Tokyo offers a variety of exciting events and festivals throughout the year. This calendar lists the main annual events in the city, with estimated dates where necessary.
Table of Contents
January
Emperor's New Year's Greeting
Data: January 02
Place: Palácio Imperial
Description: A rare event in which the Emperor makes a public appearance and greets the citizens, a tradition of welcoming the new year.
Tokyo Auto Salon
Data: Beginning of January (between January 8 and 10)
Place: Makuhari Messe
Description: One of the largest modified car shows in the world, with displays of tuned vehicles and automotive products.
Sumo Basho - New Year
Data: January 8 to 22
Place: Ryogoku Kokugikan
Description: The first sumo tournament of the year, attracting fans from all over Japan to watch the greatest fighters battle it out.
February
Season of the Umezeiros (Plum Trees)
Data: Beginning of February to beginning of March
Place: Parks and temples throughout the city
Description: The season of the plum trees blooms at the end of winter, announcing the arrival of spring with beautiful landscapes.
Tokyo Marathon
Data: End of February
Place: Various points around the city
Description: One of the most popular marathons in the world, bringing together professional and amateur runners to compete on the streets of Tokyo.
March
Saint Patrick's Parade
Data: Around March 15
Place: Omotesando
Description: A celebration of St. Patrick's Day, with a colorful parade paying homage to Irish culture in the heart of Tokyo.
Cherry Blossom Season
Data: End of March to mid-April
Place: Tokyo Parks (Ueno, Shinjuku Gyoen, etc.)
Description: The famous cherry blossom season, which attracts millions of people to ire the beauty of the bright pink flowers.
April
Earth Day in Tokyo
Data: Mid-April
Place: Yoyogi Park
Description: An event dedicated to environmental awareness, featuring workshops, organic food stalls, and activities focused on sustainability.
Nakizumo - Crying Baby Festival
Data: End of April (around the 29th)
Place: Sensoji Temple
Description: A traditional competition where babies are put face to face to see which one cries the loudest, in a good luck ritual.
Maio
Meiji Shrine - Spring Festival
Data: May 2 to 3
Place: Santuário Meiji
Description: A traditional festival that celebrates the arrival of spring with Shinto ceremonies and performances of traditional dances.
Sumo Basho - Summer
Data: May 8 to 22
Place: Ryogoku Kokugikan
Description: The second major sumo tournament of the year, offering more exciting matches at the traditional Ryogoku stadium.
Sanja Matsuri
Data: Third weekend of May
Place: Sensoji Temple
Description: One of the grandest festivals in Tokyo, with processions of portable shrines (mikoshi) through the streets of Asakusa.
June
Rainy Season (Tsuyu)
Data: Beginning of June to mid-July
Place: Regions of Tokyo and surrounding areas
Description: Tokyo's rainy season, marked by periods of intense rainfall that precede the summer.
Sanno Matsuri
Data: First half of June (event held in even years)
Place: Hie Shrine
Description: A historic festival celebrating prosperity and peace in Tokyo, with traditional parades throughout the city.
July
Beach Season in Tokyo
Data: July 18 to August 31
Place: Beaches of Tokyo Bay
Description: Tokyo's official beach season, with seaside events, water sports and leisure activities for all the family.
Sumidagawa Hanabi (Fireworks)
Data: Last Saturday of July
Place: Asakusa
Description: One of Japan's biggest fireworks festivals, lighting up the Tokyo sky with thousands of spectacular fireworks.
Shinjuku Eisa Matsuri
Data: End of July
Place: Shinjuku
Description: A traditional dance festival inspired by the rituals of Okinawa, with groups performing through the busy streets of Shinjuku.
August
Edogawa Hanabi (Fireworks)
Data: beginning of august
Place: Parque Shinozaki
Description: A fireworks display that lights up the sky in the Edogawa region, creating a magical night along the river.
Itabashi Hanabi
Data: beginning of august
Place: Itabashi
Description: Another great fireworks show, known for its colorful displays and the participation of thousands of spectators.
Sendai Tanabata Matsuri
Data: August 06 to 08
Place: Sendai
Description: The Tanabata festival celebrates the meeting of the stars Altair and Vega, with colorful decorations filling the streets.
Summer Sonic
Data: Second half of August
Place: Makuhari Messe
Description: One of Japan's biggest music festivals, with international and local acts performing a mix of musical genres.
Asakusa Samba Carnival
Data: Last Saturday of August
Place: Asakusa
Description: A vibrant samba parade that turns Asakusa into a Brazilian carnival, with music, dancing and colorful costumes.
September
Sumo Basho - Autumn
Data: September 10 to 24
Place: Ryogoku Kokugikan
Description: The third major sumo tournament of the year, marking the start of fall with epic battles between the best fighters.
Hibiya Oktoberfest
Data: Mid-September
Place: Hibiya Park
Description: A festival inspired by the traditional German Oktoberfest, with craft beers and typical foods.
Tokyo Game Show
Data: End of September
Place: Makuhari Messe
Description: Japan's largest electronic games fair, where the latest releases from the games industry are presented.
October
Tokyo Yosakoi Contest
Data: beginning of october
Place: Ikebukuro
Description: A Yosakoi dance competition that mixes traditional elements with modern choreography, attracting teams from all over Japan.
CEATEC
Data: First week of October
Place: Makuhari Messe
Description: The CEATEC technology fair showcases the latest innovations in technology, electronics, and AI.
Shibuya Halloween
Data: October 31st
Place: Shibuya
Description: One of the biggest Halloween events in Japan, thousands of people dress up and take to the streets of Shibuya for a night of partying.
November
Autumn in Tokyo (colored leaves)
Data: Beginning of November to mid-December
Place: Tokyo Parks
Description: The season of colorful autumn leaves, with stunning scenery in parks such as Shinjuku Gyoen and Rikugien Park.
Meiji Shrine - Autumn Festival
Data: November 1st to 3rd
Place: Santuário Meiji
Description: An autumn festival that celebrates the harvest and prosperity, with cultural performances and traditional rituals.
Christmas lights
Data: Beginning of November to early January
Place: Various areas of the city (Roppongi, Shibuya, Ginza)
Description: The streets of Tokyo are lit up with impressive Christmas decorations, creating a magical atmosphere throughout the city.
December
Chichibu Night Festival
Data: December 2nd to 3rd
Place: Chichibu
Description: One of Japan's biggest night festivals, known for its procession of illuminated floats and fireworks.
Emperor's Birthday
Data: December 23
Place: Palácio Imperial
Description: A celebration in honor of the Emperor's birthday, with special events at the Imperial Palace.
