Best Summer Festivals in Tokyo You Can’t Miss in 2025!
Tokyo in the summer is hot, both in temperature and in energy. As the city heats up, so does its calendar of vibrant and variegated matsuri (festivals), drawing locals and visitors alike into the heart of Japanese culture. These festivals are the perfect opportunity to experience and witness traditional dances, wear colorful yukata, enjoy street food, and feel the pulse of Japan’s community spirit!
If you’re living in Tokyo, here on a short visit, or considering doing an internship in Japan this summer, experiencing at least one of these festivals is a must. With centuries-old traditions and lively parades, each event offers a unique window into Japan’s culture, values, and history. And with events happening almost every weekend, you have a lot of options to choose from!
In this post, we’ll walk you through some of the most iconic and memorable summer festivals in Tokyo, so you don’t miss out on the chance to make some incredible memories.
Why You Should Attend a Japanese Summer Festival
Summer festivals in Japan go beyond seasonal celebrations, they’re a colorful expression of culture, tradition, and community spirit. Known as natsu matsuri (夏祭り), these events bring people together to enjoy traditional dances, fireworks, and rituals that have existed since centuries ago. For many Japanese people, these festivals are a cherished part of summer and a time to connect with family, neighbors, and friends.
From the moment you step into a festival area, you’re surrounded right away by a sensory mix of lanterns, taiko drums, sizzling street food, and people dressed in yukata. It’s an immersive experience where past and present come together, where many of these traditions like Bon Odori dancing or carrying mikoshi (portable Shinto shrines), have been passed down for generations, offering a glimpse into Japan’s spiritual and social history.
For anyone lucky enough to be in Japan during this time (heat and humidity aside!), these festivals offer a lively and welcoming environment to interact with locals, try new foods, and better understand the local culture. And if you’re here for an internship, experiencing a festival first-hand can add a new layer to your to your time as an intern in Japan, allowing you to see how tradition coexists with everyday life, something particular especial in Tokyo, where the contrast between the city’s modern skyline and ancient customs makes festivals a magical sight.
Top 5 Must-See Summer Festivals in Tokyo
With so many events happening across the city, it can be hard to decide where to start from. That's why we’ve selected five fun festivals that capture the essence of the Japanese summer!
❗️Please note that Japan’s typhoon season is most active between July and September, so events may be canceled or postponed due to the weather. Always check the official websites before attending!
1. Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival
📍 Sumida River (There are different spots along the river where you can watch them)
📅 Last Saturday of July (July 26, 2025).
🕣 Start Time: 7 PM
One of Tokyo’s most iconic summer events, and maybe its most iconic fireworks show, the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival lights up the skies along the Sumida River with over 20,000 fireworks. Dating back to the Edo period, this festival is truly a spectacle, drawing massive crowds of tourists and locals alike.
If the fireworks aren’t enough, you’ll also find vendors lining the riverside with stalls selling takoyaki, yakisoba, kakigōri (shaved ice), and many other treats, creating a festive atmosphere from late afternoon.
This is one of those moments that shows you how ancient history still remains alive in Japan. Just be sure to head out early or scope out a good rooftop view, because places fill up very quickly!
2. Summer Oedo Beer Festival
📍 Machida Shibahiro (Map)
📅 Season 1: Wednesday, July 30th – Sunday, August 3 | Season 2: Thursday, August 7th – Monday, August 11th
🕣 Weekdays: 4pm - 9pm | Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 12pm - 9pm | Final day of each season:12pm - 8pm
For a more relaxed but lively summer event, the Summer Oedo Beer Festival offers two chances to enjoy craft beer in the open air!
A whole festival dedicated to the different breweries around Japan, with picnic tables, food trucks, live music, and a social vibe, it’s an ideal event for professionals and interns alike, so if you’re spending your summer interning in Japan, this kind of casual event is great for unwinding after work or networking in a more laid-back setting.
It’s also a fun way to taste Japan’s growing craft beer scene, which is expanding beyond the big-name brands. Even if you go together with coworkers, friends, or prefer the solo way, this festival feels like Tokyo summer at its most fun and easygoing side.
3. Asagaya Tanabata Festival
📍 Asagaya Pearl Center Shopping Street (Map)
📅 Thursday, August 7th — Monday, August 11th
Tanabata, the Star Festival, is celebrated across Japan in early August, but Asagaya’s version stands out for its colorful handmade papier-mâché decorations, transforming the shopping center into a tunnel of paper streamers and all kind of cartoon characters, making it one of the most photogenic and fun events of the season!
The Asagaya Tanabata Festival it’s also a great way to explore a more residential part of Tokyo and see how locals celebrate, with the streets filled with food stalls, games, and families enjoying their summer break together.
The festival’s origins are based on a Chinese legend about star-crossed lovers, also adding a romantic charm to the event, so if you happen to be in Japan, this festival is a beautiful reminder of the country’s storytelling traditions and artistic flair.
