors, cosplayers, and more over the weekend - anime fans must visit at least once!
Date: August 12-13, 2023
Time: 10:30 am to 4 pm
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, Odaiba
Official Site
6. SUMMER SONIC
SUMMER SONIC is one of the largest music festivals in Japan. It is held in Tokyo and Osaka at the same time. The Tokyo venue is located at ZOZO Marine Stadium & Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture. This music festival brings together popular musicians, idol groups, and rock bands from Japan and abroad, allowing audiences to enjoy a variety of genres all day.
In 2023, popular Japanese artists such as SEKAI NO OWARI and YOASOBI will be there, while overseas artists like Blur, Kendrick Lamar, Fall Out Boy, NewJeans and many more will also perform! Tickets need to be purchased in advance.
Date: August 19-20, 2023
Venue: Makuhari Messe & ZOZO Marine Stadium
Official Site
Note: Tickets are already sold out for this summer as it’s a super popular event every year. Plan in advance for next year to make sure you can grab tickets!
Check out other music festivals this year here:
7. Tokyo Koenji Awa-Odori
Image Source
Tokyo Koenji Awa Dance began in 1957 to revitalize the local shopping street, and then gradually expanded to adjacent shopping streets and surrounding communities, becoming an annual event and one of Tokyo's big summer attractions.
10,000 dancers participate in the event every year, and it attracts millions of people. Due to the impact of the pandemic, performing on the street was stopped for three years, moving performances to a stage. This year, the Awa Odori event resume on the street, and the lively atmosphere throughout the town will be back!
Date: August 26-27, 2023
Venue: Around and between Koenji Station and Shin Koenji Station
Official Site
Check out our article about popular Awa Odori group Takarabune.
To Close
There are so many activities and events in Japan in summer. Come to participate in different festivals and activities to enjoy music, animation, and traditional culture, and most of all - enjoy summer to the fullest!!