4. Tokyo Kōenji Awa Odori
📍 Streets around JR Koenji Station (Map)
📅 Saturday, August 23 — Sunday, August 24
🕣 From 5PM to 8PM
Awa Odori originated in Tokushima, but Tokyo’s Kōenji neighborhood hosts one of the biggest and most energetic versions outside of Shikoku. Over two days, more than 10,000 dancers in traditional outfits parade the streets, dancing to the beat of flutes, shamisen, and taiko drums, attracting crowds of thousands of people during its duration, making it the perfect chance to see the full vibrancy of Japanese festival culture up close.
What makes this festival special is its strong community feel, with both professional and local groups taking part in the event, showing how even a big city like Tokyo can maintain tight-knit traditions.
5. Roppongi Hills Bon Odori
📍 Roppongi Hills Arena (Map)
📅 Late August (Official Dates TBA)
Held in the heart of one of Tokyo’s most international districts, the Roppongi Hills Bon Odori is a modern twist on a classic tradition. The event features a large central tower (yagura) for Bon dancing, surrounded by gourmet food stalls, games, and many more fun events.
Because of the location, it tends to attract a good mix of locals, expats, and tourists, making it welcoming and a great way to experience Japanese tradition in a comfortable setting, especially for those who might feel nervous joining traditional events.
Bon Odori, or Bon dance, is a traditional Japanese folk dance performed during the Obon season, a time dedicated to honoring the spirits of ancestors. Bon Odori traces its origins to a centuries-old tradition of welcoming ancestral spirits through music, dance and celebration.
The dancing is easy to follow and the traditional music contagious; even if you’ve never tried before, you’ll find yourself moving in sync with everyone else in no time. If you’re in Japan during the summer, you can check out the many videos online to practice before the big event!
Festival Survival Tips
Attending summer festivals in Tokyo is an exciting experience, but it also means dealing with large crowds, hot and humid weather, and long days on your feet. A little preparation can help ensure you enjoy every moment.
- Stay Hydrated: As mentioned in this post already, Tokyo summers are very hot and humid! Bring a reusable water bottle and refill at public fountains when you can. Many festivals also have drink stands, so don't put aside staying hydrated.
- Dress Smart: Lightweight, breathable clothes are a must. If you want to wear a yukata (summer kimono), go for it! There are many places where you can rent one, just make sure you’re comfortable walking around in it all day.
- Bring Cash: While Japan is increasingly cashless, many festival stalls still only accept cash. Keep small bills and coins handy for snacks, drinks, or souvenirs.
- Plan Ahead: Festivals draw big crowds, especially in Tokyo. Arrive early for a good spot, especially at fireworks events, and check public transport schedules ahead of time.
- Be Respectful: Festivals are fun, but they’re also cultural and community-centered events. Follow local etiquette: wait in line, dispose of trash properly, be mindful of noise and space, and try to approach these festivals with respect for their cultural significance, rather than as purely entertainment.
How Summer Festivals Fit Into An Internship Experience
When you’re doing an internship in Japan, it’s easy to fall into a routine: commuting, working, and adjusting to a new professional culture. That’s why stepping outside the office and into a summer festival can be such a refreshing (and important) part of your overall experience.
These events offer a rare glimpse into local traditions and everyday life, something you won’t get just by navigating your internship responsibilities. Joining a fireworks show or enjoying festival snacks in a lively crowd offers a chance to unwind, meet new people, and experience a more relaxed side of life in Japan. These casual, memorable moments can bring a sense of balance to your routine and help you feel more connected to your surroundings. Festivals can also help interns practice the language in real-life settings, ordering food, asking for directions, or just joining in on the fun.
For many, this is where cultural understanding really clicks: festivals allow you to truly immerse yourself in the culture you’re working in, not just observe it from the outside, and not only through the lens of workplace culture. So, remember not to make your time interning in Japan all about work, but to also take a moment to pause and take in the culture from all its different angles. That’s one of the most beautiful aspects of Japan and Japanese culture.
Celebrate Summer the Japan Way
If you’re in Japan for just a few weeks or spending a longer time here as an intern, Tokyo’s summer festivals are a great way to experience the city beyond your usual daily routine. Blending tradition with a bit of modern flair, these events are your chance to see what local life and culture are really about.
Even going to just one can give you a new perspective, some great memories, and a break from the usual workday rhythm. So, throw on a yukata, explore something new, and see where Tokyo’s summer energy takes you!
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🎏 Did these festivals spark your excitement and make you want to experience life in Japan firsthand? Why not combine cultural discovery with career growth through an internship in Japan? Explore your options, build your future, and create unforgettable summer memories along the way.
👉 Apply now or get in touch to learn more about how to make your dreams a reality!
